Masks in banks

[not2cleverRed]

Getting back on track to the original question:

If a person walks into a bank wearing a mask, can he be lawfully questioned or detained by a guard or police officer, or must the officer wait until the person pulls a gun or otherwise misbehaves?

Banks are fond of using "discretion". Even if you've had an account for years, never done anything sketchy (like bouncing checks, overdrafts), they have the discretion to make up rules on the spot if you are depositing money. (I've only had problems depositing money. Withdrawing seems more straightforward.)

If someone finds you suspicious, they will find ways to protect themselves, whether or not you're up to no good.

Most banks have clearly posted that you are not allowed to enter wearing a mask or other potentially disguising items, like sunglasses or hats. This allows them to request someone wearing a mask to remove the mask or leave. However, they don't have to. When I have gone to the corner bank wearing sunglasses and KF94 mask, the senior employees just comment on how much I look like my mom, so it's fair to say that I'm not disguising myself.

So yes, there is no problem with them requesting that you comply with their request to remove a mask or leave.

However, they do not have carte blanche to assault you etc., just because you're wearing a mask. They're not allowed to tackle you while you're quietly standing in line with no warning, and drag you to a back office and cuff you to office furniture.

More likely, if you were asked to leave the premises and didn't, they would contact local police and have you physically removed and charged with trespassing.

Again, what state in the US? Why are you asking? Have you had a misadventure at the bank?

 

[Zigner]

Again, what state in the US?

Pennsylvania, per post #4

 

[adjusterjack]

Don't forget the idiots who think it will save them from COVID.

And don't forget the idiots who believe that masks and vaccines were part of a government plot to see how much of the population would obey a government mandate. As a prelude to more draconian totalitarian mandates. I have a family member and a couple of acquaintances that believe that. I just roll my eyes and move on.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

And don't forget the idiots who believe that masks and vaccines were part of a government plot to see how much of the population would obey a government mandate. As a prelude to more draconian totalitarian mandates. I have a family member and a couple of acquaintances that believe that. I just roll my eyes and move on.

Nope it was just more of the Security Theater as seen at the TSA.

 

[quincy]

I would bet that it takes more than just wearing a standard medical face mask and a baseball cap to make any bank question someone’s presence in the bank.

If a person is acting strange, they are going to attract attention with or without a mask.

 

[not2cleverRed]

I would bet that it takes more than just wearing a standard medical face mask and a baseball cap to make any bank question someone’s presence in the bank.

If a person is acting strange, they are going to attract attention with or without a mask.

Exactly. Hence my real life example at the corner bank.

 

[HighwayMan]

Although some far right wingers refuse to believe the science, masks can help prevent the wearer from spreading disease if the user has it, and may also help the wearer avoid infection, too. The mask is, of course, not an absolute guarantee that transmission won't occur, but there is evidence that use of masks does slow the transmission. The CDC explains the utility of mask...

Cochrane has been considered the "gold standard" in medical studies. They concluded that medical/surgical masks make "little to no difference" in the spread of respiratory viruses. I'll keep my opinion of the CDC to myself.

What gets me is the whole N95 respirator issue. Back in 2002 I was certified as a Hazmat technician, along with a team of my co-workers, in order to help deal with the rash of "white powder incidents" in NYC. We had to undergo a medical exam, which included a cardiac evaluation and lung capacity test, in order to wear an N95 respirator. We were told it was an OSHA requirement since serious medical issues could result from the wearing of an air purifying respirator. But suddenly at one point all the rules went out the window about that.

 

[Just Blue]

Cochrane has been considered the "gold standard" in medical studies. They concluded that medical/surgical masks make "little to no difference" in the spread of respiratory viruses. I'll keep my opinion of the CDC to myself.

What gets me is the whole N95 respirator issue. Back in 2002 I was certified as a Hazmat technician, along with a team of my co-workers, in order to help deal with the rash of "white powder incidents" in NYC. We had to undergo a medical exam, which included a cardiac evaluation and lung capacity test, in order to wear an N95 respirator. We were told it was an OSHA requirement since serious medical issues could result from the wearing of an air purifying respirator. But suddenly at one point all the rules went out the window about that.

Hey HighwayMan!! Good to see you!