Mask Mandates Won’t Fly. North carolina won’t comply.

Published: Sep 18, 2023

Our Stand: At-A-Glance

  • Stand for Health Freedom and HEALNC believe that wearing a mask should be an individual’s choice. Mandatory mask policies are an insult to constitutional rights.
  • The White House has recently rumbled with rumors of bringing back mandates with this fall’s new, inevitable variant. Some school systems, colleges and hospitals are now demanding masks again for access. It’s likely that these mandates will spread to North Carolina.
  • Masks can affect speech development in children and have psychological ramifications in both children and adults.
  • We still don’t know the effects of rebreathing your own exhaled carbon dioxide or the resulting reduction in oxygen intake. It’s unclear what harms may come from known carcinogens in masks or whether masks increase infection rates. Yet the CDC continues to encourage masking.
  • Lawsuits have been filed across the country to challenge mandatory masks and many were won. Significantly, mask mandates for air travel were struck down as unconstitutional.
  • The NC legislature is finishing up the 2023 session in the coming weeks. This campaign is a request for them to act promptly and creatively to find a way to prevent mask mandates this fall.
  • Send your senator and representative a very short email paraphrasing this statement: I am counting on you to protect me and my family from unconstitutional mask mandates. Masks create more health problems than they prevent, and they create fear and discord in society. The 2023 session is coming to a close. Please act promptly and creatively to protect our right to choose before the 2023 session ends.
    • NOTE: We ask that you write your own email and subject line because some of the legislative assistants will block emails if they have the same subject line or body text. Feel free to add your own thoughts or make your letter even shorter. Please keep it polite.
  • For more resources on masks, click our Mask FAQ here.

Have A Question?

View Our FAQs

Masks are starting to be mandated again this fall across the country.

Do I have to wear a mask again? Should I just wear a mask to avoid being heckled or harassed? What if wearing a mask makes me feel unwell? These are just a few of the questions that people are still grappling with as rumors surge of mask and COVID restrictions returning.

Here’s the answer: You decide what is best for your health and the health of your family.

Stand for Health Freedom and HEALNC believe that wearing a mask should be an individual’s choice. Mandatory mask policies are an insult to constitutional rights.

Enforcement is emotional

In 2020-2022, those who were seen in public without a mask were judged and discriminated against. Judgment doesn’t ask questions about an individual’s medical needs or question the common sense of trying to stop something you can’t see with the naked eye using a porous piece of cloth or paper. Harassment and discrimination thrived while fellow Americans policed each other, creating an environment of fear. We can stop that from happening again.

Masks are not proven effective and can even cause considerable harm

Click here to do a deep dive on the extensive published science behind the harms of masking, through Greenmedinfo.com.

For further research, including expert testimony and a glimpse at the research the CDC relies upon when they put out guidance, check out “Mask Charade” complied by independent researcher James Roguski.

Policy versus science

When people say the science is settled, what they really mean is they have made a policy decision and cherry-picked “science” to fit their agenda.

There are still unanswered questions and concerns about the harmful effect of masks in many areas. They can affect speech development in children and have psychological ramifications in both children and adults. We still don’t know the effects of rebreathing your own exhaled carbon dioxide or the dangers of the resulting reduction in oxygen intake. It’s unclear what harms may come from known carcinogens in masks or whether masks increase infection rates.

This echoes World Health Organization (WHO) guidance published on January 29, 2020, titled, “Advice on the use of masks in the community, during home care and in healthcare settings in the context of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak.” In it, the WHO says, “Wearing medical masks when not indicated may cause unnecessary cost, procurement burden and create a false sense of security that can lead to neglecting other essential measures such as hand hygiene practices.” Furthermore, the January 2020 WHO guidance stated, “Cloth (e.g., cotton or gauze) masks are not recommended under any circumstance.”

Individual health is the responsibility of the individual, not the state

With unbridled governmental control from 2020-2022 — under the guise of emergency orders needed to curb coronavirus — citizens from coast to coast saw their civil and religious rights trampled upon. An onslaught of executive orders has shaped nearly every aspect of our personal lives, from where we could go and what activities we were allowed to enjoy, to how we educated our children, earned a living, or worshipped.

Medical protocol was restricted, depriving doctors of the ability to practice medicine and removing Americans’ right to choose how to care for their health.

Although the government plays a role in controlling the spread of infectious illness, adults are responsible for their own health. Each person has the right to responsibly make choices about what precautions and perceived risks they take. Government officials cannot direct individual health decisions, and granting them this power is dangerous. Individuals are much more qualified than public servants to weigh the risks and benefits of their own personal actions. Even in the infamous case of Jacobson v. Massachusetts (1905), it was not held that government could force compliance with medical mandates. The court held that Henning Jacobson could be fined for not complying with a mandate, which is very different from saying government has the ability to ignore the constitutional right to informed consent.

Public officials should not impose mandates to seek compliance. Mandates perpetuate the idea that individuals lack the moral or intellectual capacity to make sound decisions for themselves and their children, so the state needs to do it for them. Individuals are capable of making responsible decisions and those decisions must take a person’s whole health into account.

Force, coercion, and censorship are the tools of tyrants. Our country was built on the foundation of open discussion and different ideas leading to the best possible outcomes for Americans, as bad ideas would weed themselves out. Truth and good ideas have no need for mandates.

The health of the individual cannot be sacrificed for the collective. We can only have a healthy society when that society is made up of healthy individuals. Health is a personal right and responsibility. It is not something that we should look to the government to bestow on us or guarantee.

So what do I do when I’m told to wear a mask, but I don’t want to?

Remember, you are in charge of your health and that of your family, and the CDC has no authority over you, your community, or your state. Mask mandates are being enforced by individuals, communities, and states who are falling in lockstep with policy decisions that the federal government itself has no authority to enforce. These policy decisions are not law, and the Constitution protects the right of the states and of individuals to make health decisions.

Check out what happened in Collier County, Florida, for an idea of what it looks like when a community comes together and says, “No” to federal policies that harm its community. They are now a sanctuary county for health freedom.

Don’t let fear and peer pressure make this decision for you. Work through your fear, then look at the science and decide for yourself. Each situation where individuals are expected to wear a mask is different, but the fact remains: We lose rights we don’t fight for. Read SHF’s “Solutions” for mandates for inspiration and guidance on how to stand up for your rights.

The Constitution is on your side. It’s a breach of an individual’s privacy and autonomy to be unable to go into public settings without being discriminated against. And banning people from entering or participating in society because they don’t wear a mask violates their constitutional rights.

It’s time to stand; Urge your lawmakers to make face coverings voluntary

Never before has it been so important for you to stand up for your rights! Mandatory medicine and mandated interventions such as social distancing and mask-wearing have no place in a free society. Citizens have the right to make responsible decisions about what is best for themselves and their children based on their own unique circumstances.

It is unethical and unconstitutional to force healthy citizens to abide by measures that can result in physical and emotional harm, trampling on their ability to move freely throughout society without discrimination. For those with deeply held religious beliefs, mask mandates violate their

ability to abide by natural law and follow their convictions to walk in faith, not fear. As such, the decision to wear a mask is a highly personal one and should not be universally mandated; measures that are meant to protect the community as a whole are ineffective if they hurt individuals in that community.

Email your lawmakers now to urge them to do their part to make sure that mask-wearing remains voluntary.

Jill Hines

Directory of Advocacy
A former banker turned homeschool mom, Jill Hines began researching alternatives to conventional medicine in 2010 and what she discovered changed the trajectory of her life. She corrected a worrisome health issue, and embraced a natural approach to wellness. Advocating for informed consent and parental rights became a full-time mission when she joined the board of the Georgia Coalition for Vaccine Choice and later became the co-director of Health Freedom Louisiana. Due to her advocacy efforts during the COVID crisis, Jill was one of 25 Louisianans selected by Central City News as “a hero of the constitutional crisis.” She was also presented the Impact Award for Outstanding Public Service from the government watchdog organization Citizens for a New Louisiana. Jill now represents hundreds of millions of Americans who experienced censorship due to the Biden administration's efforts to suppress disfavored speech as a plaintiff in the landmark lawsuit Missouri v. Biden. Jill holds a marketing degree from Louisiana Tech University and now passionately “sells” health freedom full-time. Serving as Stand for Health Freedom’s advocacy director provides an incredible opportunity to advance the growing movement to preserve the sacred right to refuse unwanted medical interventions for ourselves and our children without fear of retribution.
“We have lived through a terrifying societal, psychological, and medical experiment which afforded us a knowledge that our forefathers tried to impart and we can no longer ignore: Our freedom is tenuous. For our children’s sake, the time is now to take a stand for health freedom.”

Chrissy Scott

Executive Assistant and Social Media Manager

A labor and delivery nurse with a lifelong passion for maternal and fetal health, Chrissy Scott left her job of 19 years after learning the truth about the harms caused by the medical system. In 2009, she was mandated by her employer to receive the H1N1 vaccine during her first trimester of pregnancy with her second child. She was assured that the vaccine was “safe and effective” for pregnant women, but her son was born with a kidney defect that could have been fatal. She didn’t connect the dots to vaccine injury until several years later when the declining health of her oldest son drove her to seek answers outside of allopathic medicine.

This personal journey ignited in her a new passion for truth and transparency in health care. As SHF’s Executive Assistant, Chrissy facilitates communication and local advocacy initiatives alongside Leah Wilson for their home state of Indiana. She also manages and creates graphics for SHF’s social media accounts and the website’s swag shop.

Chrissy earned her nursing degree from Anderson University and served her entire career at her local hospital. While she’s no longer a floor nurse, her five very active boys frequently test her nursing skills! She homeschools her children and has been co-owner of a successful home décor sign business with her sister.

“Parents, being the experts on their own children, are best suited to make decisions for the well-being of their family. To do this properly, they must be given full and accurate information and be free from force or coercion.”

Ellen Chappelle

Writer/Editor

Ellen Chappelle serves as SHF’s resident wordsmith. A seasoned writer and editor, she’s enthusiastic about ensuring that our content is clear, concise, and inspiring.

Ellen is most energized by working on projects that transform lives. A truth seeker as well as a journalist, she’s disturbed by the lack of accuracy in today’s media and determined to help share fact rather than fiction. And having found greater healing with alternative approaches, she’s also passionate about preserving our freedom to make informed health choices.

Past projects include serving as regional editor of a dog magazine, color and trend specialist for a small cosmetics company, arts columnist, newspaper reporter, ghostwriter, and creator of website content for artists and small businesses.

With a degree in journalism and theatre, Ellen is also a performer. She enjoyed singing and dancing on a cruise ship and traveling with a national musical theatre tour, as well as recording industrial videos, television commercials, and radio voiceovers. She also creates handcrafted jewelry in wire, chain maille, and fused glass.

“Despite what some would have us believe, the fact remains that this nation was founded on biblical principles by people who wanted freedom to worship God and live their lives without government involvement. It’s never been more critical to fight for those rights.”

LEAH WILSON

Executive Director and Co-founder

An attorney with a background in complex litigation and advocacy, Leah Wilson is passionate about children’s health and has researched and worked on child welfare issues for more than a decade.

The overmedication of children in foster care as a form of behavior management is what compelled Leah to become an advocate and foster parent. During her time as a court-appointed special advocate for abused and neglected children, Leah witnessed the rampant use of psychiatric drugs among foster kids. She also discovered that, in addition to many extensive requirements, the state had a policy that all foster children and foster families be fully vaccinated, without exception. Through her involvement in law, health and the foster care system, it became abundantly clear to Leah that the single most important issue affecting child welfare in the United States is the practice of one-size-fits-all medicine via medical mandates. This motivated Leah to expand her advocacy beyond foster care to all children nationwide and to start Stand for Health Freedom (SHF) in 2019.

A graduate of the Saint Louis University School of Law, Leah holds dual bachelor degrees in political science and Spanish from Indiana University. In addition to her advocacy work with SHF, Leah is the owner and former operations director of MaxLiving Indy, one of the largest natural health centers in the Midwest. She is also an educator on holistic health as well as a sought-after speaker on issues ranging from religious rights to greening your home.

“Parental rights and religious freedom are God-given natural rights that cannot arbitrarily be taken away by government authorities. Parents are the single most important factor in a child’s success; I stand in full support of this sacred relationship.”

Sayer JI

Director and Co-founder

Sayer Ji is a widely recognized researcher, author, lecturer, activist, and educator on natural health modalities. Among his many roles, he is an advisor to Stand for Health Freedom, a reviewer and editor of the International Journal of Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine, an advisory board member of the National Health Federation, a steering committee member of the Global GMO Free Coalition, and the co-founder and CEO of Systome Biomed Inc., a revolutionary scientific validation framework.

Most notably, Sayer is the founder of Greenmedinfo.com, the world’s most widely referenced, evidence-based natural health resource of its kind. He founded the platform in 2008 to provide an open access, evidence-based resource supporting natural and integrative modalities. Today, Greenmedinfo.com has more than a million visits per month, serving as a trusted resource on myriad health and wellness topics to physicians, healthcare practitioners, clinicians, researchers and consumers worldwide.

Sayer attended Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where he studied under the notable American philosopher Dr. Bruce W. Wilshire. He received a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy in 1995, with a focus on the philosophy of science. His new book, Regenerate: Unlocking Your Body’s Radical Resilience through the New Biology, was released in March 2020 and is an Amazon bestseller.

“I truly believe that education will be our greatest shield against accelerating the erosion of civil liberties, including the right to bodily sovereignty, as well as the greatest catalyst for positive change on this planet moving forward.”

Bailey Kuykendoll

Associate Director

Designer and visual marketer Bailey Kuykendoll began advocating for health and religious freedom and parental rights in 2014 after learning she was pregnant. A self-described skeptic, she’s not afraid to ask questions and do copious amounts of research to reach her own conclusions.

She’s also not afraid of hard work. As SHF’s Associate Director, Bailey truly keeps the organizational boat afloat. Working closely with our State Directors in each state, she ensures that SHF has calls-to-action for health-freedom bills and petitions on our website and across social media, spreading the word to encourage people to contact their legislators. She builds campaigns, graphics, website pages, and relationships.

Bailey earned a design degree from Harrington Institute of Design in 2008. She then served as a production assistant on several shows for HGTV, followed by working behind the scenes on the X Factor, small indie films, music videos, and documentaries. Bailey joined Health Freedom Florida after moving to the East Coast, becoming co-president of the grassroots organization in 2019. While at Health Freedom Florida, she successfully filed a state bill designed to stop discrimination based on your health status. She joined SHF in the fall of 2020.

“God placed a calling on my heart back in 2008 to be a part of something bigger for Him. Twelve years later, the opportunity came knocking to help others lean into their natural-born rights and take a stand for themselves and their families. I knew this is where I was called to be, and I have never looked back.”

Valerie Borek

POLICY ANALYST

Valerie Borek is a passionate advocate for health rights and family privacy. A mother of two with degrees in law and biochemistry, she is perfectly positioned to lead SHF advocates through complex health-rights policy. Her work is guided by a love for American values, uncovering truth, and a passion for empowering others. Valerie has served as SHF’s policy analyst since 2021.

Valerie’s understanding of the value of freedom to make one’s own health care choices is not just academic. Health freedom has kept her boys alive and thriving. Her choice to have home births jump-started her advocacy for health privacy. Her eldest son survived a rare and deadly cancer because her family was able to navigate medical care while holding onto values that were sometimes at odds with recommendations.

Before joining SHF, Valerie specialized in health and parenting rights at her boutique law firm, especially surrounding birth and vaccine rights. She advocated for informed consent in health care and transparent food labeling in her state. She helped found the Birth Rights Bar Association and was honored to present their argument to the Delaware Supreme Court that midwifery is not the practice of medicine, in support of a trailblazing midwife.

“Health is the foundation of how we show up in this world to love, serve, and create. Americans are blessed to live in a country that gets stronger the more we protect fundamental rights, like informed consent and privacy, so individuals and families can thrive.”

Mary Katherine LaCroix

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND NONPROFIT ADMINISTRATION

Mary Katherine LaCroix became involved with SHF as a volunteer in 2019 when the religious exemption for childhood vaccines was at risk in her home state of New Jersey. She believes strongly that parents have the responsibility for their children’s health, education, and faith formation and that only they have the right to make medical decisions and manage their care.

She has worked in fundraising for more than 25 years at various educational, cultural, human services, and political organizations. A graduate of the University of Scranton, she holds a degree in History and English Literature.

Mary Katherine is thrilled to have this opportunity to work with and help grow SHF, believing that together we can achieve even greater impact in protecting our rights and caring for our loved ones. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and large extended family, as well as volunteering to support the special needs community.

“Parents are taught that they must trust the experts. That’s what we did, until we learned that the experts can be wrong and don’t always know what is best for your child. Parents should instead feel empowered by their natural, God-given ability to advocate and care for their children. SHF is here to give them the tools to do just that.”

Sheila Ealey

Political Analyst

Dr. Sheila Lewis Ealey is the founder and former director of the Creative Learning Center of Louisiana, a therapeutic day school for children who are on the autism spectrum or struggling with other nonverbal intellectual disabilities. The wife of a former U.S. Coast Guard Officer, she is also the mother of four children. Her son was diagnosed with severe autism spectrum disorder at 18 months. He is now a young man and considered moderate and emerging.

Sheila and her twins were featured in the documentary “Vaxxed.” She has traveled extensively, advocating for medical freedom. She continues to educate disenfranchised parents about their fundamental rights to religious and philosophical exemptions, their ability to live sustainably on a limited budget, and the importance of nutrition and biomedical interventions for optimum health with autism. She also writes individual homeschool curriculums for parents of children with autism or intellectual disorders. Sheila is a trustee for the Autism Trust, USA, and on the board of directors of Children’s Health Defense.

Over the past 20 years, she has educated herself to use natural healing modalities for the body and brain. Her formal education includes degrees in communication, special education curriculum, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership in Special Education. Sheila serves as an assistant content advisor and political analyst for SHF.

“It is not the Constitution’s job to protect our liberties, as it is not a philosophical document but a legal one. Its purpose is to limit the powers and authority of our federal government in hopes of preventing an intrusion upon our unalienable rights. We are obliged to maintain our government within its limits.”

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