A district court judge dismissed a Boston-area man’s complaint that Whole Foods Markets Group’s mask policy violated his religious beliefs, with claims 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 started 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’ Jan. 21 opinion.