Protect Jewish Safety: Oppose Mask Bans!
Banning masks won’t stop antisemitism, but it will put Jews in immediate danger. Add your voice to say #NoNYMaskBan!
Mask Bans Put Us at Risk
Banning masks won't stop antisemitism, but it will immediately harm the health of New Yorkers, visitors, and commuters.
Masking is for everyone. People wear masks to protect their health, avoid long COVID, and protect their community. There are no workable health exemptions when everyone has the right to protect their health. Since anyone can get COVID-19, everyone deserves the right to wear a mask.
The push for mask bans predates the 2024 conversation. Republican politicians in NY have pushed mask bans since 2021. Mask ban proponents may use Jewish pain as justification, but this was never about our safety.
A mask ban would increase COVID risk for all, especially for the 75% of Americans at high risk. Doing this to “protect” Jews – 20% of whom have a disability and many of whom mask for safety – is beyond the pale.
About NY’s Mask Bans
Comments from Signees
Make Your Voice Heard
Once you’ve signed our letter, join us in urging Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, and New York State and NYC elected officials to uphold the right of all New Yorkers to wear a mask.
Sign Your Name
We will display only your name and title only to relevant elected officials upon delivering the letter. We may contact you for future organizing and use parts of your comments anonymously on social media. Please contact us with any questions.
If you are unable to sign via our Google Form, you may fill out our alternate submission form.
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Dear Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams,
We write to you as Jewish New Yorkers, commuters, and potential tourists who are deeply concerned to learn that both the governor and the mayor of NYC support banning face masks on the subway and in other public places, even as COVID-19, as well as other viruses and pollution, continue to harm New Yorkers. We are particularly horrified that such bans could be enacted in the name of “combating antisemitism.” Mask bans are a direct violation of Jewish values as well as being ableist, infringing upon First Amendment rights, and putting all New Yorkers in danger.
Masks are essential tools for health. We oppose any legislation that compromises our safety, or that of our congregants and community members, under the guise of security. Everyone—whether ill, immunocompromised, disabled, an older adult, or simply exercising caution—must be allowed to wear masks to help protect themselves and others from illness. A mask ban claiming to protect Jews from antisemitic acts would only place them in greater danger…
Nassau County is on the brink of passing dangerous mask ban legislation under the guise of protecting Jewish safety. This bill threatens jail time and $1,000 fines for wearing face masks. Even with exemptions, law enforcement can demand mask removal, potentially exposing high-risk individuals to COVID in the process. Let’s prove the Nassau County Jewish community rejects this narrative!
CovidAdvocacyNY has a toolkit to take immediate action: