You're Guilty until proven innocent...then you're still guilty

 Last night I had a realization.

I wear a mask mostly because it makes others feel comfortable. I also wear a mask if I'm around someone who is in the more vulnerable population and if their health is compromised.

But I don't like to wear a mask. And I don't like to be told that I have to wear a mask, especially when I'm not ill.

Here's my realization. Being told to wear a mask is akin to being guilty without having the chance to be proven innocent.

But even if you take a COVID-19 test and it comes back negative, you are still guilty. You still have to wear the mask. And even if you keep your distance from others, and are around them (within 6 feet) for less than 15 cumulative minutes (such as in a store), you still have to wear a mask because you are guilty. 

Mask mandates are telling the people they are guilty. If they don't wear a mask they are guilty of spreading disease, even if they don't have an illness, they don't have any symptoms, and even if they have a negative test result. And even if you are healthy, you are guilty of not doing "your part" to keep others safe.

Forget that some people have actual physical difficulty or health challenges with wearing a mask.

Masks do not promote good hygiene. 

Unless you wear a clean mask everyday, and don't touch it at all during the day, you're mask isn't hygienic, which means it could have pathogens on it. Or, in the very least it isn't clean and you're putting it right up at your mouth and nose. Don't believe me? 

How often do you touch your mask to adjust it? Do you happen to get your hands close to your nose and/or eyes during mask adjustment?

How often do you actually wash your hands thoroughly and vigorously BEFORE you touch your mask?

Masks do nothing to encourage thorough and vigorous hand washing.

Masks do not encourage us to NOT touch our faces, especially putting are hands near our nose or eyes.

Masks don't encourage social distancing. In many cases mask encourage the opposite, where people feel more comfortable getting closer to others, to act more "normal", even if they aren't wearing adequate face coverings and/or have a nose fully exposed.

But the mask nazis--those who push for mask wearing and especially mask mandates--use shame, intimidation, and guilt to force and coerce others to comply with the order. The mask proponents say it's a small sacrifice to make. They say it's for the good of society, for the good of others.

Maybe. But good hygiene is better for society and much better for yourself and for others. 

Don't be fooled into thinking and believing a mask is somehow better than washing your hands, not touching your face, and keeping your distance.

And don't be surprised if a vaccine comes around and you're still told to wear a mask. You will still be guilty if you don't wear a mask because it's your civic duty to do your part, to make the small sacrifice, for the good of society and the health of those you are around.