# The pro-mask side needs to step up its influencing game **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [July 20, 2020, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842 "2020-07-20T15:21:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![RealityCheck71](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitycheck71/32/3493_2.png) [@RealityCheck71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityCheck71)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/61 "2020-07-21T00:20:09Z")
That’s what I was trying to say. Saying “maskholes” are trying to kill you doesn’t exactly deescalate the situation. If you say “too late, now it’s war”, ok fine. Plenty on the other side agree. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/62 "2020-07-21T00:25:13Z")
> [@RealityCheck71](#): > > Saying “maskholes” are trying to kill you doesn’t exactly deescalate the situation. That’s too bad, and it was said in the pit. And it’s true. ---
**Author:** ![RealityCheck71](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitycheck71/32/3493_2.png) [@RealityCheck71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityCheck71)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/63 "2020-07-21T00:28:48Z")
No, it was said in this thread. > [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > > [@Joey\_P](#): > > > > The non-mask wearers have chosen to kill _us_ on this hill. > > My words exactly. You type faster than I can ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/64 "2020-07-21T00:29:50Z")
> [@eschrodinger](#): > > I am on the same side as you, and I disagree with this strongly. People generally do what makes them feel good or safe, and they marshal reasons to support that. As has been posted, the psychology of not wearing masks is that this is a scary time, people are in denial, and/or trying to control the things they can control. It isn’t motivated by wanting to harm the world. It’s motivated by not wanting to face something very scary. Which is a very human trait that we all suffer from sometimes. There are some who are confused. They may not understand what is best to keep them safe. They may be motivated to do what is easy and convenient, rather than what is best, and turn to any available rationalizations to do so. If they seek rationalizations that they know are disingenuous, they are looking for a rationalization not to not wear a mask, but to harm society. However, they may be helped by effective PSAs and supplies, along with some encouragements for doing their part for society. Then there are the ones sowing the confusion. They are the ones who really want society to fail, as they see a way to advance their own interests in such a chaotic environment. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/65 "2020-07-21T00:31:47Z")
If someone points a gun at you, acknowledging that they are posing a threat to you is not intended to deescalate the situation, it is to inform your own actions in how to protect yourself from the threat. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/66 "2020-07-21T00:33:28Z")
I see no “maskholes” in what you quoted. That’s what was in your complaint. And makholes don’t give a flying fuck if they kill people. That’s why they have an unflattering name (that I’m pretty sure Bo made up), and if that’s the worst that happens to them, they’re getting off light. ---
**Author:** ![RealityCheck71](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitycheck71/32/3493_2.png) [@RealityCheck71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityCheck71)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/67 "2020-07-21T00:36:53Z")
“Maskholes” is a word from the internet at large. I don’t think Bo made it up. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/68 "2020-07-21T00:38:40Z")
OK, but maskholes still don’t care if they kill people. Do you think they do? ---
**Author:** ![RealityCheck71](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitycheck71/32/3493_2.png) [@RealityCheck71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityCheck71)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/69 "2020-07-21T00:40:16Z")
I think at least a good portion think this disease is mostly bullshit hype and no, don’t think they are risking people’s lives. Eta: remember how some kids purposely stepped on cracks because they didn’t believe it broke someone’s back? Kinda the same. ---
**Author:** ![ThisIsTheEnd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisistheend/32/4713_2.png) [@ThisIsTheEnd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisIsTheEnd)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/70 "2020-07-21T00:47:46Z")
No “influencing” will work. There’s 4 reasons people don’t wear masks: 1. Don’t want to look weak 2. If I act like everything’s normal, then everything IS normal 3. Fealty to Trump (who knew the underlying psychology of # 1 and #2 among the base existed and exploited it) 4. DGAF The fact Trump might wear now a mask from time to time means nothing, they think he’s just winking at them. Mandates are the only thing that will work. You won’t get 100% compliance, but you don’t need to. Mandates also give cover to the #1 and #3 types. I’m surprised there aren’t Trump 2020 masks, Gadsden Flag masks, etc. ---
**Author:** ![ThisIsTheEnd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisistheend/32/4713_2.png) [@ThisIsTheEnd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisIsTheEnd)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/71 "2020-07-21T00:49:00Z")
> [@RealityCheck71](#): > > I think at least a good portion think this disease is mostly bullshit hype and no, don’t think they are risking people’s lives. Nobody believes that, it’s a fig leaf just like the “freedom” bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/72 "2020-07-21T00:49:50Z")
What I don’t understand is why this needs such deep psychological analysis. How about just make wearing a mask in indoor public spaces mandated by law in whatever regions need it, be it state-wide or by municipality? That’s what we did here in Ontario; mind you, we don’t go around murdering each other over mask policy when turned away from a store. I did hear about one guy who made the news by yelling racial epithets against a store employee for refusing him entry without a mask. He was eventually forced to leave, and later turned himself in to police when he heard there was a warrant out for his arrest for causing a disturbance, a criminal charge under Section 175 (1) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Is the US a nation of laws or isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/73 "2020-07-21T00:51:39Z")
> [@ThisIsTheEnd](#): > > > [@RealityCheck71](#): > > > > I think at least a good portion think this disease is mostly bullshit hype and no, don’t think they are risking people’s lives. > > Nobody believes that, it’s a fig leaf just like the “freedom” bullshit Don’t underestimate the stupidity of the average stupidhead Trump supporter. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/74 "2020-07-21T00:52:27Z")
> [@RealityCheck71](#): > > Eta: remember how some kids purposely stepped on cracks because they didn’t believe it broke someone’s back? Kinda the same That’s a quote from the center for disease control, or Dr. Fauci, or some other accredited source, I take it. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/75 "2020-07-21T00:55:56Z")
No, I don’t think that they actually believe that, they just rationalize it. If any mothers were in traction due to kids jumping on cracks, we’d feel differently about that too. Reality is what remains when you stop believing in it. ---
**Author:** ![RealityCheck71](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitycheck71/32/3493_2.png) [@RealityCheck71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityCheck71)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/76 "2020-07-21T00:59:09Z")
What? Do you think I was advocating that idea? I wasn’t. Yeesh. For the record, I was sorta anti-mask law. I didn’t begrudge people wearing them but I am perhaps overly sensitive to “theater” measures. I am now happy enough with evidence for mask benefits and no longer buy the early concerns that recommended against general mask usage. I personally was persuaded by evidence. FWIW. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/77 "2020-07-21T01:02:36Z")
> [@RealityCheck71](#): > > Saying “maskholes” are trying to kill you doesn’t exactly deescalate the situation. So back where we started. That’s too bad. Because maskholes don’t care if they kill you. But we’d better be nice to them? Nope. ---
**Author:** ![RealityCheck71](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitycheck71/32/3493_2.png) [@RealityCheck71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityCheck71)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/78 "2020-07-21T01:04:38Z")
I guess we’re back where we started if you decide to ignore everything said in the interim. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/79 "2020-07-21T01:10:10Z")
I’m not ignoring jack fucking shit. For now. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842/80 "2020-07-21T01:11:41Z")
Resist harder than screaming, pulling down racks of stuff, purposely coughing into a baby’s face? We’re four months into this and over 140,000 deaths. What the fuck will it take? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-mask-side-needs-to-step-up-its-influencing-game/915842.md?page=5)