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I think you're overthinking this, especially as to hidden psychological motivations. The primary reason some people still mask is very simple: For anyone who
by lisasays 3y ago
I think you're overthinking this, especially as to hidden psychological motivations.
The primary reason some people still mask is very simple: For anyone who follows basic science, not what the crowd is doing -- N95 masks in enclosed / crowded situations are still a good idea, especially for those of a certain age.
Many people continue to wear useless (or only marginally) useful masks, and in non-crowded situations (even way out in the open). Which of course ranges from silly to, at best, only marginally useful. However it seems safe to suppose that they're doing so primarily out of strictly rational concerns (however faulty their understanding of better masking practices may be). Some partially, or entirely out of fear (an understandable reaction, if they've experienced a heavy bout of Covid, or have seen its effects in others).
Also, some may remember the temporary shortage of N95s, and still think they're being good, self-sacrificing citizens by wearing less effective (or even basically useless) masks. Or they just don't like wearing N95s because they're too constricting (meaning, "too effective"). However, that is at best a secondary factory, and not the main reason why they choose to mask in the first place.
But to recap: For the vast majority of folks who mask, it's mostly out of a (perhaps flawed) sense of pragmatism -- not because they are superstitious idiots, or primarily motivated by some subconscious desire to make a social statement about "who they are".
- NoZebra120vClip 3y ago"The basic science" says that masking protects other people if I am infected with a comparatively high viral load and I am prone to sneezing or coughing unprotected. The basic science tells me to stay home when that happens because I am not fit for public appearances. Normal people stay home when they're sick, they don't infect others, and the basic science takes care of that just fine. If crazy people want to follow "basic science" and mask up and go out in public while they're carrying an infectious viral load, then I guess we're in Japan or something. If "basic science" compels the general populace to mask up, even when we're uninfected, unexposed, vaccinated, and asymptomatic, then I feel sorry for basic science because it's jumped the shark.
- lisasays 3y agoIt also says that it does protect you from other people's loads, albeit imperfectly. However everyone is tired of masking now, and prefers to forget this.
- willcipriano 3y agoPhrasing
- NoZebra120vClip 3y agoWhen masking was first being mandated, I watched a science-guy video as he demonstrated how to properly handle a mask, donning and doffing, shaping the nosepiece, disinfection for reusable masks, etc. Then I saw reality, where a medical professional would politely remove her mask to sneeze.
- hn976827 3y ago[flagged]
- jrockway 3y agoFor me the best effect of masking was keeping my hands out of my mouth. I love chewing on those things, which have touched God Knows What disease sources. Put a mask on, no longer physically possible. 3 years without being sick. Who can complain.
- hn976827 3y ago[flagged]
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]