Protesters in at least 10 states demand end to coronavirus lock down – anger going viral

 The protests underscored how antsy some are getting to return to a sense of normalcy after the coronavirus, which has infected nearly 1.1 million people in America, shuttered businesses across an array of industries and pushed more than 30 million Americans into unemployment. Though some demonstrations were lightly attended, demonstrations occurred in state capitols and cities in California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Tennessee and Washington. Several protesters told local media that shutdown orders were imposing too great an economic burden after pushing many small businesses to shutter. “Businesses are suffering, unemployment checks are not being sent, landlords are not getting rent. We feel like these directives are causing more suffering than is necessary,” New Jersey protester Ayla Wolf told NJ.com.

State and local governments have included a requirement that people wear masks in at least some circumstances as part of their reopening plans. In Stillwater, many people objecting to the mask requirement cited their belief that the rule is unconstitutional, City Manager Norman McNickle said in the news release and first reported by the Stillwater News Press. McNickle noted that a federal court in Oklahoma City dismissed a lawsuit challenging the city of Guthrie’s mask requirement. The judge ruled the plaintiffs lacked standing to sue but did not rule on the constitutionality of the mask requirement, court records show.

McNickle said wearing a mask is a minor inconvenience that protects the person wearing it and anyone they encounter. “The City of Stillwater has attempted to keep people safe by the simple requirement to wear a face covering to protect others,” McNickle wrote. “It is unfortunate and distressing that those who refuse and threaten violence are so self-absorbed as to not follow what is a simple show of respect and kindness to others.” McNickle said officials could not, in good conscience, put store and restaurant employees in danger. Stillwater’s stores are asked to at least encourage customers to wear masks, and specific businesses can choose to have more restrictive requirements.  –Washington Post