Masks inhibit the most fundamental communication API we have. Faces. Our occipital lobes and the vision system is trained to identify faces for a number of thin

Masks inhibit the most fundamental communication API we have. Faces. Our occipital lobes and the vision system is trained to identify faces for a number of things from gauging emotions to assessing symmetry for mating. It is so deeply ingrained in us. It makes me think that cutting off half of the face is going to lead to developmental issues in people, I am not qualified to predict. Not directly relevant but there was a cool neurology experiment where they flipped faces upside down and people couldn't even recognize President Obama [1]. I also understand that Masks prevent people spitting large droplets. But no one seems to be raising concerns that we've starved kids from one of the most evolutionarily significant aspects of humans - facial communication. Would be great if academics/scientists who are far greater qualified in this matter try to understand what impact masks will have on kids - something tells me they are going to face opposition. [1] I learned about this experiment from the Introduction to Human Brain course at MIT. I watched the entire thing a couple of years ago, it was truly eye opening and I believe the professor had an AMA on HN at time. Check it out: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/brain-and-cognitive-sciences/9-13-the-human-brain-spring-2019/ https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/brain-and-cognitive-sciences/9-1...