UNLESS the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) rescinds the obnoxiously hazardous rule, by July 31 motorcycle backriders will be required to mount a barrier between the driver and passenger or risk apprehension and a fine. The task force calls it a “protective” barrier, but that is a shameful misrepresentation.

We first added our voice to the public storm of protest over this stupid requirement in this space about two weeks ago, but to no avail. The only modification the government made to the rule was to delay its enforcement from July 10 to July 31.