Popping in with a reminder that, despite the efforts of many conservatives, this is still a free country and people can wear what they want.

Anonymous wrote:13 pages in so who knows who's still reading but as a NP I heartily agree with the observation that it's politically driven.

People have strong political identities and they even confuse independent thinking with their political allegiances. They do what their political masters tell them is the morally right thing to do.

DC is hyperpartisan and it's not a surprise that the deep blue bubbles are still paranoid about COVID. Because they've convinced themselves it's the morally right thing to do. And they're very conscious of how others view them too, they don't want to be confused for a Republican so they stick to the masks.

In less politically intense places, even regular blue areas, people are nowhere as partisan and don't feel the need to virtue signal as much so the masks slip. And with fewer people wearing masks outdoors or even in stores, it encourages others to feel more relaxed about not wearing a mask.

I think all the propaganda you read it it’s made you extremely paranoid.

If you are wearing a mask for an extended period you can forget that you have it on.

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Anonymous wrote:I think it is about politics, but not directly. It's an extremely affluent, educated county and there is a lot of community-centric virtue signaling going on. There are so many high achieving rule followers in MoCo, people who were probably used to being "the best" at things, and now they'll be "the best" at not getting covid.

The funny thing to me is that a lot of it is anti-science, or, at least, science neutral. Wearing masks outdoors is widely viewed as theater. But that won't stop anxious MoCo Type A vigilant people from "doing everything they can to slow the curve/stop the spread/keep their families safe."

I live in another major (very blue) city that's more laid back in most respects from DC. It's definitely less covid-conscious than MoCo or most of the DC area, although the covid rates have never gotten particularly bad. People don't really mask outside, there are major festivals that people attend, no one is going to raise their eyebrows if you mention having eaten indoors at a restaurant, even with kids.

-- a progressive, liberal, Type A, scientifically-literate mom of 2 under 12 who rips her mask off as soon as my face hits the outdoor wind.

+1

I’m in MoCo, and will add that this is largely a thing in the more diverse parts of the county. We live in Silver Spring and people walk around outside in masks all the time here. When I take the kids to swim lessons in Rockville, masks are nowhere to be found on people strolling around. So, it’s a very specific kind of virtue-signaling, IMO. The most stringent mask wearers here are also the ones that were vehemently opposed to kids returning to school last year because “kids are resilient” and wanting schools to reopen was somehow racist. Please, tell me how that’s gone for kids’ health.

I refuse to play along because of the science-neutral (at best) aspect. I work at NIH, and I’m not participating in this charade. The funny thing is that there are a ton of NIH and FDA folks in our neighborhood, and none of us mask outside—we’re often the outliers at the playground.

So the people you pass on the street in SS wearing masks...you know how they feel about schools opening, etc.? Amazing. I live in that general area. In downtown SS I see a fair number of people of all ages, races and genders wearing masks outside walking around. On the trails and in the neighborhoods around there not too many people are still wearing masks, but there still are some. Again, the people wearing them do not fall into one category. I have no idea why they are wearing their masks. I know one woman who loves the protection against allergies. Some people seem to be keeping them on because they are walking between businesses or headed to a bus stop. Others I’m sure are just simply using them as more protection and I guess don’t mind the hassle. I’m not saying they are right or justified, but I also know that other people wearing a mask doesn’t hurt me at all, so do what you want, I say. In terms of virtue signaling, I don’t know...maybe some people have time to sit around and think about mask wearing in that context, but especially outside, I think that ship has sailed in terms of most people thinking mask wearing is the cool kid thing to do. Besides, instead of labeling people who appear more cautious virtue signallers, we could just move on and assume instead they have their own good reasons that work for them.

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Anonymous wrote:I think generally, very liberal areas tend to think of the collective, whereas the red areas are much more about the individual, and "I do what I like as long as it's not illegal".. "don't tread on me".

That's also why very liberal areas tend to have higher tax rates, higher minimum wage, more social welfare, do more things for the poor.

It's a collective mindset vs individual mindset.

BS. Liberals are generally very selfish people who only care about themselves and their kids. The rest is self-righteous performance.

That's pretty much it. Masking lets the type of self-important, self-righteous liberals who infest the DMV show off how much they care.

Masking is saving lives. Masking is helping to control COVID. Grow up and stop being the problem.

Masking outdoors is not saving lives or helping to control covid.

moco does not make you mask outdoors.

dp.. no, they don't, but the discussion isabout individuals who do so. IMO, it could be that they are immuno compromised. shrug.. not sure why some people get triggered by seeing people masked outdoors.

FWIW, I hate masks, but will wear it indoors if required.

If you are in very close contact, its a good idea outdoors. I hate masks too and can only do it short periods but always wear one.

If I was shoulder to shoulder, packed in with people like at a protest or something, then sure. But, most people aren't packed in shoulder to shoulder with others when outside.

DP, and agreed. I’m not “triggered,” but it pisses me off when people insist on masking outdoors as some kind of badge of caution, while insisting that kids still need lengthy quarantines and didn’t need in-person school last year. I’m tired of people who can’t or won’t acknowledge that COVID is not the only public health outcome in the world, and that their excessive caution on that front has negative consequences.

What are negative consequences for individuals that want to mask?

DP. You are missing the point.

The point I’m receiving is that you are a mentally ill person who wants all humans around you to conform to what you want to do or you get pissed, annoyed and fail to function as a human.

If that is your point, I got it. I suggest you get CBT therapy.

If that is not your point please explain your point to me.

You are the one who needs therapy if you don't think Covid is real or dangerous. Something is seriously wrong with you if you are against others masking for their health and for others health. You don't know if people have health issues or not. I do. I look perfectly healthy. You'd have to know me really well as I don't talk about it with friends or family as I learned long ago no one cares. You cannot tell me covid is no big deal without knowing my medical history or medications I'm on. You cannot tell me the vaccines are 100% in my body without testing. I don't have a choice but to mask and stay away from covid deniers, like yourself. It sucks, but our community is not a real community and most individuals only care about themselves, which is why we continue to have spread. Thanks for making my life suck.

The irony of this is that if we really acted in a utilitarian way we would have ended most COVID measures far sooner than we actually did. Schools wouldn't have stayed closed for more than a few weeks, and the same for businesses. A small minority has been making things suck for everyone else throughout the pandemic.

There is no evidence that this is the case.

Of course there is. Look at the breakdown of COVID deaths by age group, along with economic and educational impacts. It's pretty clear who benefitted from heavy-handed measures, like business and school closures, and who was screwed over.

And the answer shouldn't be a big surprise. Most of what's wrong with this country can be traced to the boomers.

I’m sorry, I completely misread your comment in a rush. I thought you were making the old argument that the lockdown could have been short if only everyone had complied, and that irresponsible behavior was to blame for long term closures. Rereading it I’m not sure where my brain was. I completely agree with you.

We never had any lockdowns.

No, we just closed businesses and schools, cancelled events, and limited travel while putting tens of millions out of work, forcing 1+ million parents out of the workforce, and causing broad harm to public education and increased inequality.

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s like a dog whistle to others that they do not support Trump and it shows they have a list of shared values, such as supporting pro choice, outlawing private gun ownership, and the like. It’s similar to republicans with don’t tread on me license plates.

I mean, I share those values but I’m not going to wear a mask outside or make my kids do so. Inside, yes. Outside, no. But this thread is about why so many people in MoCo go way above and beyond in the covid arena, beyond what’s necessary. And I find it odd that some neighborhoods do and some don’t. (I am the Leland Park PP!)

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Anonymous wrote:I think generally, very liberal areas tend to think of the collective, whereas the red areas are much more about the individual, and "I do what I like as long as it's not illegal".. "don't tread on me".

That's also why very liberal areas tend to have higher tax rates, higher minimum wage, more social welfare, do more things for the poor.

It's a collective mindset vs individual mindset.

BS. Liberals are generally very selfish people who only care about themselves and their kids. The rest is self-righteous performance.

That's pretty much it. Masking lets the type of self-important, self-righteous liberals who infest the DMV show off how much they care.

Masking is saving lives. Masking is helping to control COVID. Grow up and stop being the problem.

Masking outdoors is not saving lives or helping to control covid.

moco does not make you mask outdoors.

dp.. no, they don't, but the discussion isabout individuals who do so. IMO, it could be that they are immuno compromised. shrug.. not sure why some people get triggered by seeing people masked outdoors.

FWIW, I hate masks, but will wear it indoors if required.

If you are in very close contact, its a good idea outdoors. I hate masks too and can only do it short periods but always wear one.

If I was shoulder to shoulder, packed in with people like at a protest or something, then sure. But, most people aren't packed in shoulder to shoulder with others when outside.

DP, and agreed. I’m not “triggered,” but it pisses me off when people insist on masking outdoors as some kind of badge of caution, while insisting that kids still need lengthy quarantines and didn’t need in-person school last year. I’m tired of people who can’t or won’t acknowledge that COVID is not the only public health outcome in the world, and that their excessive caution on that front has negative consequences.

What are negative consequences for individuals that want to mask?

DP. You are missing the point.

The point I’m receiving is that you are a mentally ill person who wants all humans around you to conform to what you want to do or you get pissed, annoyed and fail to function as a human.

If that is your point, I got it. I suggest you get CBT therapy.

If that is not your point please explain your point to me.

You are the one who needs therapy if you don't think Covid is real or dangerous. Something is seriously wrong with you if you are against others masking for their health and for others health. You don't know if people have health issues or not. I do. I look perfectly healthy. You'd have to know me really well as I don't talk about it with friends or family as I learned long ago no one cares. You cannot tell me covid is no big deal without knowing my medical history or medications I'm on. You cannot tell me the vaccines are 100% in my body without testing. I don't have a choice but to mask and stay away from covid deniers, like yourself. It sucks, but our community is not a real community and most individuals only care about themselves, which is why we continue to have spread. Thanks for making my life suck.

The irony of this is that if we really acted in a utilitarian way we would have ended most COVID measures far sooner than we actually did. Schools wouldn't have stayed closed for more than a few weeks, and the same for businesses. A small minority has been making things suck for everyone else throughout the pandemic.

There is no evidence that this is the case.

Of course there is. Look at the breakdown of COVID deaths by age group, along with economic and educational impacts. It's pretty clear who benefitted from heavy-handed measures, like business and school closures, and who was screwed over.

And the answer shouldn't be a big surprise. Most of what's wrong with this country can be traced to the boomers.

Stop blaming the boomers. They are closer to death so its not a big deal for them. All age groups, except kids who don't know better, are behaving poorly.

If by "poorly" you mean "extraordinarily conservatively for overall societal risk" then yes, yes they are. They should have been acting normally long ago.

The boomers (and older) make up the vast majority of the substantially at-risk population. And as you suggested, the ones dying of COVID likely would have died or something else within 5-10 years.

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Anonymous wrote:I think generally, very liberal areas tend to think of the collective, whereas the red areas are much more about the individual, and "I do what I like as long as it's not illegal".. "don't tread on me".

That's also why very liberal areas tend to have higher tax rates, higher minimum wage, more social welfare, do more things for the poor.

It's a collective mindset vs individual mindset.

BS. Liberals are generally very selfish people who only care about themselves and their kids. The rest is self-righteous performance.

That's pretty much it. Masking lets the type of self-important, self-righteous liberals who infest the DMV show off how much they care.

Masking is saving lives. Masking is helping to control COVID. Grow up and stop being the problem.

Masking outdoors is not saving lives or helping to control covid.

moco does not make you mask outdoors.

dp.. no, they don't, but the discussion isabout individuals who do so. IMO, it could be that they are immuno compromised. shrug.. not sure why some people get triggered by seeing people masked outdoors.

FWIW, I hate masks, but will wear it indoors if required.

If you are in very close contact, its a good idea outdoors. I hate masks too and can only do it short periods but always wear one.

If I was shoulder to shoulder, packed in with people like at a protest or something, then sure. But, most people aren't packed in shoulder to shoulder with others when outside.

DP, and agreed. I’m not “triggered,” but it pisses me off when people insist on masking outdoors as some kind of badge of caution, while insisting that kids still need lengthy quarantines and didn’t need in-person school last year. I’m tired of people who can’t or won’t acknowledge that COVID is not the only public health outcome in the world, and that their excessive caution on that front has negative consequences.

What are negative consequences for individuals that want to mask?

DP. You are missing the point.

The point I’m receiving is that you are a mentally ill person who wants all humans around you to conform to what you want to do or you get pissed, annoyed and fail to function as a human.

If that is your point, I got it. I suggest you get CBT therapy.

If that is not your point please explain your point to me.

You are the one who needs therapy if you don't think Covid is real or dangerous. Something is seriously wrong with you if you are against others masking for their health and for others health. You don't know if people have health issues or not. I do. I look perfectly healthy. You'd have to know me really well as I don't talk about it with friends or family as I learned long ago no one cares. You cannot tell me covid is no big deal without knowing my medical history or medications I'm on. You cannot tell me the vaccines are 100% in my body without testing. I don't have a choice but to mask and stay away from covid deniers, like yourself. It sucks, but our community is not a real community and most individuals only care about themselves, which is why we continue to have spread. Thanks for making my life suck.

The irony of this is that if we really acted in a utilitarian way we would have ended most COVID measures far sooner than we actually did. Schools wouldn't have stayed closed for more than a few weeks, and the same for businesses. A small minority has been making things suck for everyone else throughout the pandemic.

There is no evidence that this is the case.

Of course there is. Look at the breakdown of COVID deaths by age group, along with economic and educational impacts. It's pretty clear who benefitted from heavy-handed measures, like business and school closures, and who was screwed over.

And the answer shouldn't be a big surprise. Most of what's wrong with this country can be traced to the boomers.

I’m sorry, I completely misread your comment in a rush. I thought you were making the old argument that the lockdown could have been short if only everyone had complied, and that irresponsible behavior was to blame for long term closures. Rereading it I’m not sure where my brain was. I completely agree with you.

We never had any lockdowns.

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Anonymous wrote:I think generally, very liberal areas tend to think of the collective, whereas the red areas are much more about the individual, and "I do what I like as long as it's not illegal".. "don't tread on me".

That's also why very liberal areas tend to have higher tax rates, higher minimum wage, more social welfare, do more things for the poor.

It's a collective mindset vs individual mindset.

BS. Liberals are generally very selfish people who only care about themselves and their kids. The rest is self-righteous performance.

That's pretty much it. Masking lets the type of self-important, self-righteous liberals who infest the DMV show off how much they care.

Masking is saving lives. Masking is helping to control COVID. Grow up and stop being the problem.

Masking outdoors is not saving lives or helping to control covid.

moco does not make you mask outdoors.

dp.. no, they don't, but the discussion isabout individuals who do so. IMO, it could be that they are immuno compromised. shrug.. not sure why some people get triggered by seeing people masked outdoors.

FWIW, I hate masks, but will wear it indoors if required.

If you are in very close contact, its a good idea outdoors. I hate masks too and can only do it short periods but always wear one.

If I was shoulder to shoulder, packed in with people like at a protest or something, then sure. But, most people aren't packed in shoulder to shoulder with others when outside.

DP, and agreed. I’m not “triggered,” but it pisses me off when people insist on masking outdoors as some kind of badge of caution, while insisting that kids still need lengthy quarantines and didn’t need in-person school last year. I’m tired of people who can’t or won’t acknowledge that COVID is not the only public health outcome in the world, and that their excessive caution on that front has negative consequences.

What are negative consequences for individuals that want to mask?

DP. You are missing the point.

The point I’m receiving is that you are a mentally ill person who wants all humans around you to conform to what you want to do or you get pissed, annoyed and fail to function as a human.

If that is your point, I got it. I suggest you get CBT therapy.

If that is not your point please explain your point to me.

You are the one who needs therapy if you don't think Covid is real or dangerous. Something is seriously wrong with you if you are against others masking for their health and for others health. You don't know if people have health issues or not. I do. I look perfectly healthy. You'd have to know me really well as I don't talk about it with friends or family as I learned long ago no one cares. You cannot tell me covid is no big deal without knowing my medical history or medications I'm on. You cannot tell me the vaccines are 100% in my body without testing. I don't have a choice but to mask and stay away from covid deniers, like yourself. It sucks, but our community is not a real community and most individuals only care about themselves, which is why we continue to have spread. Thanks for making my life suck.

The irony of this is that if we really acted in a utilitarian way we would have ended most COVID measures far sooner than we actually did. Schools wouldn't have stayed closed for more than a few weeks, and the same for businesses. A small minority has been making things suck for everyone else throughout the pandemic.

There is no evidence that this is the case.

Of course there is. Look at the breakdown of COVID deaths by age group, along with economic and educational impacts. It's pretty clear who benefitted from heavy-handed measures, like business and school closures, and who was screwed over.

And the answer shouldn't be a big surprise. Most of what's wrong with this country can be traced to the boomers.

Stop blaming the boomers. They are closer to death so its not a big deal for them. All age groups, except kids who don't know better, are behaving poorly.

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Anonymous wrote:I think generally, very liberal areas tend to think of the collective, whereas the red areas are much more about the individual, and "I do what I like as long as it's not illegal".. "don't tread on me".

That's also why very liberal areas tend to have higher tax rates, higher minimum wage, more social welfare, do more things for the poor.

It's a collective mindset vs individual mindset.

BS. Liberals are generally very selfish people who only care about themselves and their kids. The rest is self-righteous performance.

That's pretty much it. Masking lets the type of self-important, self-righteous liberals who infest the DMV show off how much they care.

Masking is saving lives. Masking is helping to control COVID. Grow up and stop being the problem.

Masking outdoors is not saving lives or helping to control covid.

moco does not make you mask outdoors.

dp.. no, they don't, but the discussion isabout individuals who do so. IMO, it could be that they are immuno compromised. shrug.. not sure why some people get triggered by seeing people masked outdoors.

FWIW, I hate masks, but will wear it indoors if required.

If you are in very close contact, its a good idea outdoors. I hate masks too and can only do it short periods but always wear one.

If I was shoulder to shoulder, packed in with people like at a protest or something, then sure. But, most people aren't packed in shoulder to shoulder with others when outside.

DP, and agreed. I’m not “triggered,” but it pisses me off when people insist on masking outdoors as some kind of badge of caution, while insisting that kids still need lengthy quarantines and didn’t need in-person school last year. I’m tired of people who can’t or won’t acknowledge that COVID is not the only public health outcome in the world, and that their excessive caution on that front has negative consequences.

What are negative consequences for individuals that want to mask?

DP. You are missing the point.

The point I’m receiving is that you are a mentally ill person who wants all humans around you to conform to what you want to do or you get pissed, annoyed and fail to function as a human.

If that is your point, I got it. I suggest you get CBT therapy.

If that is not your point please explain your point to me.

You are the one who needs therapy if you don't think Covid is real or dangerous. Something is seriously wrong with you if you are against others masking for their health and for others health. You don't know if people have health issues or not. I do. I look perfectly healthy. You'd have to know me really well as I don't talk about it with friends or family as I learned long ago no one cares. You cannot tell me covid is no big deal without knowing my medical history or medications I'm on. You cannot tell me the vaccines are 100% in my body without testing. I don't have a choice but to mask and stay away from covid deniers, like yourself. It sucks, but our community is not a real community and most individuals only care about themselves, which is why we continue to have spread. Thanks for making my life suck.

The irony of this is that if we really acted in a utilitarian way we would have ended most COVID measures far sooner than we actually did. Schools wouldn't have stayed closed for more than a few weeks, and the same for businesses. A small minority has been making things suck for everyone else throughout the pandemic.

There is no evidence that this is the case.

Of course there is. Look at the breakdown of COVID deaths by age group, along with economic and educational impacts. It's pretty clear who benefitted from heavy-handed measures, like business and school closures, and who was screwed over.

And the answer shouldn't be a big surprise. Most of what's wrong with this country can be traced to the boomers.

I’m sorry, I completely misread your comment in a rush. I thought you were making the old argument that the lockdown could have been short if only everyone had complied, and that irresponsible behavior was to blame for long term closures. Rereading it I’m not sure where my brain was. I completely agree with you.

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Anonymous wrote:I think generally, very liberal areas tend to think of the collective, whereas the red areas are much more about the individual, and "I do what I like as long as it's not illegal".. "don't tread on me".

That's also why very liberal areas tend to have higher tax rates, higher minimum wage, more social welfare, do more things for the poor.

It's a collective mindset vs individual mindset.

BS. Liberals are generally very selfish people who only care about themselves and their kids. The rest is self-righteous performance.

That's pretty much it. Masking lets the type of self-important, self-righteous liberals who infest the DMV show off how much they care.

Masking is saving lives. Masking is helping to control COVID. Grow up and stop being the problem.

Masking outdoors is not saving lives or helping to control covid.

moco does not make you mask outdoors.

dp.. no, they don't, but the discussion isabout individuals who do so. IMO, it could be that they are immuno compromised. shrug.. not sure why some people get triggered by seeing people masked outdoors.

FWIW, I hate masks, but will wear it indoors if required.

If you are in very close contact, its a good idea outdoors. I hate masks too and can only do it short periods but always wear one.

If I was shoulder to shoulder, packed in with people like at a protest or something, then sure. But, most people aren't packed in shoulder to shoulder with others when outside.

DP, and agreed. I’m not “triggered,” but it pisses me off when people insist on masking outdoors as some kind of badge of caution, while insisting that kids still need lengthy quarantines and didn’t need in-person school last year. I’m tired of people who can’t or won’t acknowledge that COVID is not the only public health outcome in the world, and that their excessive caution on that front has negative consequences.

What are negative consequences for individuals that want to mask?

DP. You are missing the point.

The point I’m receiving is that you are a mentally ill person who wants all humans around you to conform to what you want to do or you get pissed, annoyed and fail to function as a human.

If that is your point, I got it. I suggest you get CBT therapy.

If that is not your point please explain your point to me.

You are the one who needs therapy if you don't think Covid is real or dangerous. Something is seriously wrong with you if you are against others masking for their health and for others health. You don't know if people have health issues or not. I do. I look perfectly healthy. You'd have to know me really well as I don't talk about it with friends or family as I learned long ago no one cares. You cannot tell me covid is no big deal without knowing my medical history or medications I'm on. You cannot tell me the vaccines are 100% in my body without testing. I don't have a choice but to mask and stay away from covid deniers, like yourself. It sucks, but our community is not a real community and most individuals only care about themselves, which is why we continue to have spread. Thanks for making my life suck.

The irony of this is that if we really acted in a utilitarian way we would have ended most COVID measures far sooner than we actually did. Schools wouldn't have stayed closed for more than a few weeks, and the same for businesses. A small minority has been making things suck for everyone else throughout the pandemic.

There is no evidence that this is the case.

Of course there is. Look at the breakdown of COVID deaths by age group, along with economic and educational impacts. It's pretty clear who benefitted from heavy-handed measures, like business and school closures, and who was screwed over.

And the answer shouldn't be a big surprise. Most of what's wrong with this country can be traced to the boomers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think generally, very liberal areas tend to think of the collective, whereas the red areas are much more about the individual, and "I do what I like as long as it's not illegal".. "don't tread on me".

That's also why very liberal areas tend to have higher tax rates, higher minimum wage, more social welfare, do more things for the poor.

It's a collective mindset vs individual mindset.

BS. Liberals are generally very selfish people who only care about themselves and their kids. The rest is self-righteous performance.

That's pretty much it. Masking lets the type of self-important, self-righteous liberals who infest the DMV show off how much they care.

I don't know a single person who wears a mask to virtue signal. You either think it will help protect you and others or you don't. You are either worried about COVID or you aren't.

This is a bs right-wing talking point.

I'm sure you do- they're just not going to come out and say it.

I basically wear masks to virtue signal. I don't think it does any good in most situations I'm in, but there's a perception that wearing one in public demonstrates concern for others. So I'll wear the stupid mask, in the same way that I follow other rules of etiquette, but I certainly don't think there should be a mask mandate.

13 pages in so who knows who's still reading but as a NP I heartily agree with the observation that it's politically driven.

People have strong political identities and they even confuse independent thinking with their political allegiances. They do what their political masters tell them is the morally right thing to do.

DC is hyperpartisan and it's not a surprise that the deep blue bubbles are still paranoid about COVID. Because they've convinced themselves it's the morally right thing to do. And they're very conscious of how others view them too, they don't want to be confused for a Republican so they stick to the masks.

In less politically intense places, even regular blue areas, people are nowhere as partisan and don't feel the need to virtue signal as much so the masks slip. And with fewer people wearing masks outdoors or even in stores, it encourages others to feel more relaxed about not wearing a mask.

I think it’s like a dog whistle to others that they do not support Trump and it shows they have a list of shared values, such as supporting pro choice, outlawing private gun ownership, and the like. It’s similar to republicans with don’t tread on me license plates.

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Anonymous wrote:I think generally, very liberal areas tend to think of the collective, whereas the red areas are much more about the individual, and "I do what I like as long as it's not illegal".. "don't tread on me".

That's also why very liberal areas tend to have higher tax rates, higher minimum wage, more social welfare, do more things for the poor.

It's a collective mindset vs individual mindset.

BS. Liberals are generally very selfish people who only care about themselves and their kids. The rest is self-righteous performance.

That's pretty much it. Masking lets the type of self-important, self-righteous liberals who infest the DMV show off how much they care.

Masking is saving lives. Masking is helping to control COVID. Grow up and stop being the problem.

Masking outdoors is not saving lives or helping to control covid.

moco does not make you mask outdoors.

dp.. no, they don't, but the discussion isabout individuals who do so. IMO, it could be that they are immuno compromised. shrug.. not sure why some people get triggered by seeing people masked outdoors.

FWIW, I hate masks, but will wear it indoors if required.

If you are in very close contact, its a good idea outdoors. I hate masks too and can only do it short periods but always wear one.

If I was shoulder to shoulder, packed in with people like at a protest or something, then sure. But, most people aren't packed in shoulder to shoulder with others when outside.

DP, and agreed. I’m not “triggered,” but it pisses me off when people insist on masking outdoors as some kind of badge of caution, while insisting that kids still need lengthy quarantines and didn’t need in-person school last year. I’m tired of people who can’t or won’t acknowledge that COVID is not the only public health outcome in the world, and that their excessive caution on that front has negative consequences.

What are negative consequences for individuals that want to mask?

DP. You are missing the point.

The point I’m receiving is that you are a mentally ill person who wants all humans around you to conform to what you want to do or you get pissed, annoyed and fail to function as a human.

If that is your point, I got it. I suggest you get CBT therapy.

If that is not your point please explain your point to me.

You are the one who needs therapy if you don't think Covid is real or dangerous. Something is seriously wrong with you if you are against others masking for their health and for others health. You don't know if people have health issues or not. I do. I look perfectly healthy. You'd have to know me really well as I don't talk about it with friends or family as I learned long ago no one cares. You cannot tell me covid is no big deal without knowing my medical history or medications I'm on. You cannot tell me the vaccines are 100% in my body without testing. I don't have a choice but to mask and stay away from covid deniers, like yourself. It sucks, but our community is not a real community and most individuals only care about themselves, which is why we continue to have spread. Thanks for making my life suck.

The irony of this is that if we really acted in a utilitarian way we would have ended most COVID measures far sooner than we actually did. Schools wouldn't have stayed closed for more than a few weeks, and the same for businesses. A small minority has been making things suck for everyone else throughout the pandemic.

There is no evidence that this is the case.