Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 01:26 PM Jul 2020

Majority of Americans... Believe People Should Be Jailed or Fined for Not Wearing Masks

From the article:

According to the latest Politico/Morning Consult poll, the majority of Americans believe authorities should jail or fine people who don’t wear face masks to ward off the novel coronavirus.

The poll found that 53 percent of survey participants said they would “strongly support” mandatory mask orders that include jail time or fines for people who don’t comply. 19 percent said they’d “somewhat” support a proposal. 21 percent either opposed or somewhat opposed a mandate.

Most Republicans support the idea too, with 59 percent saying they’d support a mandate. 35 percent of Republicans said they would oppose a mandate.


To read more:

https://www.politicususa.com/2020/07/22/poll-majority-of-americans-including-republicans-believe-people-should-be-jailed-or-find-for-not-wearing-masks.html
42 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Majority of Americans... Believe People Should Be Jailed or Fined for Not Wearing Masks (Original Post) guillaumeb Jul 2020 OP
if we do the same as catsudon Jul 2020 #1
Shows what they must think of Trump not wearing a mask. People are very pissed at him. Doodley Jul 2020 #2
Unsurprising. This country likes to punish. WhiskeyGrinder Jul 2020 #3
Well it is also a country where people will not do the right thing unless they are threatened. iemitsu Jul 2020 #12
I don't like the jail thing because our jails are already full and highest population in the world jimfields33 Jul 2020 #15
Are threats what make you do the right thing? WhiskeyGrinder Jul 2020 #25
No, but I am not one of those who resists doing the right thing. iemitsu Jul 2020 #34
Thats why I dont speed even if there are very few other cars on the road MichMan Jul 2020 #36
How about hospital community service? dickthegrouch Jul 2020 #30
No. WhiskeyGrinder Jul 2020 #33
Some on DU also suggested DonaldsRump Jul 2020 #4
I agree Andy823 Jul 2020 #5
It'd be a lot higher than 53% without jail, or big fines. Hortensis Jul 2020 #6
In my view, it is the difference between freedom and freedumb. eom guillaumeb Jul 2020 #9
I think that is location dependent Runningdawg Jul 2020 #7
Jail, No. Fines, Yes. ProfessorGAC Jul 2020 #8
I agree with the fines. guillaumeb Jul 2020 #10
A True Concern ProfessorGAC Jul 2020 #13
They should also wear them properly pandr32 Jul 2020 #11
The chin level mask wearers? guillaumeb Jul 2020 #14
Saw A Sign At CVS, Yesterday ProfessorGAC Jul 2020 #17
This same sign should be everywhere! pandr32 Jul 2020 #38
I Think So Too ProfessorGAC Jul 2020 #39
The treat of fines seems to be sufficient, at least in my town. GoCubsGo Jul 2020 #16
Yes, the "free my nose" crowd. guillaumeb Jul 2020 #18
A shame but enforcement of such provisions (wear masks etc.) is almost impossible and most (from SWBTATTReg Jul 2020 #19
I hate to say this, I really do, but I think your assessment is correct. eom guillaumeb Jul 2020 #20
Seat belts. People became more compliant with the law when they started getting expensive tickets Hekate Jul 2020 #21
And when they were introduced, guillaumeb Jul 2020 #22
Exactly. There were a lot of PSAs on TV and in magazines. One in particular reminds me of masks... Hekate Jul 2020 #31
So, if I understand this... MichMan Jul 2020 #23
Well.....yes. guillaumeb Jul 2020 #24
How is someone unemployed expected to pay a $500 fine? MichMan Jul 2020 #27
They can easily avoid a $500 fine by wearing a $1 mask Hekate Jul 2020 #32
So too bad if they pay the fine and have no money left for food or rent right? MichMan Jul 2020 #35
They can easily avoid a $500 fine by wearing a $2 mask Hekate Jul 2020 #37
Fines yes. Jail no. Doreen Jul 2020 #26
My city just passed a resolution to fine people not wearing masks SoCalNative Jul 2020 #28
Wow! ProfessorGAC Jul 2020 #40
It was just passed on Tuesday SoCalNative Jul 2020 #41
Haven't Seen Any Chief Saying It... ProfessorGAC Jul 2020 #42
Fine with me. I would also like "swift kick in the ass" added to BusyBeingBest Jul 2020 #29

jimfields33

(15,450 posts)
15. I don't like the jail thing because our jails are already full and highest population in the world
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 01:38 PM
Jul 2020

A fee or fine I’m ok with.

MichMan

(11,778 posts)
36. Thats why I dont speed even if there are very few other cars on the road
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 02:39 PM
Jul 2020

That's why I dont park at a meter if I dont have change.

DonaldsRump

(7,715 posts)
4. Some on DU also suggested
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 01:29 PM
Jul 2020

send information about such fines (if they were ever implemented) to the offending person's health or life insurance company, much like automobile violations are sent to auto insurance companies.

Fines plus the risk of a rise in insurance premiums would greatly help promote a culture of compliance, something this country is badly lacking.

Andy823

(11,495 posts)
5. I agree
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 01:29 PM
Jul 2020

hit them with a fine and if they get caught twice double the fine, and a third time give them some jail time and a larger fine.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
6. It'd be a lot higher than 53% without jail, or big fines.
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 01:31 PM
Jul 2020

A lot of people can't afford fines, or of course missing work or childcare for jail.

The penalties I've read about, though, have been reasonably graduated. Smallish fine for misdemeanor for first, increased for second, slammed only for continued recidivism.

Runningdawg

(4,494 posts)
7. I think that is location dependent
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 01:31 PM
Jul 2020

Down here in OK, you wear a mask YOU are a target. I'm high risk and isolated but my husband, both his brothers and his parents have ALL been verbally abused in public for wearing a mask. One lady in a convenience store before the latest mandate, threatened to kick my "libtard" mother in law's ass - because she backed away when they lady got within arms reach.

ProfessorGAC

(64,413 posts)
8. Jail, No. Fines, Yes.
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 01:33 PM
Jul 2020

Escalating, but starting low.
Attention getting number like $20. Then double, then double, and again.
Even the most stubborn free-dumb resistor will stop their nonsense at $300, and another $160 for future violations.
Besides, putting more people in jail during a pandemic is counterproductive.

ProfessorGAC

(64,413 posts)
13. A True Concern
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 01:37 PM
Jul 2020

We've had sheriffs refuse to enforce state mandates, so precedent to ignore is already set.

pandr32

(11,446 posts)
11. They should also wear them properly
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 01:35 PM
Jul 2020

It makes me so angry to see how too many people "technically" are wearing a mask but not covering them properly. Ditto for people cramming up close instead of maintaining a distance. Happens to me often in the store.

ProfessorGAC

(64,413 posts)
17. Saw A Sign At CVS, Yesterday
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 01:40 PM
Jul 2020

Went to pick up wife's Rx.
Sign actually showed how NOT to wear a mask.
First one I saw, so far.
It said "Masks are absolutely required, and must be worn properly."
Then, it gave examples of wearing a mask the wrong way, saying "Don't, wear below your nose, don't..."
I thought it was a good idea!

ProfessorGAC

(64,413 posts)
39. I Think So Too
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 05:29 PM
Jul 2020

I was there 10 days before, and no sign.
The sign might be from corporate after the mandate.

GoCubsGo

(32,061 posts)
16. The treat of fines seems to be sufficient, at least in my town.
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 01:39 PM
Jul 2020

I'm in Joe "You Lie" Wilson's district, to give you an idea of what we're dealing with here. My city is a week into a mask mandate, with relatively substantial fines for non-compliance. So far, everyone seems to be complying, although there are always a few who still won't cover their damn noses.

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
18. Yes, the "free my nose" crowd.
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 01:41 PM
Jul 2020

But Trump can count on the fairly steady 37% of insane voters to support him.

SWBTATTReg

(21,856 posts)
19. A shame but enforcement of such provisions (wear masks etc.) is almost impossible and most (from
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 01:41 PM
Jul 2020

what I have heard) police departments won't enforce the mask law when they need to be. All it takes is one case of the CV to start spreading rapidly again and all of the work undertaken by all in wearing masks, stay at home, etc. will be undone and we'll go through this whole CV mess again (and again and again etc. until ?).

I am guessing that the only serious manner to enforce compliance is death, a lot of it and serious illness, a lot of it too. I suspect that in a lot of rural areas this is happening since it doesn't take a lot of CV cases to overload rural facilities to the breaking point. Sad, but they (the anti-maskers) brought it on themselves.

Hekate

(90,188 posts)
21. Seat belts. People became more compliant with the law when they started getting expensive tickets
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 01:43 PM
Jul 2020

...that also influenced their auto insurance.

Just sayin.

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
22. And when they were introduced,
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 01:50 PM
Jul 2020

there were the "I will never wear a seat belt" crowd. The same idiotic rationalizations about liberty and freedom as we hear regarding masks.

Hekate

(90,188 posts)
31. Exactly. There were a lot of PSAs on TV and in magazines. One in particular reminds me of masks...
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 02:30 PM
Jul 2020

In print, a typical whine: “But seat belts wrinkle my dress!”
Photo: A young woman in a wrecked prom dress, complete with road grease, mud, and blood. Her hair is a mess, her face is muddied up. She looks both battered and chagrined as she waits in the ER in a wheelchair.

A lot of us here have had a very similar idea for a comeback to a jibe, and I think it needs a graphic ad of it’s own: “You think wearing masks outside your home is uncomfortable? Try a ventilator in the ICU.”

Alternate ad: “You think your cloth mask is uncomfortable when you’re out and about? Try being a nurse on a 12 hour shift in an N95.”

Most people are capable of learning, if given the proper tools for putting it in context. The remainder need stronger measures.

MichMan

(11,778 posts)
23. So, if I understand this...
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 01:52 PM
Jul 2020

We released thousands of prisoners from jail because they MIGHT contract the virus, yet we are going to lock people up in jail for not wearing a mask?

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
24. Well.....yes.
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 01:54 PM
Jul 2020

In my view, fines are preferable.

The problem, even with fines, is that it depends on local law enforcement.

MichMan

(11,778 posts)
35. So too bad if they pay the fine and have no money left for food or rent right?
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 02:37 PM
Jul 2020

Serves them right. I suppose if they dont have the money, they can get locked up too.

Hekate

(90,188 posts)
37. They can easily avoid a $500 fine by wearing a $2 mask
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 02:40 PM
Jul 2020

Do they also find it too hard to wear a seat belt? Do they plead poverty when pulled over for not wearing one?

I’m not impressed by this line of reasoning.

Doreen

(11,686 posts)
26. Fines yes. Jail no.
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 02:02 PM
Jul 2020

Jail is just not a safe place for anyone at this time. I think fines are good and repeat offenders should be reported to their health insurance. You are expected to report that you are a smoker so why not an anti masker? If you really think about it smoking and not wearing masks are possibly pre existing health issues.

SoCalNative

(4,613 posts)
28. My city just passed a resolution to fine people not wearing masks
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 02:11 PM
Jul 2020

First violation - $400
Second violation - $1000
Third and subsequent violations - $2000

ProfessorGAC

(64,413 posts)
40. Wow!
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 05:33 PM
Jul 2020

Now, is it being enforced by the cops?
Otherwise, it's numbers on a page.
I hope so, but I've read 3 articles about sheriffs refusing to enforce.

SoCalNative

(4,613 posts)
41. It was just passed on Tuesday
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 05:35 PM
Jul 2020

and I haven't been out and about much to notice. We shall see, I guess.

We aren't served by county sheriffs. We have our own municipal police force.

ProfessorGAC

(64,413 posts)
42. Haven't Seen Any Chief Saying It...
Thu Jul 23, 2020, 05:41 PM
Jul 2020

...just 3 different sheriffs. But, wouldn't be surprised if some chief said they wouldn't enforce.
We have our own cops too, even though we're not very big.
But, I always see them masked when out of their cars.
So, at least they're setting a good example. That doesn't mean I think they would enforce a mandate, though.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Majority of Americans... ...