An Ohio mom of an eighth grader playing in a football game in Logan, Ohio, was tased, dragged down the bleacher steps and arrested for not wearing her mask in the stands as she watched. Videos of the incident show a police officer tasing Alecia Kitts at the 2-minute mark.
Also clearly on the video is footage showing that the officer who tased Kitts had his own mask off, under his chin, from the time he tased her until he was walking her away in handcuffs. He only put the mask back on when someone in the stands yelled out, asking him where his mask was.
According to The Ohio Star, Tiffany Kennedy, a friend of Kitts who shot the video, said Kitts has asthma and had taken the mask off. Kitts’ mask is visible in her right back shorts pocket in the video.
Ohio coronavirus rules issued by Gov. Mike DeWine require people to wear masks at outdoor events when 6-foot social distancing is not possible. Not wearing a mask in Ohio is considered a misdemeanor. Penalties for failure to comply can include up to 30 days in jail and a $750 fine. While DeWine said his intent isn’t to arrest people for noncompliance, DeWine vetoed a bill that would have reduced fines for it, and banned jail time.
SOURCES:
The Marietta Times September 24, 2020
YouTube September 23, 2020
The Ohio Star September 23, 2020
WOSU Radio July 22, 2020