Maybe they realize many illnesses, including norovirus, influenza, and 49% of COVID infections, can occur without any symptoms, and they know that infectious diseases still spread even without symptoms or before symptoms develop - so they don’t assess whether they are ill or infectious to others based on how they feel, especially at a time when multiple viruses are running rampant.
Maybe they are an ally and advocate for groups who experience health disparities, and they know women, older adults, chronically ill and disabled, those with mental health concerns, LGBTQIA+ and trans people, and racial and ethnic minorities are all at higher risk for more severe health impacts.
Maybe they know that the scientific review claiming masks were ineffective at preventing illness was retracted, but the retraction/correction didn’t get as much press as the initial “gotcha” headline, and in fact there are multiple meta-analyses showing the effectiveness of masks at preventing airborne respiratory viruses, including recommendations that good-fitting respirators are used since vaccinations are inadequate.
Maybe they know norovirus, COVID, influenza, tuberculosis, measles, and other infectious diseases are airborne and spread by aerosols that can linger in the air for hours, and that handwashing or sanitizers are insufficient.
Maybe they are aware that there’s a measles outbreak, and that it still carries many risks, including immune amnesia/the immune system forgetting how to fight off illnesses it had once learned to fight.
Maybe they know that the COVID virus has been found to have multiple impacts to the immune system.
Maybe they realize that the more times someone has COVID, the risk for Long COVID increases, that even mild COVID infections from current variants are still causing Long COVID and other health problems, and that people still get these long-term, often disabling conditions whether or not they have had vaccines.
Maybe they don’t believe it’s ok to leave anyone behind and know everyone deserves and has a right to exist in public spaces, and they see continued masking as a way they can actively embody and advocate for this.
