A bill was passed Monday by the North Dakota House of Representatives that would "prohibit state and local officials, schools and businesses from mandating face masks."
Republican state Rep. Jeff Hoverson, who sponsored the bill, believes that North Dakota should be free like South Dakota and called mask mandates "diabolical silliness." Other supporters also claimed that wearing masks does not prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
In fact, the only lawmaker to speak out against the bill was Republican state Rep. Jason Dockter, saying that the state should allow counties, schools, employers, and cities "local control" over their decisions.
The bill comes after the Center for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidelines on the importance of mask-wearing, which includes double mask-wearing. The CDC reported that wearing a mask that fits tightly can help limit the spread of the coronavirus.
After passing with a 50-44 vote, the bill will now go to the State Senate.
