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In a sweeping “One Size Fits None” decree, the Department of Defense mandated all service and civilian members on board military installations to mask up, with a very few exceptions. This will apply to contractors, dependents and retirees as well.<\/p>\n
By Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory and Brian W. Everstine<\/strong><\/p>\n The Defense Department on Feb. 4 issued an order requiring all service members and civilians on U.S. military installations\u2014whether indoors or outdoors\u2014to wear a mask to try to limit the spread of COVID-19, with limited exceptions. However, vaccines against the new coronavirus remain voluntary, and a number of military family members have told Blue Star Families they don\u2019t plan on getting a shot.<\/p>\n The new order, which Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III announced in a memorandum to senior Pentagon leaders, combatant commanders, and DOD agencies, rescinds looser guidance from last spring, and means masks have to be on even when outside or socially distanced.<\/p>\n \u201cCOVID-19 is one of the deadliest threats our nation has ever faced,\u201d Austin wrote in the memo. \u201cAs we have done throughout our history, the military will rise to this challenge. It is imperative that we do all we can to ensure the health and safety of our force, our families, and our communities so we can prevail in this fight.\u201d<\/p>\n The only exceptions are when an individual is in their own home, alone in an office with floor-to-ceiling walls and a closed door, when eating and drinking, when a mask must be lowered for identification, or when needed to reasonably accommodate an individual with a disability.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Case-by-case exceptions are possible, if you can find a sympathetic 0-7. Read the entire article here: Air Force Magazine<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"