At the time, inmates were required to wear COVID-19 masks but not while consuming medication, per McAbee's complaint. "Defendant Lancaster saw Mr. McAbee approach and yelled at him to put a mask on," the complaint says, alleging that Lancaster ordered McAbee back to his cell. "Mr. McAbee replied that he was going to get his medication. But Cobb noted how reaching that conclusion would require the court to "draw inferences" from McAbee's complaint in her favor. As a result, the judge said she "cannot ignore McAbee's allegations, which sufficiently state a claim for unconstitutionally excessive force."