Matt BlazeMay 28, 2025

With new COVID-19 variants looming and renewed attacks on vaccines, masks, and other basic preventative measures, I just want to mention that:

- I still routinely mask up in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces. I mask on planes and trains. I teach with my mask on.

- I test any time I'm feeling under the weather.

- I plan to get the updated vaccine.

I'd *prefer* not to do any of this, but at worst, it's in the "mild inconvenience" category, and far preferable to long-term disability.

Show threadMatt BlazeMay 28, 2025
The COVID virus doesn't care who you voted for. I'm not masking up and getting vaccinated to make a political statement. I'm doing it to protect my health.
Show threadMatt BlazeMay 28, 2025

There are all sorts of inconveniences I put up with. I wait in lines. I take out the trash. I pay my taxes and bills. I wait at red lights. All that stuff “wastes” valuable time, money, and energy, yet most of us still do them.

Putting on a mask is a drop in the bucket by comparison.

Show threadChristian HuitemaMay 28, 2025
@mattblaze Putting on a mask is not that hard, but it really is a tradeoff. A large part of human communication is non-verbal, and looking at faces is part of that because faces convey emotions. Masking goes in the way of that. So we have a tradeoff between safety and human connections. I would expect different people resolving that tradeoff differently based on circumstances.
Show threadRichard Johnson

@huitema @mattblaze

Clear-faced N95 filter masks are a win both ways. Most of the nonverbal comes through fine

May 28, 2025 at 8:59pmFedilab