Ohio state lawmaker refuses to wear face mask because faces are the 'likeness of God'

<p>A Republican lawmaker from Ohio declared that he would not wear a face mask to reduce the spread of COVID-19 because “faces were created in the image and likeness of God.”</p><p>“This is the greatest nation on earth founded on Judeo-Christian Principle," wrote Representative Nino Vitale on Facebook. “One of those principles is that we are all created in the image and likeness of God. That image is seen the most by our face. I will not wear a mask.”</p><p>Included in the Facebook post was a video of Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton and Republican Governor Mike DeWine.</p><p>The clip shows Acton talking about on the importance of masks edited together with a clip of DeWine stating that his order to wear the masks was " a bridge too far that people were not going to accept the government telling them what to do."</p><p>In his post, Vitale blasted the “unelected” Acton for her recommendation to wear masks as the businesses in the state begin to open.</p><p>DeWine required face masks to be worn in stores as the state begins reopening certain businesses this month, but reversed the mandate shortly after the announcement due to public protest.</p><p>Some Republican lawmakers are concerned with the growing influence Acton's orders have had on DeWine's coronavirus policies, and they want him to listen more to them and less to non-elected state medical director. Protesters who oppose the state rules have been gathered in front Acton’s home.</p><p>Vitale says the order to wear a mask was not “based on logic,” rather “fear and propaganda.”</p>