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September 1,2021

Anna Murray 

People have to rethink the true meaning of human rights. During the pandemic, wearing a mask is a necessity for public health. The Alberta Human Rights Commission dismissed two cases accused wearing masks was discrimination. 

Two cases happened in Edmonton, Canada. Both petitioners claimed disability or health issue to exempt them from wearing masks while they were shopping. The two companies had been providing all possible alternatives to shop in stores. They just refused. Peter Szeles, one of the petitioners, was carried into a police van. 

Since March 2020, the Alberta Commission had received various complaints of mask wearing. Jessica Eisen, a law professor at University of Alberta, stated that balance is the core value of human rights laws. It is accurate for stores to ensure every worker’s and shopper’s health.