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 threadMatt Blaze

@huitema There are some things wearing a mask can impede. But so what? People deal with risks and benefits all the time. And we can weigh things differently. It’s fine.

But this underlying premise that any inconvenience is inherently unacceptable is complete bullshit. The only answer to that is “grow up already”.

May 28, 2025 at 9:41pmWeb
Show threadBob CollinsMay 28, 2025

@mattblaze @huitema

My guess is that the prime offenders are the conservatives who decry that any change is an offense.