2 ms·

I mean that's definitely true, but I'm not even sure what political camp should be angered by this particular discussion. It's decidedly pro-mask, although I gu

I mean that's definitely true, but I'm not even sure what political camp should be angered by this particular discussion. It's decidedly pro-mask, although I guess if warped it could be read as excusing anti-masker behavior. The only other thing I can think of is people that were toeing the party line back then getting upset by being (sort of) called out. I don't think anti-mask is a popular sentiment on HN, so I doubt that is driving the vote. But this isn't the first time I've seen downvotes on this topic. And it's not like HN loves authority or the biomedical research establishment in general.

wutbrodo 5y ago
> It's decidedly pro-mask, although I guess if warped it could be read as excusing anti-masker behavior This is exactly it. Anti-maskers/anti-restrictionists seized on the stupidity of our early mask policy (and subsequent flip-flop to sanity) as evidence that restriction policy isn't in the interests of public health, but just a power grab by elites. Denying that this ever happened lets their simpleton counterparts stick to a simple narrative, where masks have always and obviously been a good idea and any deviation from the maximalist consensus needs to be crushed without any equivocation or weakness.[1] By contrast, the "war" right now is against vaccine hesitancy[2]. There are no Trumpists or other hated subcultures that are gung-ho on vaccines, so the J&J pause is interpreted simply as "scaring people away from vaccines" during a time when we need vaccines (this is unfortunately correct[3]) For a person infected with tribal-brain, consistency with reality is more or less irrelevant. HN is heavily-populated or at least influenced by subcultures (Bay Area, tech) that have been religiously adherent to the appearance of compliance and performative self-abnegation as a response to the pandemic (like a milder version of the Flagellants during the Black Death). [1] Hence also the ritualistic obsession with masking in places where it isn't necessary. My girlfriend gets uncomfortable that I often take my mask off outdoors when we're walking around, despite it being clear for almost a year that there's minimal risk from doing so, especially when walking swiftly (on top of that, we're both fully-vaccinated). She acknowledges this is irrational, but it's not too difficult to try to meet her in the middle and so I keep it on more often than I'd like. [2] Fascinatingly, US vaccine willingness now polls at ~61% while % vaccinated is 55%. We're effectively in the phase where demand is the challenge. [3] https://mobile.twitter.com/FT__Dan/status/1387531815464751108 https://mobile.twitter.com/FT__Dan/status/138753181546475110...
- pradn 5y ago
  > HN is heavily-populated or at least influenced by subcultures (Bay Area, tech) that have been religiously adherent to the appearance of compliance and performative self-abnegation as a response to the pandemic (like a milder version of the Flagellants during the Black Death). Spot on. Some people like following rules, and lording their compliance over others. None of this precludes the goodness of following pandemic rules, however.
- caddemon 5y ago
  That Twitter thread was interesting, thanks! Looks like later in the thread they seem to suggest mRNA vaccine hesitancy hasn't necessarily increased, so I don't think it's as concerning as the first graph makes it seem. But we are lucky in the US to have pretty good supply of the mRNA versions. Regarding 2, hopefully restrictions introduced by airlines, clubs, sporting events, theme parks, etc. will push anybody on the fence to get a vaccine over the coming months. Once things really start to open up I imagine FOMO can be a real driver.

wutbrodo 5y ago

> It's decidedly pro-mask, although I guess if warped it could be read as excusing anti-masker behavior This is exactly it. Anti-maskers/anti-restrictionists seized on the stupidity of our early mask policy (and subsequent flip-flop to sanity) as evidence that restriction policy isn't in the interests of public health, but just a power grab by elites. Denying that this ever happened lets their simpleton counterparts stick to a simple narrative, where masks have always and obviously been a good idea and any deviation from the maximalist consensus needs to be crushed without any equivocation or weakness.[1] By contrast, the "war" right now is against vaccine hesitancy[2]. There are no Trumpists or other hated subcultures that are gung-ho on vaccines, so the J&J pause is interpreted simply as "scaring people away from vaccines" during a time when we need vaccines (this is unfortunately correct[3]) For a person infected with tribal-brain, consistency with reality is more or less irrelevant. HN is heavily-populated or at least influenced by subcultures (Bay Area, tech) that have been religiously adherent to the appearance of compliance and performative self-abnegation as a response to the pandemic (like a milder version of the Flagellants during the Black Death). [1] Hence also the ritualistic obsession with masking in places where it isn't necessary. My girlfriend gets uncomfortable that I often take my mask off outdoors when we're walking around, despite it being clear for almost a year that there's minimal risk from doing so, especially when walking swiftly (on top of that, we're both fully-vaccinated). She acknowledges this is irrational, but it's not too difficult to try to meet her in the middle and so I keep it on more often than I'd like. [2] Fascinatingly, US vaccine willingness now polls at ~61% while % vaccinated is 55%. We're effectively in the phase where demand is the challenge. [3] https://mobile.twitter.com/FT__Dan/status/1387531815464751108 https://mobile.twitter.com/FT__Dan/status/138753181546475110...

pradn 5y ago
> HN is heavily-populated or at least influenced by subcultures (Bay Area, tech) that have been religiously adherent to the appearance of compliance and performative self-abnegation as a response to the pandemic (like a milder version of the Flagellants during the Black Death). Spot on. Some people like following rules, and lording their compliance over others. None of this precludes the goodness of following pandemic rules, however.
caddemon 5y ago
That Twitter thread was interesting, thanks! Looks like later in the thread they seem to suggest mRNA vaccine hesitancy hasn't necessarily increased, so I don't think it's as concerning as the first graph makes it seem. But we are lucky in the US to have pretty good supply of the mRNA versions. Regarding 2, hopefully restrictions introduced by airlines, clubs, sporting events, theme parks, etc. will push anybody on the fence to get a vaccine over the coming months. Once things really start to open up I imagine FOMO can be a real driver.