[triceratops]

Other people's masks protect us, our masks protect other people.

Someone on Reddit gave the analogy of people peeing themselves with or without clothes on. If you're clothed and someone else pees in your direction, you're gonna get at least a little wet. If they're clothed, you don't get wet at all.

If someone developed a comfortable mask that gave the wearer near-100% protection and was widely available, I wouldn't worry about what others do.

[clairity]

the atmosphere is incomprehensably vast compared to viruses, making the chances of getting covid outside essentially zero. worry more sensibly about prolonged face-to-face conversation if you need to worry, but not maskless strangers outside.

[triceratops]

Even if these strangers blithely brush past you, making no attempt to maintain social distancing? Sometimes they'll even come up from behind you, giving you no chance to avoid them.

[clairity]

yes, even then. the likelihood of transmission is still negligibly miniscule. from the virus's perspective, it has to pass a number of gauntlets and a bunch of labyrinths to even reach a position of possible infection. just don't stop and have a conversation without a little distance.