[Factorium]

Public transport doesn't work if you have to wear a mask to ride it. People on the margins between wanting to drive or get transport will switch to driving because of the inherent discomfort and dehumanization of being forced to wear a mask.

Remove all COVID-era restrictions from schools, workplaces, and transport, and systems will go back to functioning normally.

[kaishiro]

Sometimes I swear I'm the only person on the planet who doesn't mind wearing a mask. When you say dehumanizing though - what exactly do you mean by that? Genuinely curious.

[lightrail123]

I'm with you. Wearing a mask seems like not a huge deal (though I should note that folks on the spectrum may find the experience really unpleasant, and we should do what we can to support folks who aren't neurotypical.)

Try different masks, different styles. There's several different patterns for masks and finding the right one for your face helps a lot.

[Avicebron]

I think Japan's public transit is a good example of this not being the case, trains work, run on time, and people are fine with mask restrictions.

[eloisius]

Public transit is working great in Taipei and masks have been mandatory for almost two years.

[burntwater]

I own a car and use public transportation. Having to wear a mask has never come even close to factoring into which I take. Having to deal with all the traffic and terrible drivers though? That factors in heavily.

[Dylan16807]

Being on the other side of a bus or train from someone, both wearing masks, allows way more of a humanizing connection than being in a completely separate car bubble.

[cowsandmilk]

When someone is talking about a decade long trend, they probably aren’t talking about something driven by masks and Covid.

[throwaway984393]

People wear masks to save other human beings' lives. How is that dehumanizing?

[blindmute]

People wear masks because otherwise they can't do basic things they used to do.

[throwaway984393]

Alright, I grant you, at least half of humanity wouldn't voluntarily wear a mask even to save the lives of their own family, as we've seen time and again. But the purpose of the masks is to save lives, like wearing a seat belt, or not drinking and driving. Sure, most people would rather drink alcohol while driving without a seat belt. But we don't allow it anyway.

That's not dehumanizing. It's the epitome of humanization. It's about civility, compassion, kindness, and overcoming cruel dispositions and rude habits to become or be made more humane.