[rootusrootus]

> Masks have really torn everyone apart

No. No, no no. Masks have torn nobody apart. They could have brought us together. One segment of the population embraced politics and decided that masks was the last straw among all of the rules they otherwise accept in their lives, and decided to turn it into a public statement. These people are the ones that have torn everyone apart and ripped up the social contract.

The rest of us are just quietly sucking it up and doing what little we can to improve outcomes for all of society.

[DuskStar]

> One segment of the population embraced politics and decided that masks was the last straw among all of the rules they otherwise accept in their lives, and decided to turn it into a public statement.

Let's not pretend that there isn't a "wear masks because of politics" segment in the US, too. It's been turned into signalling on both sides, to the detriment of us all.

[hehsjsbb]

Why would you wear a mask solely because of politics? It's a good thing to do that has no downsides and it might help other people. It might even help you. Worst case it was a little inconvenience.

[rootusrootus]

Would that side exist if the other side hadn't taken a political position first? Are they only a response?