If you (individual or country) are still masking, why will you ever stop?

[Aeschines]

@InternetLegend

(I’ve quote just two paragraphs I want to address; if this is unacceptable, I’m sure a mod will let me know?)

To my knowledge, we don’t have to worry about “fair use” within threads…

When you say, "Sure, there are the vulnerable, " as if these people are a rare aberration among an overwhelmingly robust population, and then you go on to a) dismiss them and b) assume that a young woman who looked healthy to you can’t number among them or their household members, you can see where some of us might feel disregarded, surely. And hospitals (and doctors’ offices) are places the vulnerable are most likely to be unable to avoid.

I don’t think you’re wrong. Covid made us think about the vulnerable in new ways. There are no doubt different ways, then, of dealing with this new consciousness. Japan seems to be taking the tack of masking for eternity.

The cost-benefit calculation is difficult. I don’t dismiss the vulnerable. At the same time, I think there are a large number of people who are masking out of generic fear.

Mr. Legend is under treatment, so far successful, to delay the progress of Stage 4 cancer. His oncologist has asked him to please not get Covid if at all possible. Our adult daughter, who lives with us, is in excellent health, and I’d bet that most of the people in the school where she works don’t know about her dad’s condition. She’ll be wearing a (high-quality N95) mask until she’s reasonably certain she won’t be regularly exposed to a novel virus that plays havoc with the immune and cardiovascular systems.

I’m sorry you’re dealing with health issues. Cancer is a dick. So is covid.

In the meantime, if it makes you sad that you can’t see the lower half of my face, feel free to look away.

I don’t blame anyone for making a rational masking choice for themselves.