Rugged individualists won’t wear a mask—but they will pee for a drug test

By SJ Otto

It amazes me that these rugged individualists can’t be bothered to wear a mask, but many of these people have never complained when they had to take drug tests to get a job.

They can’t be bothered to wear a mask. It is someone trying to control them, according to some. Some people refuse to wear a mask, claiming it violates their rights as an American and it is an attempt by the government to control them. At least that is what I have heard.

 

From Brookings:

 

“In our attempt to address this important question, we find that the number one reason given by Americans who are not wearing a mask is that it is their right as an American to not have to do so. This is an important finding that suggests the core principal of individualism in American culture is leading to significant health consequences across the country…

….In an effort to understand why some Americans are resisting this nearly universally recognized infection reduction approach, we asked respondents in this wave why they choose to not wear a mask. As reflected in the figure below, we find that 40% of Americans who do not wear a mask say this is because it is “their right as an American to not wear a mask.” This modal response was followed by Americans who say they do not wear a mask “because it is uncomfortable” at 24%. The data reveals that a combined 64% of Americans believe that their right to not have to be inconvenienced by wearing a mask or scarf over their face is more important than reducing the probability of getting sick or infecting others.”

 

It wasn’t that long ago that The Idiot Factor ran an article called: “Jefferson County, MO health board, protesters oppose mask mandate despite the rising death toll.” The article logged some of the complaints people had to having to wear a mask. One of the most troubling reasons was: “"I'm not responsible for anybody's health, safety or well-being but my own, so I'm not wearing a mask,” Keith Fisher said.”

This person is so selfish he does not care if he spreads that virus around and kills people. According to him he is simply not responsible.

So that brings us back to drug testing. The difference is that no one dies from refusing to take a drug test. And what can bring more government control over a person (or corporate control—done by an employer) that testing his/ her urine to see what they do on their time off of work?

A number of times I have heard people say, when asked how they felt about drug testing: “Oh I don’t mind that. I don’t take drugs.” Taking drugs is not the problem. I have had to take such a test before for getting and keeping a job. At times I had to make an appointment, go into a rest room, and pee in a little cup. It seemed humiliating and all for the purpose of just getting or keeping a job. 

Drug testing is not without its dangers to the test taker. A false positive for any drug can cost a person their job. Lisa Guerin for  Nolo, Her article “Drug Tests for Job Applicants: If You're Asked to Take a Drug Test” warns employees they should:

 “Know your rights as an applicant if a potential employer requires a drug test:”

 

“Legal Limits on Drug Testing

Courts and legislators have recognized that drug testing implicates privacy rights . These tests don't just reveal current drug use—that is, intoxication when the test is taken. They also show past drug use, including use of legal drugs and use of drugs on the employee's own time. And, the test procedures require the test taker to surrender bodily fluids, sometimes under close supervision.
Because drug testing is intrusive, state and federal laws put some limits on when, how, and whether it can be done. Generally, current employees have greater rights in this area than applicants, because employees already hold a job that they stand to lose if the test comes back positive; applicants stand to lose only an opportunity to get a job.”

Her article also warns of some of the privacy issues and violation of rights when a person takes a drug test. The article lists a few examples of things an employee should be aware of:

• “Disability discrimination claims. An applicant who is taking medication for a disability is protected from discrimination by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Some prescribed medications turn up on drug tests, and some drugs that would otherwise be illegal (such as opiates) are legitimately prescribed for certain conditions. If an applicant is turned down because of a positive drug test, and the applicant's medication was legally prescribed for a disability, the company could be liable.

• Other discrimination claims. If a company singles out certain groups of applicants—for example, by race or disability—for drug testing, it could face a discrimination claim. If testing is allowed, it may be fine for the employer to single out certain job classifications for testing (for example, those that are safety-sensitive), but the employer should test all applicants for those positions.

• Violation of state-required procedures. Although virtually all states allow applicant drug testing, many states impose procedural and other requirements. For example, some states allow a drug test only after the applicant has received an offer of employment conditioned on passing the test. A number of states require employers that test to provide written notice or indicate in their job postings that testing is required. In a unique twist, Utah allows applicant testing only if company management also submits to periodic testing. To find out the rules in your state, select it from the list at our Testing at Work page.
• Invasion of privacy. Even if drug testing is allowed, applicant privacy may be violated in the way the test is conducted. For example, requiring an applicant to take a urine test or disrobe in someone else's presence may well be a violation of privacy.”

 

Opposition to drug testing does not come from the right-wing rugged individualists who presently oppose wearing a mask. Almost all opposition to drug testing comes from left oriented groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union ACLU. So I have to wonder why a simple mask, which we know can stop the spread of a very deadly virus, a disease that can make a person miserable even if it does not kill him or her, is such a dangerous violation of a person’s rights. On the other hand, these same rugged individualists have allowed and even endorsed the use of drug testing for employment.

Once again I am amazed at the stupidity of certain conservative kinds of people. Opposition to a mask is idiotic and it is non-sense.

 

Pix by Love Your Neighbor, Wear a Mask! – Wisconsin Council of Churches.