My graduate school just announced that specifically because vaccine mandates are not allowed in my state (they literally said something along the lines of "unfortunately we cannot mandate vaccines for our staff and students to stop the spread of omicron") they are implementing a temporary (we know how this ends) mask mandate instead for the first month of school to "curb the spread of omicron."
I'm not going to wear a mask ever.
and I'm really nervous about it since I'm bad at social confrontation and my school is particularly trigger happy about reprimanding students for not following rules. What should I say in case they threaten to kick me out of the classroom for wanting to breath fresh air? I want to say I have medical and religious complications but they might default to some sort of "well since we announced the mandate before school started, it was your duty to file an exemption before coming" or something like that. Not sure what to do.
I'm just really nervous especially since they suddenly sprung this mandate a few days before the first class and would appreciate some advice right now. Thanks.
You're a grad student?
This is pathetic.
I'd suggest you quit your program and go do some physical labor until your testosterone increases.
If you're a woman I'd suggest you quit and find a quality husband
There has to be something I could do or say to not wear a mask because I really cannot comply. The last time I had to wear a mask was for a professor meeting where I had to run out of the room to breathe and then told the professor I have to cancel due to anxiety and suffocation. That was the only time in these past two years I wore a mask and if I wear one now, I don't think I can come up with an exemption since I complied now. The problem is that I don't have any official stuff to back me up and it won't work if I say no at first and then pussy out later.
Gather up the data that shows that masks are useless, print it out, and keep it in a binder. Show it to the person who confronts you. If you can find data that comes from the CDC or NIH, that's even better.
For example: the coronavirus is 1 micron. The holes in masks are 3 microns. You are literally trying to stop a mosquito with a chain-link fence.
Don't forget to show photos from the side of the mask box that says that these masks are not to be used for coronaviruses.
Also, include the negatives of constant mask-wearing, like bacteria pneumonia.
Make it impossible for them to hold their position, while educating them at the same time. You might even red-pill someone in the process.
Good luck, fren!
Two options. The easier one, do you have asthma? That’s protected under ADA and they are REQUIRED to accommodate you, you could then offer something like a faceshield as an alternative. I work at a university, been back on campus for a year now as the only non masked. The tougher one is making the argument that masks for covid are not FDA approved for that use, they are still under EUA and by federal law informed consent must be received. Both of these points are correct but one is more straightforward than the second.
I don't have any official records of asthma but I had to wear a mask during a professor meeting once last year and had to run out of the room to breathe and then told the professor I can't continue the meeting due to suffocation and anxiety. Not sure how valid that will be in the moment if they get confrontational.
Maybe see your primary care doc, tell them you have been experiencing situations like that (which would require a rescue inhaler) and then whether you are diagnosed with asthma or not the perception for the inhaler itself can serve as medical documentation of your condition. Then proceed accordingly as above.
I'm lawfully exempt
If they are going to force their mask kinks on you, demand they wear heels and a buttplug first. fair is fair.
Anyone that is being forced to mask should get the V for Vendetta mask
Practice your social confrontation skills. You'll get better at it. Just calmly insist on your rights.
Another option in the meantime, might be the offensively fake mask from fakemaskworldwide.com, but while it complies legally, people get mad because it looks really dumb.
But I'd also consider taking a break from academia. The writing's on the wall for big changes coming, and shrinking as a sector. Good luck.
This might sound a little dumb but what rights specifically should I mention and insist on? I'm planning on just saying "religious and health related complications" and hope that's enough. My biggest concern is that they may pull off a "you violated student code of conduct by not adhering to the dean's mandate" type of attack which I don't know what to do about.
Just your right to control your own face. Whatever you're comfortable defending. If you don't defend anything, you won't have anything. Masks cause you harm, so it's self-defense: explain it however you need to.
One strategy is to say "OK" or "Noted" to everything, but just never actually put one on... they confront you again say "OK" "Noted" and then do nothing. Are they going to force you physically?
Threats to kick you out? ask for it in writing, they are bound to make a mistake, like not giving you a reasonably amount of time to respond or whatever. They have no rights to force a mask on you. Ask for proof of efficacy (none exists).
Or you could remain silent and just never put one on. They rant and rave? remain silent and walk away.
Maybe get a gopro camera an wear that. Have courage. Even if you are physically forced out you have a suit to bring. and it might be the best thing to ever happen to you. Never give in, resolve that now.
Look up Fauchi's paper on face masks used during Spanish flu causing most of the deaths.
Use Fauchi's own words against them.
I'm thinking I might combine this https://childrenshealthdefense.org/wp-content/uploads/notice-for-employers-universities-and-other-institutions-mandating-covid-19-masks8.31.21.pdf
with a religious exemption claim and see how it goes. Hopefully it works. Thank you so much for the info. Will update later.