In the event you wondered if the “mask or not to mask” debate was more political than public health, Rep. Jerry Nadler is here to disabuse you of the notion that there’s a purely medical reason for wearing the things. Observe how artfully he tried to use the lack of masks on some Republicans to  keep them from engaging Wednesday at the House Committee hearing on police reform.

.@RepJerryNadler announces he won't recognize any members who do not wear a mask.

From there, things go OFF THE RAILS.pic.twitter.com/PQ3NAFQhj4

— The First (@TheFirstonTV) June 17, 2020

He’s ultimately unsuccessful, but boy does he try.

Then there’s the bravery and subsequent foolishness of AMC Theaters, who revealed Thursday to Variety that they were eschewing the mask mandate when they reopen so as to avoid what they admittedly recognize as a “political controversy.”

AMC will not mandate that all guests wear masks, although employees will be required to do so. Nor will AMC perform temperature checks on customers, though it will monitor its employees’ temperatures and have them undergo screenings to check for signs of coronavirus. The situation will be different in states and cities that require residents to wear a mask when they’re in public, but Aron said that AMC was wary of wading into a public health issue that has become politicized.

“We did not want to be drawn into a political controversy,” said Aron. “We thought it might be counterproductive if we forced mask wearing on those people who believe strongly that it is not necessary. We think that the vast majority of AMC guests will be wearing masks. When I go to an AMC feature, I will certainly be wearing a mask and leading by example.”

AMC will also sell masks for a dollar to guests who forgot to bring one. Both Cinemark and Regal are encouraging guests to wear masks, but not requiring it in states and areas where it is not mandated.

That sounds responsible, right?

Not to the mob.

In an abrupt about-face, the movie theater chain AMC said Friday it would require guests to wear face masks when its theaters reopen, after CEO Adam Aron earlier said it would not.

“This announcement prompted an intense and immediate outcry from our customers, and it is clear from this response that we did not go far enough on the usage of masks,” Aron said in a statement. “Accordingly, and with the full support of our scientific advisors, we are reversing course and are changing our guest mask policy. As we reopen theatres, we now will require that all AMC guests nationwide wear masks as they enter and enjoy movies at our theatres.”

This kid is heading back North this weekend and is not looking forward to being dragged into the politics of masking. But I suppose in the seat of the federal government, everything can be politicized.

I talk about all that on today’s show, as well as this current push to cancel diversity in an attempt to cancel racism. Oh, and I review, “The Vast of Night” (trailer below), a must-watch, gem of a film about aliens and radio and friendship and distraction. Good stuff.

Dive in!

The show lives below on Spotify and you can also find me at iHeart radio, Apple Podcasts, FCB Radio’s Spreaker, and Deezer.