Photo: Protective masks used to stem the spread of COVID-19. Diego M. Radzinschi/ALM.

A district court judge dismissed a Boston-area man's complaint that Whole Foods Markets Group's mask policy violates his religious beliefs, that masks "are part of a satanic ritual," and that he "cannot slowly commit suicide by lowering his immune system and depriving himself of oxygen."

In early 2020, the supermarket chain instituted a policy that required all customers to wear face coverings while shopping in order to help protect employees, shoppers, and the community from spreading Covid-19, according to U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs' January 21 opinion.

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Allison Dunn

Allison Dunn is a reporter on ALM's Rapid Response desk based in Ohio, covering impactful litigation filings and rulings, emerging legal trends, controversies in the industry, and everything in between. Contact her at [email protected]. On Twitter: @AllisonDWrites.

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