My social feeds are full of people saying masks are just for sheeple signifying compliance to their rulers and also full of people sharing diagrams, studies, and statistics on how masks prevent droplets from spreading the virus.
I respect both groups, but I see these groups disrespecting each other.
Pro-maskers think the other group is uneducated, selfish, and irrational, and don’t understand why such a simple act which is clearly effective and works well when everyone participates is rebelled against.
Non-maskers think the other group is unthinkingly fearful of a statistical non-issue while ignoring the real issue of compliance training which can lead to subservience and at worst, democide.
I’m holding space for the idea that both may be right.
I do think there is an actual virus which appears new to humans, and it does seem to mess with the human body in really nasty ways much worse than the flu. It’s possible some forms of it are far worse than others. It’s also possible high dose vitamin C and such may keep people healthy while the scare over it was out of place due to lower spread and mortality rates than previously thought. And maybe it’s possible social distancing and mask wearing has decreased spread numbers, though I know others who contest that idea. I understand that lives are at stake here and people are suffering. Many are suffering economically. Some are suffering personally due to the virus or people they know directly impacted by it.
I see fear of being ruled and fear of getting sick (or getting someone else sick).
Let’s replace fear with love.
I can walk down the street without a mask and smile at those who have them, knowing they are taking the steps they feel are necessary to manage their fear. I can go into a store with a mask and see someone not wearing one and smile (though they won’t see my smile, of course), becuase that person is doing what they feel is right to manage their fear (even if they categorize it as non-fear). If either chooses to give social distance to the other, so be it.
Whenever we judge others for actions they choose for themselves we are often doing so out of fear. Yes, the actions of others can impact me, but so can “acts of god” (in the legal sense of the phrase). Attempting to control others (through shaming, manipulation, disrespect, etc) is, in my opinion, a tragic expression of an unmet need. Well, love is all you need.
You can virtue signal with your mask or you can virtue signal with your meme making fun of those wearing masks, but I still see it as two sides of the same coin creating tribal divisions along ideological lines. Yes this stuff is important and yes you are probably convinced you are right with nothing able to change your mind. Please at least consider those who disagree with you completely feel the same way and the best path forward may be to hold space for that in love.