The Democratic Socialists of Maine criticized their national parent organization in an Instagram post on Sunday after the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) resolved that, from this point forward, masks will be strongly encouraged rather than required for their 2025 national convention.
“The National Political Committee’s decision to make masking optional, despite years of advocacy from DSA’s Disability Working Group puts members at risk, and has already had an impact on our delegation,” said the Maine DSA.
“COVID is still a threat to the working class in 2025, and to deny this would be a grave mistake. Additionally, bird flu cases continue to rise, which disproportionally harm our immigrant neighbors. Our access to evidence-based data on public health emergencies is being gatekept from us on purpose. The Trump Regime continues to try and take proper PPE from the National Nurses Union, and America’s fascist government is ramping up its restrictions on vaccine access,” they added.
The Maine DSA chapter became gravely concerned after learning that the national convention, set for August 8-10 in Chicago, slightly relaxed its extremely strict COVID policies. The convention’s 2025 health requirements only “strongly encourage” masking and do not require it during meals or when speaking at microphones.
According to its informational materials, the DSA national convention even provides to-go food containers for socialist activists afraid to eat inside around unmasked diners. They also urge attendees to maintain six-foot social distancing when an unmasked person is speaking.
Their national convention also requires attendees to attest to COVID vaccination, with at least one booster taken within 12 months of the convention. Attendees must also submit a negative COVID test taken within 48 hours of the convention’s start. Additionally, anyone with any symptoms whatsoever is instructed not to attend the convention.
These health protocols, though extremely strict compared with most events across the U.S. in 2025, did not satisfy the Maine DSA, who claimed that the lack of a strict mask mandate is failing “our future selves.”
“Masking should be required for all attendees, as airborne viral particles can still spread regardless of social distancing. We wish for fellow DSA members across the country to understand that by not upholding the highest standards possible for ourselves now, we are failing our future selves,” said the Maine DSA.
“DSA is responsible for meeting the moment, and to make sure we are fully encouraging the health and safety of everyone, we request that the NPC and the Convention Committee reconsider their decision to make masking optional,” they added.
The Maine DSA also argued that masks are an “accessibility tool” for disabled socialists.
“We hope all our comrades mask up during their travels, and keep disability justice at the forefront of their minds! The unfortunate truth is that ableism, and excuses for it, are only on the rise as fascism ramps up! We must do everything in our power to combat it,” they said.
The group also took issue with their parent organization’s testing requirements, which they claim encourage improper use of rapid tests. According to the Maine DSA, the rapid tests can only be used accurately in asymptomatic cases if the test is used three times over five days with 48 hours between each test, and only work when taken twice over three days.
“Advising people to misuse medical tests in the midst of numerous public health threats is neither comradely nor wise,” they said.
It remains to be seen whether the national DSA’s minor changes to their COVID policy will cause an irreconcilable rift in their organization, though the Maine chapter maintains that they are still excited for the convention.
“A heartfelt message from our elected 2025 National Convention delegates. We are SO excited for convention, while also acknowledging the truths above! We’re holding both of these feelings at once,” they said.
