"Provide an excuse" Please define because if it is just a check the box for the appropriate reason then it is the same as no excuse voting.
Each state of the 17 has a different standard of the level of documentation needed to support your "excuse". It is not the same as no excuse voting --- for one if your excuse is found to be faked after you cast your ballot then your ballot is tossed. In none of the 17 states is "I'm scared of COVID" considered a valid excuse.
No but many states have very general excuses on their form which you do not need to prove. Caregiver of children Work health issues etc...
How about you cite what the excuses are for the 17 states so you have the facts to make your claim, I have seen some ballots where it is check the box and no one is coming to your house to verify which box you checked.... really?
There are links in the state by state summary I posted to the rules in all 17 states including the list of valid excuses -- go look them up. Find me one excuse that says "I'm scared of COVID" (or something similar) is a valid excuse.