Media Tip Sheets

Mask Bans are a Heavy Burden for People with Disabilities

Wednesday, June 26, 2024, By Ellen Mbuqe
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced she was considering banning face masks in the New York subways, based on concerns about people hiding their faces while committing antisemitic crimes. Additionally, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she was thinking about similar bans after fights broke out in front of a synagogue on Sunday.
Reporters looking for anyone to discuss the issues around limitations for face masks, please consider Associate Professor of Law Katherine Macfarlane, the director of the disability law and policy program at Syracuse University College of Law.
To give you a sense of her perspective, Professor Macfarlane said:
  • “The bans would pose an immediate risk to people with disabilities who need to wear masks to protect themselves—from airborne illnesses like COVID-19, for example. It is difficult to imagine how a disabled person would be able to convincingly defend their mask-wearing to a police officer,” said Macfarlane. “Even if an exception to the bans were created for people with disabilities, the bans would still force people to disclose a disability they would rather keep confidential. And if an officer doesn’t believe them (as so often happens to people with invisible disabilities), what happens—they’re arrested?”
To arrange an interview, please contact Ellen James Mbuqe, executive director of media relations, at ejmbuqe@syr.edu.