Republican lawmakers in North Carolina are pushing forward with their plan to repeal a pandemic-era law that allowed the wearing of masks in public for health reasons, a move spurred in part by demons

It could become illegal once again to wear a mask in public in North Carolina for health and safety reasons under a bill a state Senate committee advanced Tuesday.

The legislation would increase penalties for people who wear masks while committing a crime. But it includes a repeal of a COVID-era provision that allowed people to wear masks in public for health and safety reasons.