I'm not saying masks do nothing, but is what they do really enough to justify robotic-like adherence to wearing them
If masks do something, even if that is just reduce the risk the infection of x people out of a hundred, how does this not justify what is ultimately a pretty mild inconvenience? Considering that virus spread is exponential, (meaning that one infection doesn't remain as just one, it is constantly doubling as it works through the population) even if we are just talking about 1 out of a 100, or 1 out of 1000, this can have a significant impact down the road.
When I see phrasing like 'robotic like adherence' in conversations like these, it seems to have an implication that we are just doing this out of some mindless reflex. But masks make a difference, however small it may seem at the moment. No matter how true it is that they aren't the solution to this problem. They make a difference. And during a pandemic, every case counts. This isn't a case of robotic like adherence.. It is the flat out logical response to an airborn virus that has killed god knows how many people at this point. And at no other time in history can I imagine such a thing as a mandate for mask wearing being considered controversial or greeted with skepticism. Exactly who wins if we over throw the mask mandaters? I honestly want to know.
If you were to ask me what robotic like adherence looks like, it would be more in line with those who have been eager to muddy the waters regarding mask wearing. Like, why is this even a thing? Where the **** did all of this come from? I can wrap my head around those who protest against curfews or lock downs or stores closing or holidays being cancelled. I can see why these, at least for some, may be viewed as sacrifices that are one step too far. I don't see these issues as pure black and white, regardless of what I ultimately think should be done. I can debate those in good faith. But ****ing mask wearing? The math should be simple on this. They help (even if they don't help as much as some people may think) and we lose virtually nothing by adhering to these regulations. End of story.