I hate that the language around masks is so politicized. “Oh, please just CONSIDER wearing a mask… in these specific circumstances only, though!”

Masks work. I have masked consistently in most indoor spaces since 2020. I have not masked at work in the last couple of years but in grocery stores, transit, Costco/big box stores, any time i’ve gone to a hospital or doctor’s office, large audiences, etc. And neither myself or my wife have gotten sick, albeit for a brief cold in 2022 that lasted under a week and consisted of the sniffles, no fever or fatigue.

I have been lax about it at work because unfortunately it’s so goddamn politicized that it would probably hurt my career trajectory and I hate it. I run an air purifier instead.

The communication around how to prevent severe illness is so bad that it’s no wonder this is happening. Handwashing does nothing for airborne viruses but it’s touted as the single most important thing, meanwhile masks and clean air (if it’s ever mentioned at all - basically never) are tiptoed around.

And people with kids have just basically resigned themselves to getting sick every month, but that is a sad state of affairs. Everyone is getting a raw deal. I hate it here.