Masks included a very narrow reasoning that sometimes masks have been available for sick people to use if they'd like in a doctors office during times of a flu outbreak.
I plead ignorance on knowing if people wearing masks in general was a common thing in years past. Maybe I just didn't notice them when I went to the doctor. I concede that to you.
I was simply offering up other times that people wear masks that, I would think we could somewhat agree, just doesn't make sense. Times like walking alone on a nature trail, riding your bike in the neighborhood, driving alone in your car. I also give you that I may be a horrible person for seeing those things and shake my head at the silliness of it while others may see those things and think it's totally reasonable and logical.
I'm not arguing against masks. Never did I say we should ban masks. Like I said, go ahead and wear one... 24/7 if you want. You are correct... Masks do prevent infectious disease. And I have no doubt that somewhere in the world right now someone was saved because someone wore a mask. Even more people would be saved if they wore a double mask. Even more if they wore double n95 masks. "it's the least we can do"
But I'm glad we can at least agree that this poor child has been conditioned.
We can both shake our heads when a kid feels they need to wear a paper mask on their chin when they play basketball.... AND when people intentionally try to get Covid or shove bleach up their butt.
I also think you missed part of my post that gave the other reasons I think people wear masks. And I will stick by one of those reasons being fear. I've seen it from some of the kids I teach. One kid was excited when they announced that within a week students didn't have to wear masks. He said he wasn't going to wear one anymore.... To which two other students said "I'm going to keep wearing mine because I don't want to get Covid and die". This first kid still wears his mask every day to school. (the funny/sad part is that the other two kids don't wear theirs anymore)
Now, sure maybe this is one singular "anecdote", but I tend to believe that there is a decent percentage of people that fall into the fear category. And I will be ok with myself for thinking that's sad.