US Supreme Court Justice Draws Flak For Not Wearing Mask
Faizan Hashmi Published January 19, 2022 | 09:30 AM
Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jan, 2022 ) :The US Supreme Court prides itself on the civility of its justices towards one another despite their often fierce legal disagreements -- but that collegiality is being tested.
Justice Neil Gorsuch has reportedly refused a request by Chief Justice John Roberts to wear a face mask in court amid the Covid pandemic.
National Public Radio (NPR), citing court sources, reported that Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who has diabetes, does "not feel safe in close proximity to people who were unmasked." NPR said Roberts had asked the other eight justices to "mask up" and they all have during recent hearings except for Gorsuch, a staunch conservative nominated by president Donald Trump.
The 67-year-old Sotomayor, who sits next to Gorsuch on the bench, has been participating in recent court hearings virtually from her chambers.
NPR said she has also been attending the justices' weekly conferences by telephone instead of in person.
Gorsuch, 54, was the only one of the eight justices in attendance on Tuesday to not wear a mask, according to journalists who attended oral arguments in the downtown Supreme Court building.
Mask-wearing has become a partisan battlefield in the United States, with some on the right condemning it as an abuse of individual liberties.
So have Covid vaccinations, and Gorsuch joined the five other conservatives on the Supreme Court last week in striking down President Joe Biden's mandatory Covid shots or testing regime for large businesses.
Sotomayor and the two other liberal justices on the court voted in favor of the vaccination-or-testing mandate.
Gorsuch's apparent refusal to wear a mask drew condemnation from Claire McCaskill, a former Democratic senator from Missouri.
"So glad I voted no on this jerk," McCaskill said of her 2017 Senate vote against Gorsuch's confirmation to the nation's highest court.
"What kind of guy does this?" McCaskill asked. "I could tell in my meeting with him that he thought he was better than everyone else, more important, smarter. Ugh."Following the coronavirus outbreak in March 2020, the Supreme Court began holding its hearings by telephone, with the justices, all of whom have since been vaccinated and boosted, working from home.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
3 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
4 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
4 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
5 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
5 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
5 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
7 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
11 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
12 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
12 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
15 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
17 days ago