Jefferson Parish’s Mask Order

After 3 months of shutdowns and restrictions, we find ourselves faced with a mask “proclamation”. Never mind that it was found to be useless and perhaps even harmful when they went back and analyzed mask ordinances during the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918*. 102 years later and apparently we haven’t learned much. Regardless, this is where we’re at so let’s cover it:
(bonus points if you’ve caught all the puns thus far)

⇛ First of all, familiarize yourself with the order: jeffparish.net/press-releases/jefferson-parish-issues-guidance-for-the-use-of-face-coverings/06-30-yyyy 

Worth noting:

• Masks are required upon entering and exiting a restaurant or bar but not while sitting at a table.
• Masks are required upon entering and exiting a gym but not while exercising.
• The following individuals are exempt from wearing a mask or face covering:
  • Children younger than two years old.
  • Individuals with a medical condition, mental health condition or disability that prevents wearing a face covering.
• This order also excludes schools, summer camps and daycares, as they should follow guidance set forth by the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Department of Education.

*If you have a health condition/disability, you DO NOT have to wear a mask! And you DO NOT need to say what you have, or provide any “proof”. That would go against your right to medical privacy known as HIPAA.* 

⇛ You should know that these measures are UNCONSTITUTIONAL. The Louisiana Constitution clearly states that

“all government… is instituted to protect the rights of the individual and for the good of the whole.”

Mandating an individual to do something in order to supposedly protect another violates the individual’s rights. Our constitution was written to prevent such orders, laws, and infringements.

⇛ Even during states of emergency, orders cannot violate our state’s constitution:

“Nothing in this Chapter shall be interpreted to diminish the rights guaranteed to all persons under the Declaration of Rights of the Louisiana Constitution or the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution.”

RS 29:736

And straight from Louisiana’s Declaration of Rights:

§12. Freedom from Discrimination
Section 12. In access to public areas, accommodations, and facilities, every person shall be free from discrimination based on race, religion, or national ancestry and from arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable discrimination based on age, sex, or physical condition.

⇛ Further, pertaining to children, this order violates The Louisiana Children’s Code. The Children’s Code clearly states:

“… that parents should make the decisions regarding… the MEDICAL, psychiatric, surgical, and PREVENTIVE health care of the child…”   

Mask wearing is a medical intervention, not an emergency measure, but instead it is purported to be a PREVENTIVE measure. So who should make such decisions for the child? The parent.

And as for it being a safe or effective preventive measure, note that there have been ZERO studies showing long term use in children is either of those.
There are, however, numerous studies, commentaries, and articles showing that masks can cause significant harm and have not been proven to provide significant protection for a respiratory virus epidemic: healthfreedomla.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Mask-Studies-Rev.pdf 

Additionally, what about all the adults and children who cannot wear a mask due to health/medical conditions? Conditions like asthma, COPD, reactive airway disease, anxiety, PTSD, just to name a few. Coupled with Jefferson Parish’s “See It, Say It” reporting hotline” – 

This type of order puts these vulnerable people at risk of being vilified, discriminated against, harassed, as well as having the medical privacy rights afforded to them by HIPAA violated. 

So instead of doing that let’s stick to proven, safe measures like hand-washing, that do not come with nasty side effects, physical or otherwise.

THEREFORE, ALL JEFFERSON PARISH RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING:

As sheriff, he has the authority AND DUTY to uphold our state’s constitution; he does not report to the parish president, mayor, or governor. He is an elected official and answers to YOU. 

Sheriffs and local governments around the country have been standing up for civil liberties and constitutional rights and against these restrictive measures. He must do the same!

Do not be shy about calling! Be persistent! Don’t wait for them to call you back (they may not). Of course be kind and respectful, but steadfast. 

And lastly, want all this to end? 

You can look up your legislator here (it’s the one that says Louisiana House): legis.la.gov/legis/FindMyLegislators.aspx 

And if you or the sheriff need some encouragement, check out what’s happening across the country:

Sheriffs and Local Governments Are Standing Up & Speaking Out

WASHINGTON STATE
‘Don’t be a sheep’: Washington Sheriff Urges Residents to Defy Mask Order
Lewis County Sheriff Robert Snaza, Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza, Klickitat County Sheriff Bob Songer, Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office have all spoken out against the governor’s orders and said they will not enforce them. nypost.com/2020/06/25/washington-state-sheriff-urges-residents-to-defy-mask-order 

WISCONSIN
Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling: “I took an oath to uphold the constitutional rights of our citizens and I cannot in good faith participate in the destruction of Racine County businesses or interfere in the freedoms granted to all of us by our Constitution.” cnsnews.com/article/national/michael-w-chapman/wisc-sheriff-i-wont-assist-destruction-businesses-or-peoples 

ARIZONA
Multiple Town Leaders and Sheriffs Will Not Enforce Mask Orders
Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot: “And so I must inform you that my office does not have the resources to respond to calls for enforcement action regarding the failure to wear face coverings.”

azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-health/2020/06/19/arizona-communities-debate-how-enforce-mask-mandates/3219181001/ 

NEVADA 
Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam: “It would be inappropriate for deputies to criminally enforce Governor Sisolak’s mask mandate or social distancing. Due to the minor nature of the offenses, the potential for negative encounters, and various ways the order could be violated our deputies will instead continue in an educational capacity in partnership with the Washoe County Board of Health.” facebook.com/washoesheriff/posts/10157143979316611 

CALIFORNIA
More than 10 Sheriff’s Departments and Local Governments in CA Say They Won’t Enforce Newsom’s Mask Order
In a statement from both the Sacramento and Nevada City Sheriff’s Offices: “[D]ue to the minor nature of the offense, the potential for negative outcomes during enforcement encounters, and anticipating the various ways in which the order may be violated, it would be inappropriate for deputies to criminally enforce the Governor’s mandate. Accordingly, the Sheriff’s Office will not be doing so. Rather, we will continue to operate in an educational capacity in partnership with the County Health Office.”

“The Placerville Police Department will not be enforcing face coverings. We ask that you use common sense and keep yourself safe. Please do not call dispatch to report others not wearing masks. This is not a police issue.”

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco: “I refuse to make criminals out of business owners, single moms, and otherwise healthy individuals who are exercising their constitutional rights.”
sacsheriff.com/media/Release.aspx?id=2016, facebook.com/NCPDCA/posts/4482096408482896, facebook.com/PlacervillePolice/posts/1405937356272074, foxnews.com/politics/california-resist-newsom-face-mask-order 

NORTH CAROLINA
County Sheriffs Near Charlotte Call New NC Mask Mandate ‘Unenforceable’
Most of the county sheriffs (at least 15) in the Charlotte area said they will not enforce the new state order that requires people to wear face coverings in public areas.

Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp: “The wearing of a mask is a personal decision, not one of a governor in Raleigh.”

Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell: “I firmly believe that the order mandating face coverings is not only unconstitutional but unenforceable. We have no intention of enforcing this order nor can we enforce this order.”
charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article243825872.html 

MICHIGAN
4 Sheriffs Defy Governor’s Orders
“We write today to inform the public for our respective counties of our opposition to some of Governor Whitmer’s executive orders. While we understand her desire to protect the public, we question some restrictions that she has imposed as overstepping her executive authority” washingtonexaminer.com/news/overstepping-her-executive-authority-four-michigan-sheriffs-defy-michigan-democratic-gov-whitmers-stay-at-home-order 

NEW MEXICO
New Mexico Leaders Challenge New Mexico Governor’s Face Mask Mandate
Chaves County Sheriff Mike Herrington: “My department will not be out citing anyone for not wearing a mask, I will not be enforcing any of those orders.” themarshallproject.org/2020/05/18/the-rise-of-the-anti-lockdown-sheriffs 

Eddy County Sheriff Mark Cage: “This is America. Make your own decisions, make your own informed decisions as an adult. If I am not wearing a mask and you feel that you could be compromised by being around me not wearing a mask, then you have the right to move away from me.” currentargus.com/story/news/2020/05/14/new-mexico-face-mask-mandate-challenged-eddy-county-sheriff-lawmakers/5192243002/ 

Sheriffs Ask AG Barr to Review New Mexico Health Orders
State Republican Party Chairman Steve Pearce and New Mexico Sheriffs’ Association President Tony Mace each sent letters to Barr last week seeking a review into the health orders. They allege the order, which has closed several small businesses, violates residents’ civil rights.

“We want to express our fears and frustrations regarding New Mexico Gov. Lujan Grisham’s public health order, a policy many in our state believe to be a blatant violation of peoples’ civil rights, liberties and their right to conduct free commerce,” Pearce wrote. mercurynews.com/2020/05/09/sheriffs-ask-ag-barr-to-review-new-mexico-health-orders/