[matz1]

>This sentiment right here is probably the single most depressing thing for me, as an American. I’m not even mad anymore.

Likewise is depressing that people are so afraid of a little risk these days.

>We had the opportunity to work together as a nation to overcome Covid. The virus doesn’t care about politics, culture, religion. But as we’ve seen, nothing can overcome American individualism.

Its not only about me. Plenty of people do not like mask.

>No one is trying to take away freedom with a mask. There are much more effective techniques for undermining personal freedoms.

Trying to force people to wear mask is by definition taking away freedom.

>To not wear masks, knowing the risks it imposes on the unvaccinated, is to not care. And that is the sad part, people not caring about the people around them.

Likewise, do you care about people who do not want to wear mask ?

>My children under 12 have not been vaccinated, and kids are not immune to covid. Masks are simple, effective tool in the fight against covid.

Your children is likely to be OK regardless of vaccination.

>I am relieved that our district is requiring masks. It’s the smart choice to keep our communities healthy and economically viable.

I'm relieved that our district is not requiring masks. It’s the smart choice to keep our communities healthy and economically viable.

[toast0]

> Its not only about me. Plenty of people do not like mask.

Look, I don't like wearing masks either. They often hurt my ears, and my glasses fog up depending on conditions, and they're uncomfortable in many other ways. Some of these things could probably be fixed, but mostly I enjoy being a hermit, so I can deal with it.

But, I really don't like all of the negative consequences of uncontrolled community spread worse. If the ICUs are full and I get an injury or other illness that needs ICU treatment, that's not going to be good for me. If the funeral homes are overbooked and I die, my corpse may linger for months before it rests.

If it's too dangerous for my kid to go to school in person, I'm going to have to hear more of the most awful video conferences ever this year. I thought work VC was terrible when I had to do a couple hours a week, it's much worse when all of the participants are using home networking, and nobody has a decent connection and everyone has their volume at max and are yelling; I like that a whole hell of a lot less than wearing a mask.

[aantix]

How long would you wear a mask if the risk levels remained consistent, for the next century?

What's your personal threshold? Another year? 5 years? 10 years without seeing a stranger's smile/laugh? The rest of your life?

[nradov]

What are the specific, quantitative criteria which determine whether it's too dangerous for children to go to school?

[jcpst]

Thanks for the contribution to this discussion.

People don’t like masks, got it. People don’t like seatbelts either. In both cases, society pays the cost. But at the same time, these rugged freedom fighters crusading for a false sense of individualism have no issue with reaping the benefits of living in a well-funded society full of services, full of people that care about other’s well being.

I think there might be assumption made that everyone who wears masks likes it. I don’t like it. But it’s easy, and I like taking simple measures that help keep my family and community safe.

Like a seatbelt, a simple tool that is easy to use and saves lives. Also like a seatbelt, not using it places a potential burden on those around you.

[dwaltrip]

Masks are far more annoying than seatbelts. I got vaccinated. I don’t mind wearing the mask in stores. But wearing it in a social environment does significantly alter the experience for the worse, in my opinion.

Why don’t we pay people to get vaccinated? And mandate that employers allow people to take days off if they are sick for a bit after the shot?