The mandatory imposition of face masks is the government arbitrarily imposing a restriction on personal liberty

The decision of the Northern Ireland executive to make the wearing of face masks mandatory is both draconian and an abuse of power.
By Richard Ferguson
Published 1st Sep 2020, 16:57 BST
Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

I say this based on the following considerations:

There has been absolutely no evidence produced to show that the wearing of masks is effective.

I would directly challenge the executive ministers who support this monstrous imposition, if there is credible scientific evidence to support wearing face masks then make it available to the people of Northern Ireland so that they can form their own judgement.

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It is not good enough that decisions such as this should be taken on hearsay or the preference of individual ministers. I suspect that like most things concerning coronavirus fear and paranoia are the real drivers behind this move.

The wearing of masks is sinister and threatening.

Are we really approaching the stage where, for example, masked terrorists could freely roam the country gathering intelligence and engaging in criminal activity under the guise of adhering to health and safety regulations while a mother not wearing a mask is treated like a criminal and turned away from a shop while out getting the family groceries?

That might sound extreme to some but the covering of one’s face and the legitimising of concealing one’s identity is surely of great benefit to criminals and those bent on law breaking.

Mandatory imposition of face masks risks criminalising ordinary citizens while providing cover and protection to those who are the real criminals.

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It is a gross abuse of power because it is not within the remit of any government to arbitrarily impose laws on citizens which amount to nothing more than a restriction on personal liberty.

It is excessive because unnecessary as the impact of this virus has been grossly exaggerated and blown out of all proportion by the media and politicians.

It is long past time that the executive instead of playing to the gallery demonstrated real leadership by scrapping the furlough scheme, getting people back to work and ending this wholly unnecessary charade.

I for one will not be wearing a face mask and I hope that people do not feel pressurised into complying with this arbitrary and excessive regulation.

Richard Ferguson, Dollingstown

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Related topics:Northern Ireland