Sadly shaming people and claiming it's to get them to do the right thing seems to be the default state of discourse these days. It was most pronounced and obvious to me back in 2016 when half of America lost its mind and elected Trump, while the other half virtue signaled and bragged about how much smarter they are than the Trump voters by making fun of them or shaming friends and family for voting for him.
I'll wear a mask because I have to, but make no mistake I will complain about it every time because it's the last bit of freedom around it I feel like I have. There are legitimate reasons for not wanting to wear one, and the people who sit on their high-horse and even suggest that it should be the new norm from now on scare the crap out of me. Seeing people in public places wearing masks makes me legitimately uncomfortable since I can't see half their face, I feel like they're hiding something. On top of that I have trouble focusing my hearing, especially in crowded places, and I need to see the other person's mouth moving to be able to hear a lot of the time. Also, while it doesn't afflict me, there are people who legitimately feel short of breath or get panicked when something is covering their mouth and/or nose, whether their oxygen levels actually drop or not. And maybe this is the whole point - but I've definitely stopped going to public spaces as often just to avoid having to wear the face covering.
I get it. Wear your fucking mask. But just have patience with those who are having trouble adapting. It's too bad this type of nuanced conversation isn't allowed on Twitter.
Sadly shaming people and claiming it's to get them to do the right thing seems to be the default state of discourse these days. It was most pronounced and obvious to me back in 2016 when half of America lost its mind and elected Trump, while the other half virtue signaled and bragged about how much smarter they are than the Trump voters by making fun of them or shaming friends and family for voting for him.
I'll wear a mask because I have to, but make no mistake I will complain about it every time because it's the last bit of freedom around it I feel like I have. There are legitimate reasons for not wanting to wear one, and the people who sit on their high-horse and even suggest that it should be the new norm from now on scare the crap out of me. Seeing people in public places wearing masks makes me legitimately uncomfortable since I can't see half their face, I feel like they're hiding something. On top of that I have trouble focusing my hearing, especially in crowded places, and I need to see the other person's mouth moving to be able to hear a lot of the time. Also, while it doesn't afflict me, there are people who legitimately feel short of breath or get panicked when something is covering their mouth and/or nose, whether their oxygen levels actually drop or not. And maybe this is the whole point - but I've definitely stopped going to public spaces as often just to avoid having to wear the face covering.
I get it. Wear your fucking mask. But just have patience with those who are having trouble adapting. It's too bad this type of nuanced conversation isn't allowed on Twitter.