Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Aug 6, 2024 23:30:53 GMT
PANDEMIC MITIGATION COLLABORATIVE - RE: MASK BAN EXEMPTION FOR HEALTH, RELIGION, AND CELEBRATION - Published August 5, 2024
To Whom It May Concern:
I have provided this letter of support for anyone wearing a mask in a region that has enacted a general mask
ban to document their eligibility for an exemption. Most legislation includes (a) medical, public health, and
science exemptions, (b) religious exemptions, and (c) celebratory exemptions. A printed or e-copy version of
this letter provides the individual with all three exemptions.
Medical Science Exemption: As the Director of a health science PhD program who has completed a medical
research degree (MSCR), serves in many national and international health leadership positions, has published
>100 peer-reviewed scientific articles, and has reviewed >$100 million in medical research grant applications, I
am fully aware of the science on masking. Through multiple mechanisms, a well-fitting high-quality mask
greatly protects an individual from the risk of airborne illnesses, including the spread of COVID-19, which often
spreads from asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic individuals. I mask in all public indoor spaces, which has
protected me well from illness for 4.5 years and counting. In my role at the Director of the Pandemic Mitigation
Collaborative, I closely monitor national wastewater surveillance data on viral transmission, and our models
estimate that the U.S. is currently experiencing 1 million SARS-CoV-2 infections per day, with transmission the
remainder of 2024 likely comparable to much worse. As repeat infections increase the cumulative risk of
experiencing serious outcomes, including Long COVID, masking is a wise choice for anyone who cares about
their own health or that of their family or community. Masking is particularly important for individuals with known
medical vulnerabilities that probabilistically increase the likelihood of a serious outcome from the acute
infection. In sum, all people have the civil right to mask given the ongoing state of COVID-19.
Religious Exemption: When I heard of this legislation earlier this year, I became ordained as a minister
through the Universal Life Church and encourage all individuals who identify with a religion, faith, spiritual
perspective, or world view to mask to protect themselves and their communities from COVID-19. An excerpt of
the ULC Mission follows: “The ULC champions religious freedom, social justice, and spiritual expression….
Furthermore, we’ve made it our mission to spread these freedoms far and wide, empowering people of all
walks of life to take up the work of ministry on their own terms, and in ways that make the most sense for
them…. the ULC welcomes you just as you are, whoever you are and hopes to empower you to explore your
faith however you see fit.” All individuals who identify as such are empowered with a religious exemption.
Celebratory Purposes Exemption: As a resident of New Orleans, we are known for Mardi Gras, parades, the
French Quarter, festivals, events, and revelry. Such events often involve masks, and in 2020, our cultural
behavior evolved to include medical masks and respirators to protect ourselves from COVID-19 during social
interactions. Any social interaction that is safer during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic due to mask wearing
should be deemed celebratory, and the mask a “celebratory mask.” If law enforcement perceives a mask as
insufficiently celebratory, I will send the individual a 3M Aura safely branded with a Fleur-de-lis dry transfer
sticker, blessed over a dish of red beans and rice. In the meantime, celebrate using the current mask.
Sincerely,
Michael Hoerger, PhD, MSCR, MBA
Director, Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative
To Whom It May Concern:
I have provided this letter of support for anyone wearing a mask in a region that has enacted a general mask
ban to document their eligibility for an exemption. Most legislation includes (a) medical, public health, and
science exemptions, (b) religious exemptions, and (c) celebratory exemptions. A printed or e-copy version of
this letter provides the individual with all three exemptions.
Medical Science Exemption: As the Director of a health science PhD program who has completed a medical
research degree (MSCR), serves in many national and international health leadership positions, has published
>100 peer-reviewed scientific articles, and has reviewed >$100 million in medical research grant applications, I
am fully aware of the science on masking. Through multiple mechanisms, a well-fitting high-quality mask
greatly protects an individual from the risk of airborne illnesses, including the spread of COVID-19, which often
spreads from asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic individuals. I mask in all public indoor spaces, which has
protected me well from illness for 4.5 years and counting. In my role at the Director of the Pandemic Mitigation
Collaborative, I closely monitor national wastewater surveillance data on viral transmission, and our models
estimate that the U.S. is currently experiencing 1 million SARS-CoV-2 infections per day, with transmission the
remainder of 2024 likely comparable to much worse. As repeat infections increase the cumulative risk of
experiencing serious outcomes, including Long COVID, masking is a wise choice for anyone who cares about
their own health or that of their family or community. Masking is particularly important for individuals with known
medical vulnerabilities that probabilistically increase the likelihood of a serious outcome from the acute
infection. In sum, all people have the civil right to mask given the ongoing state of COVID-19.
Religious Exemption: When I heard of this legislation earlier this year, I became ordained as a minister
through the Universal Life Church and encourage all individuals who identify with a religion, faith, spiritual
perspective, or world view to mask to protect themselves and their communities from COVID-19. An excerpt of
the ULC Mission follows: “The ULC champions religious freedom, social justice, and spiritual expression….
Furthermore, we’ve made it our mission to spread these freedoms far and wide, empowering people of all
walks of life to take up the work of ministry on their own terms, and in ways that make the most sense for
them…. the ULC welcomes you just as you are, whoever you are and hopes to empower you to explore your
faith however you see fit.” All individuals who identify as such are empowered with a religious exemption.
Celebratory Purposes Exemption: As a resident of New Orleans, we are known for Mardi Gras, parades, the
French Quarter, festivals, events, and revelry. Such events often involve masks, and in 2020, our cultural
behavior evolved to include medical masks and respirators to protect ourselves from COVID-19 during social
interactions. Any social interaction that is safer during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic due to mask wearing
should be deemed celebratory, and the mask a “celebratory mask.” If law enforcement perceives a mask as
insufficiently celebratory, I will send the individual a 3M Aura safely branded with a Fleur-de-lis dry transfer
sticker, blessed over a dish of red beans and rice. In the meantime, celebrate using the current mask.
Sincerely,
Michael Hoerger, PhD, MSCR, MBA
Director, Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative