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by stopping 1868 days ago
> This isn't a calculus I've thought through in depth, but the answer is almost certainly not "nobody."

That's fair; I don't doubt that there are isolated, contemporary examples where un-masking would have led to a better situational outcomes.

As far as if "public reaction" should factor into individual choice, my stance is more based in principle than practicality; bending to the will of popular opinion is a strategy that is highly stifling, due to the fickle and stochastic nature of group opinions. I think it's dangerous to suggest that there are any societal circumstances where everyone should just "side with the crowd." Superseding reason with groupthink rarely yields anything but disastrous outcomes, so I believe that if one can tolerate the ridicule and aggression, then they should stand by their principles.