this post was submitted on 17 Aug 2023
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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Do you think the severity of infection is important? Meaning, if previous variants were wiped out and the only variants still spreading were less severe than a common cold, would you keep wearing masks?

[–] Zaktor 5 points 1 year ago (3 children)

What's the point of this hypothetical? It's both not remotely close to where we are currently and has redefined the consequences to absurdity.

"Would you still wear a mask if the consequence of infection was a single light sneeze?"

"Would you wear a seat belt if the only consequence of car crashes was a small bruise?"

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

The point of my hypothetical is that communicable diseases have a tendency to evolve to be less pathogenic over time. So it's likely that each new covid strain is less harmful than the last. I'm wondering where you draw the line?

Personally, preventing a light sneeze isn't a big enough reason to wear a mask.

[–] Zaktor 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The point of my hypothetical is that communicable diseases have a tendency to evolve to be less pathogenic over time.

That's not actually a real thing. It was a theory by a guy in the 1800s that's been soundly debunked but spread because people want to believe it's true.

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/dec/08/facebook-posts/viruses-and-other-pathogens-can-evolve-become-more/

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