Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York are gearing up to take their “Fighting Oligarchy” rallies out West next week, with a recommendation for attendees to wear masks.
Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been confirmed that the RSVP for the upcoming events in Denver and Las Vegas includes guidance advising all attendees to wear masks.
A post by conservative podcaster Stephen L. Miller raised questions about the necessity of masks at an outdoor event in 2025.
While some individuals questioned the need for masks at an outdoor event, others speculated that it may be a way to protect attendees’ identities.
The “Fighting Oligarchy” events are not protests, but rather traditional campaign rallies where supporters gather to hear the headline speakers.
Senator Sanders and Representative Ocasio-Cortez recently announced the West Coast leg of their tour, with stops planned in Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado to engage with working people who are dissatisfied with the current state of affairs in Washington, D.C.
The Democratic National Committee has also announced a coordinated effort to host town halls in Republican-held districts, in response to protests disrupting Republican town hall meetings.
In addition to the mask guidance, the flier for the upcoming event includes typical safety precautions for large public gatherings, such as requesting unwell individuals to stay home and prohibiting bags, signs, and firearms.
Although the CDC ended the travel mask mandate in April 2022, masks are still recommended in indoor public transportation settings, and individuals are advised to consider masking in certain situations.
While the efficacy of wearing masks has been debated, the CDC maintains that masking can help reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.
