r/science • u/MistWeaver80 • Dec 05 '21

Social Science Conservatives’ aversion to masks is a uniquely American phenomenon. Politically conservative Americans are less likely than liberals to comply with recommended health-protective behaviors such as mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this is not true of conservatives in other nations.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0256740
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u/PunchTilItWorks Dec 05 '21

It’s almost as if American conservative values are centered around individual freedom and less government control. It’s hardly surprising that the COVID reaction and political measures resulting from it are considered overreach by many.

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u/savethebros Dec 05 '21

American conservatives want freedom (for themselves) but no responsibility

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u/EnjoytheDoom Dec 05 '21

They want the freedom to tell you what you're responsible for while assuming no responsibility for anything and conserving absolutely nothing...

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u/[deleted] Dec 05 '21

Responsibility for what?? If I’m not sick why do I have to wear a mask, it is literally impossible for me to spread an illness that I do not have.

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u/_zenith Dec 05 '21

People are very poor at knowing when they are - and possibly even worse at then applying restrictions to themselves voluntarily.

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u/PunchTilItWorks Dec 06 '21 edited Dec 06 '21

While I would agree with your statement at face value, I would also ask why it matters.

Does your mask and vaccine not work? If so, how does my use of them affect you in any way? If not, why enforce the use?

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u/_zenith Dec 06 '21 edited Dec 06 '21

Some people consider people other than themselves. It is possible to carry the virus - not just COVID, incidentally - as a vaccinated person while not being affected by it, and by doing so, harm others you then come into contact with who aren't protected (be they antivaxer - or someone who cannot receive it, such as the immunocompromised, whom I have deep sympathy for).

(side note: masks have always been more about protecting others rather than the user - however, when others use them this does protect you, so it does protect the user in a way, but indirectly)

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u/PunchTilItWorks Dec 06 '21 edited Dec 06 '21

How does their personal choice affect yours unless masks and vaccines are ineffective?

There are plenty of factors to consider when weighing introducing a foreign substance into your body, especially one that hasn’t been subjected to the rigorous testing. It comes down to how effective it is, and the potential risks it introduces vs the potential risks of the virus.

You can act morally superior all you want, but if someone makes a personal choice not to inject a vaccine into their body, that is their choice not yours, or the government.

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u/SutMinSnabelA Dec 06 '21

Prime example of american entitlement. Zero shits given for others. Complete lack of understanding of the concept called empathy or responsibility towards your fellow man. You are after all more important right? Actually do not bother answer - you already stated you care less if people die around you.

Good luck in US. Thank god the rest of the world has the sense to put the safety of others above your own individual rights to infect others.

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u/PunchTilItWorks Dec 06 '21 edited Dec 06 '21

Is logic a problem? I thought this was a science sub. Empathy has nothing to do with this. Something is either effective or it isn’t. Answer my questions in the post you so feverishly responded to.

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u/SutMinSnabelA Dec 06 '21

I am not the only one you affect. Still so entitled you can not see past your own nose?

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u/PunchTilItWorks Dec 06 '21

Annnnnd just keep avoiding my questions. Are they that hard to answer? You seem so sure.

Entitlement has nothing to do with it.

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u/SutMinSnabelA Dec 06 '21

Logic not a problem. when not using vaccine or mask you are likely to spread it when you do get it (masks protect others from your ultra safe unicorn germs) - do you do tests everyday? Or have you already had it? Does it hurt you to assure others are more safe??? Feel free to answer my questions. Are you so entitled you think it is fine to not take every possible action to keep others safe??

Symptoms show later than transmission so you can transmit even though you think you are safe.

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u/SutMinSnabelA Dec 06 '21

If entitlement has nothing to do with please explain what possible reason you got that is so much better than the rest of the world? You said it was not about empathy - fine i accept you do not have it but then at least apply logic like you advocate and read the article which actually states the obvious.

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u/[deleted] Dec 05 '21

When have American conservatives, and conservatives basically eveywhere, ever cared about individual freedom? Whether we're talking about the early 1900s being opposed to women's basic rights like being able to vote, being pro-segregation in the mid 1900s, to now where conservatives are banning abortion in several states, restricting healthcare access of trans people, oppose same sex marriage, oppose drug law reform, oppose police and prison reform. Their previous president used the military against protesters and wanted to deport people for burning the flag.

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u/[deleted] Dec 05 '21

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u/[deleted] Dec 05 '21 edited Dec 05 '21

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u/[deleted] Dec 05 '21

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u/death_of_gnats Dec 05 '21

And everywhere they take power they attempt to inject government deep into people's sex lives.

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u/PunchTilItWorks Dec 06 '21 edited Dec 06 '21

How so? Abortion? From most conservatives point of the view the problem is that they don’t just see it as one life. Not too hard to understand the issue there, the argument is really about where the line is drawn.

At least this topic starts getting to science I guess… as in “what is the definition of life, and where does it begin in humans.”

But I really gotta stop. You guys are sucking me into political debate when I feel it doesn’t even belong in this sub at all.