Since the newly elected governor has banned mask mandates I find it nonsensical for Virginia Tech to implement a mandate which is banned by the governor and has no real scientific backing. Recently I went to workout at the school gym at McComas and I got the cops called on me and got kicked out of the gym for not wearing a mask from the time I scanned my ID to when I worked out. I have always taken my mask off after I scan my ID but for some reason it was a problem this time. The supervisor then came up to me and started yelling at me saying that I have been disrespectful to her and her staff on multiple occasions. I said that that wasn’t true and that I wanted to return to my workout. Then she threaten to call the VTPD on me. I continued workout out and lo and behold 10 minutes later three police officers show up looking for me. They pull me aside and tell me that they got a call for me being disrespectful to the staff on multiple occasions. After talking to them for a couple minutes the officer told me to just comply with the rules and continue my workout. I then approach the supervisor who called the cops on me and asked her why she had gone to such lengths over a mask. She then lied and accused me of yelling at her after coming in which is ironic because she was the one yelling at me after I came in telling me to put my mask on. I proceed with my workout and not even five minutes the cops come back and tell me I have to leave immediately. Of course I comply and leave and I’m left flabbergasted and the absolute insanity which had just take place. In regards to the mask mandate I want to say that it makes no logical sense. For example, why do you have to have a mask from the time you scan your ID to your workout station when you’re usually socially distanced from others, but you don’t have to wear a mask when you’re working out while sweating profusely, breathing heavily, and not socially distanced from others that are exercising. The thing is with these mandates it’s not about your safety, it’s about them having the power to tell you what to do and what not to do. The only reason she had the cops called on me wasn’t because I wasn’t complying with the rules, it’s because she wanted to have the power and show that she in fact was in charge and not me. As Americans we have to take our freedoms back and it starts by ending mandates in universities and schools because they provide no protection from contracting or spreading Covid and are just in place to control and fear monger the people. Make sure to sign the petition and spread the word so we can end these tyrannical mandates once and for all.