Mask Exemption Cards From the ‘Freedom to Breathe Agency’? They’re Fake

Mask Exemption Cards From the ‘Freedom to Breathe Agency’? They’re Fake

The group, which is selling the cards online, is not a real government organization, federal officials said.

Federal health officials recommend wearing cloth face coverings in public places to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, though some people have resisted the guidance.Credit...Nitashia Johnson for The New York TimesJune 28, 2020, 8:25 p.m. ET

Cards for sale that claim to exempt people from wearing masks during the coronavirus pandemic are fraudulent, federal officials said.

The cards “” featuring a red, white and blue eagle logo and approximately the size of a business card “” say the bearer is exempt from ordinances requiring them to wear masks in public.

"Wearing a face mask posses a mental and/or physical risk to me. Under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), I am not required to disclose my condition to you,“ reads the card, which misspells "poses“ and incorrectly names the Americans with Disabilities Act.

There's also a warning that businesses or organizations can be reported to the Freedom to Breathe Agency, the group behind the cards. One version of the cards featured the Justice Department's logo and listed a legitimate phone number where complaints about violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act can be submitted.

The cards were being sold