Hindsight

Fake 'face mask exempt' cards--and how to spot them in the workplace

Good morning, They’re roughly the size of business cards. Above a red, white, and blue eagle logo sit the words, in all-caps: “I am exempt from any ordinance requiring face mask usage in public.” And yes, if you see one, you should examine it carefully. Don’t be misled. These small cards are gaining popularity, especially among consumers trying to frequent businesses without masks. Some bear the logo of the U.S. Department of Justice. Others reference the Americans with Disabilities Act. None of them carry weight under U.S. law. Last week, the Justice Department specifically noted that the Act, signed into law in 1990, doesn’t allow people with disabilities to ignore legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe business operations. What’s more, the Department of Justice didn’t issue or endorse them in any way. Don’t be fooled: The group behind the cards, the Freedom to Breathe Agency, is not a government agency. It all means you should know how to respond when a customer tries to confront you with one. Read our story to learn how you and your employees spot these cards--and what the Americans with Disabilities Act actually entails.