Thread by @TheMattBeebe

Real-talk for a minute: this “second wave” of COVID isn’t what we should most concerned with. It’s the “third wave” — that will bring with it an uptick in death rates.
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Clearly this second wave is being driven predominantly by two factors: the protests and a desire for close-socialization in the 20-30yo cohort.
You need to look no farther than the timeline and the impacted age groups to see this.
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Large social gatherings with close contact — even those held outside — are less than wise right now. They should be minimized and avoided by responsible people.
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But the “third wave” that is likely coming in certain areas in a couple weeks, as this wave begins to infect their parents and grandparents and immunocompromised friends isn’t going to be pretty.
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I’m pointing this out not to be a doomsayer, but to highlight the reality & emphasize how important it is to learn the right lessons. And not knee-jerk with more regulation from elected officials “on tilt”.
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The lockdowns slowed the spread, but at too high a cost. As with most things, the “cure” has been worse — diminished trust & increased recalcitrance by some will be the lasting legacy of these policy failures by government officials.
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Masks? I’m still a proponent of wearing them, knowing full well that they are most effective when worn by a sick person (limiting transmission), and very limited in effectiveness when worn by a healthy person (limiting ingestion). Here’s the rub:
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If your safety and that of those that you love is determined by the least responsible person running around at a protest, are you really that comfortable not wearing a mask?
Some may still say yes, but you’re underestimating how irresponsible some of your fellow citizens are.
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PS: nothing above should be constructed to be pro-mandatory mask orders, no matter how well the tyranny is laundered through local governments and businesses. Wear the mask. Set an example. But let’s not forget the basic premise of our liberty.
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