Can the Americans with Disabilities Act be used for mask mandates?

Last week, a federal judge enforced a universal mask mandate for public schools in Knox County, Tennessee. The judge used the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act as his legal basis for action…

The ADA has long been understood to mean that facilities should accommodate those with disabilities. This has meant providing services such as wheelchair ramps, remodeled bathrooms, captioning, and other physical modifications or service offerings.

But does the ADA now also regulate widespread public behavior?

A myriad of mandates and varied decrees from both local and national governments have tested the boundaries of personal liberty and autonomy throughout the COVID era, writes @jackhunter74.

Is expanding the scope of the ADA the government’s next frontier?https://t.co/LtdOZD3Uqu — Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) September 29, 2021

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs had the same question (disclosure: Jacobs is a personal friend). Referencing the judge's ruling, Jacobs tweeted on Wednesday. "My long-term concern is this order appears to expand ADA so that it not only includes facilities and services, but also forcibly regulates 3rd party behavior."

"And it's not just schools," Jacobs wrote . "In his order, the judge states identical grievances could be filed against other public buildings such as libraries and post offices."

Read the entire column at the Washington Examiner.