https://twitter.com/phil_hellmuth/status/1754969949712552074
https://twitter.com/ikepoker/status/1755105453007335853
https://twitter.com/ikepoker/status/1755106924109176893
https://twitter.com/ikepoker/status/1755109820909453764
https://twitter.com/RealKidPoker/status/1755114510309069252
https://twitter.com/RealKidPoker/status/1755311653913268638
https://twitter.com/RealKidPoker/status/1755330610330296499
https://twitter.com/phil_hellmuth/status/1755361199678689305
https://twitter.com/phil_hellmuth/status/1755389188797530503
https://twitter.com/hoewithacamera/status/1755400095095275557
More people are on Ike's side than Hellmuth's, but there are a fair number of people who agree with Hellmuth, including me.
While surgical-type masks were allowed at poker tournaments pre-COVID, I believe the giant N95 ones worn by Haxton would have been against the rules -- and if they weren't, they should have been.
Playing in the casino has always carried some risks, especially catching viruses. If you can't handle that, don't play. Facial tells are a part of the game at the higher limits, where you're less likely to find blatant strategical errors to exploit. You should not be able to cover a large portion of your face with a mask.
Someone brought up in Ike's defense that there are players who cover their entire face with a hoodie. I agree that should be banned, as well.
Others brought up that maybe Ike has some kind of health issue requiring the masking. I countered with the fact that Ike didn't wear a mask until 2 years ago, and he was fine playing without one for all of the 2010s. Furthermore, he has never once claimed to have an unusual health issue to where COVID would be a threat to him at age 38.
I don't care if Ike wears a mask. If I saw him at the store or in a restaurant with that mask, I would think it's weird, but I wouldn't hold it against him. But should he be covering most of his face at high roller events, where it's an edge to him to do so? No. He should take it off, or stay home.