# How do we change the public conversation around people who violate mask restrictions? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [July 24, 2021, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197 "2021-07-24T15:24:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/21 "2021-07-25T05:00:33Z")
Maskless people are the equivalent of drunk drivers that also don’t wear seatbelts. My eldest kidlet at University has taken to giving non mask wearers the thumbs down sign. Kinda confuses 'em. I work for a global 100 company. We’re still trying to figure it out. Seattle has over 80% at least one shot vaccinated. In the office, if one self attests to being vaccinated, we are no longer required to wear masks in public areas. Except that most of us are because we have colleagues with children that are too young to vaccinate. While odds are low that vaccinated people don’t have breakthru covid, and if they do, it looks like they aren’t all that infectous, and the parent should be fully vaccinated, so it’s pretty unlikely the parent too would have breakthru covid and infect their kids. Still, I don’t want to kill someone’s vulnerable relative, and it’s no big deal to mask up in common areas. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/22 "2021-07-25T05:53:17Z")
> [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > But I can’t help but wonder: what can we, as a society, do to shame people into following the clearly posted rules that are broadcast on loudspeakers, posted on fluorescent pink signs, etc. all over the CTA, that masks are required for everyone, covering your nose and mouth, even if you are vaccinated? At this point? Nothing, and we need to stop trying because it isn’t working and just pisses the nutjobs off even more. Shaming people into compliance doesn’t work at the best of times (at best you get them to keep their opinions to themselves) We’ve just had literally tens of thousands of people marching through three of our major cities over this stuff and quite a bit of their pushback is from a place of “Fuck you, you’re not my real parents!” (ie “Stop telling us what to do”) The best thing we can do at this point is wear a mask yourself, get vaccinated if you can, and avoid the nutters where possible. Stressing about what the idiots are doing isn’t helpful or good for you. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/23 "2021-07-25T06:04:19Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > The best thing we can do at this point is wear a mask yourself, get vaccinated if you can, and avoid the nutters where possible. Stressing about what the idiots are doing isn’t helpful or good for you. I am vaccinated and wearing a mask in public indoor places. I avoid the nutters to the extent I can. Unfortunately I think that is increasingly not going to be enough to keep safe. And keeping from stressing is not one of my strengths. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/24 "2021-07-25T23:41:45Z")
Just went to the local grocery store. It was, luckily, not crowded, because no one other than me was masked. I dunno. People seem to be determined to ensure that COVID will be here forever. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/25 "2021-07-26T04:35:10Z")
I dunno. Maybe people are following the current CDC guidelines. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/26 "2021-07-26T10:53:32Z")
Indeed, they are, and they are likely based on inaccurate/outdated data collection ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/27 "2021-07-26T12:34:15Z")
And/or they have a lower risk tolerance than the average person and/or higher risk factors. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/28 "2021-07-26T21:41:40Z")
So you think that the scientists at the CDC are using inaccurate/outdated information? Cite? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/29 "2021-07-26T21:45:16Z")
> **[The CDC is being influenced by corporate and political interests](https://vaccine.guide/misconduct/centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention/the-cdc-is-being-influenced-by-corporate-and-political-interests/)** > > The CDC is being influenced by corporate and political interests ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/30 "2021-07-26T21:50:07Z")
Absolutely, folks should do whatever their own risk tolerance allows. However, I disagree with people imposing _their_ level of risk tolerance on others. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/31 "2021-07-26T21:53:02Z")
Do you have a real cite? Because Incentives/Marketing/Misconduct is not. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/32 "2021-07-26T21:59:37Z")
The CDC is not my “go-to” for advice on response to COVID-19. I’m still masking, though fully vaccinated (yay, Pfizer!). I’m also still requiring (_not_ requesting) my clients be masked at work, regardless of what their claimed vaccine status is. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/33 "2021-07-26T22:08:45Z")
Right, you do you in your business and life. But that doesn’t mean “The CDC is being influenced by corporate and political interests” as you claimed. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/34 "2021-07-26T23:29:34Z")
That’s not what I am doing. The CDC continues to recommend mask requirements on public transportation. My local public transportation system requires masks for everyone, regardless of vaccination status. Some people ignore the requirement. Thus the OP. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/35 "2021-07-27T00:38:44Z")
> [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > My local public transportation system requires masks for everyone, regardless of vaccination status. Some people ignore the requirement. Thus the OP. I have seen that in Philadelphia. It seems very hard to enforce. I don’t want bus drivers arguing with patrons over this. Then, I don’t like arguments with fare evaders, either. The only semi-answer I can think of is arrest by vaccinated and masked transit police, followed by an hour or two in confinement, followed by release. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/36 "2021-07-27T01:49:30Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > arrest by vaccinated and masked transit police, followed by an hour or two in confinement, followed by release. Stocks for a few hours in a public area. Ideally rotten fruit/vegetables nearby. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2021, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/37 "2021-08-16T15:17:21Z")
I took mass transit (DC Metro) last week for the first time since February 2020. Masks are required on all such transit. While it was not terribly crowded (since telework is still very much the norm around here), most people were masked - though I did spot several who were not. Part of the issue, I imagine, is that there are no efforts to enforce it. There was no evidence of Metro police anywhere. I did not bother to approach either person I recall maskless (well, one had a mask… under his nose) as they were both clearly dangerous fools. Contrast this with the bus at Acadia National Park - where masks WERE enforced, and one fellow nearly got thrown off the bus because he kept trying to take his off. Honestly, I think there needs to be a combination of legal enforcement, and major public shaming, before the maskholes will change their behavior. I expect that bus in Acadia would have entailed the driver pulling the bus over until the idiot vacated, with other bus riders screaming at him to leave and possibly ganging up on him to eject him. FWIW, there was a box of masks available on that bus in Acadia. I think, but am not sure, that there were masks available for Metro riders as well if needed (having brought my own, it was a nonissue). ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2021, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197/38 "2021-08-16T15:28:35Z")
> [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > I’m fully vaccinated, too, and have continued to mask anyway. With my crappy lungs, I don’t wat even a mild case of COVID. Ditto - especially given what we’re hearing lately on the Delta variant and breakthrough cases. We all had the Pfizer vaccine which seems to have a lower rate of effectiveness against Delta (albeit, still largely preventing more serious illness). I recently started working for a project which is headquartered in one of the states with poorer masking / vaccination rates and was deeply worried that I might have to physically go there, at least occasionally. So far that has not been an issue. The trip would include an airplane flight, which for some reason doesn’t excite me… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-change-the-public-conversation-around-people-who-violate-mask-restrictions/947197.md?page=1)