Oregon sued over governor’s mask mandate

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) has been sued by a conservative think tank over her mandate that people wear masks in public amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Freedom Foundation on Thursday announced that is was asking the Oregon Court of Appeals for an emergency stay on Brown’s mandate to allow the court more to time examine the legality of measure.

“Governors in left-leaning states all over the country are making up the rules as they go – and ignoring the procedural rules their own state laws set up,” Jason Dudash, the Freedom Foundation’s Oregon director, said in a statement.

In its complaint, the group argues that the governor and the Oregon Health Authority didn’t follow the correct procedures when putting the mask mandate in place.

In late June, Brown ordered that masks should be worn in public indoor spaces in seven of the state’s counties. On July 1, her initial order was expanded to the whole state and on July 15, she extended the order to include public outdoor spaces. Starting Friday, kids 5 and older also have to abide by the rule.

Freedom Foundation spokesperson Ashley Varner told The Oregonian that the group believes that Brown needs the state legislature’s approval to enact her mandate.

In contrast, Brown’s spokesperson Charles Boyle told the paper that Brown’s mandate was above board.

“Face coverings save lives,” Boyle said. “The virus is transmitted through droplets that come from your nose and mouth. Face coverings protect you, your friends, and neighbors from contracting this deadly disease. And the more people who wear face coverings while out in public, the more likely it is that we can keep businesses open.”