[tertius]

Before we get to the answer we need to realize that a slippery slope is often presented to make the opposition realize that they're being irrational or missing something. Once this realization has been made it is often also unnecessary to actually answer the question.

Engaging in this type of discussion leaves the choice of where to stop at the individual level to justify and not swallowing what an expert says today or tomorrow and ignoring all information left out of the communication.

Forcing mask wearing probably won't go anywhere federally. The states is where it becomes a problem.

[davvolun]

> Who decides when a mask is needed/not needed?

The elected authorities, whether local, regional, state, or federal, preferably as advised by trained and trusted experts.

> Should we always be forced to wear masks going forward given that we've been made aware of the efficacy?

If that makes sense, as determined by the above answer.

> Why stop at Corona? Flu is next.

If that makes sense. In fact, there would almost certainly be a net benefit to society for the majority of the population to wear masks during flu season, and literally no reasonable downside. But it won't happen, despite making rational, logical sense, because our society can't even get people to wear masks, maintain social distance, wash your hands, etc. during an actual, honest-to-God pandemic.

> Who decides when we are required to wear masks?

See the first answer.

The value of your "slippery slope" argument doesn't seem to be there to me; you seem to have already decided that the buck of mask wearing or public health in general stops at the individual level, ignoring the fact that that's simply not true. Cue rehashed arguments discussing seat belts, nudity, etc. etc.

> Forcing mask wearing probably won't go anywhere federally.

Here's hoping Biden can be persuasive https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/11/11/joe-bi...

[tertius]

Cue: I'm not comfortable giving that type of power to the elected officials. Their power should be limited.

Cloth masks aren't effective yet we're all pretendying, even the experts (who were all laughing at the plebs who were scared before mask mandates, wanting to wear masks and not knowing how to use them) [I'm in a very large medical community and this was the general sentiment before the WHO and Fauci changed their tune]

Experts disagree. Politicians fear blowback so they see who the media are agreeing with and then do that. They aren't rational actors.

And no, mask wearing has many negative effects.

E.g. of Experts and Politicians making mistakes: lockdowns, they have much worse negative effects than positive but they look politically good. Experts don't present any reason for them that is backed scientifically as a whole.

Who should we give the right to take away our freedom?

Experts lie, politicians lie and they do don't care. I don't trust them with that much power.