Mask wearing has become about public health, courtesy and a mark of consideration for others. I'm one of those that have had their first coronavirus vaccine shot – but I still wear a mask when out in public. However, I have issues with the recent High Court pronouncement that requires people to wear masks even while they are alone in private cars. This news prompted a lot of reactions from the tweeple as well, of course.
The High Court dismissed all petitions challenging challans that were imposed in cases of people not wearing a mask while alone in their private cars. The court held that a car is not a private space but a public space when it is on a road or other public area.
This order goes too far, felt the tweeple. Next, they may decide to have even more extreme rules.
The point of wearing a mask is that the virus doesn’t spread from one to another person via water droplets from speaking, coughing, sneezing etc. How is this applicable in case of a lone person?
Many don’t use the AC while driving and this could make them vulnerable to the aerosolised virus. Chance encounters may also increase risk, as this tweet points out.
We usually see the police fining the public on insignificant infringements, on holidays and so on. This ruling will weaponise this sort of harassment, feel people.
…Election rallies? There have been no strictures for the massive election rallies in the four states where polls are currently underway.
There is zero social distancing and few masks to be seen at these places.
People questioned the categorization of a private car as a ‘public space’, while the concept of public and private differs in other cases.
This should be a decision taken on the basis of medical evidence and not legal definitions. Unnecessary mask-wearing could exacerbate breathing issues and cause skin problems and so on.
Those in positions of authority or influence are frequently seen to flout rules that regular folk are expected to adhere to.
While people in vehicles could be fined, there are multitudes on the street who go around without masks, it was pointed out.
Many, annoyed at the characterization of a private car as a ‘public space’ had these sarcastic responses.
People are annoyed with politicians who say one thing that do something completely different and self-serving.
The High Court’s directive for people to wear masks even when alone in private vehicles is unreasonable and will likely result in harassment. As is usually the case, this is a directive that will be enforced in the case of the common people. Those with power and influence will still do what they want.
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