1/ Mask mandates are commonly justified in two ways. The first concerns population-level transmission dynamics. If a mandate is expected to have little or no impact on such dynamics, many will be quick to dismiss a mandate. But this ignores the second justification: inclusion. 🧵
2/ Equity demands inclusion. Making masks optional risks excluding people who rely on those around them to mask to protect their health/loved ones' health.
(Retorts that mask mandates risk excluding those who prefer not to mask ignore that these risks are clearly asymmetrical.)
(Retorts that mask mandates risk excluding those who prefer not to mask ignore that these risks are clearly asymmetrical.)
3/ In other words, a mask mandate might find its justification in the fact that it helps to protect those 'in the room'/'on the plane'/etc., and specifically those who are at greatest risk, irrespective of whether this impacts broader population-level transmission dynamics.
4/ That's why there's an especially compelling reason to be inclusive in non-discretionary settings (e.g., classrooms, health care, work, public transport, etc.). Where people have no choice but to be in such settings, we should make those settings as safe as possible for *all*.
5/ This is the reason it remains coherent to require masks in university classrooms, for instance, even though students can and will do many other things that don't require masks (e.g., go the bar). It ensures the places *all* students *must* go are as safe as can be.
6/ In fact, because some students will do many other things that don't require masks, mask mandates become even more important in the few settings that require those students and others (especially students at high risk of severe outcomes) to study or work closely together.
7/ This isn't unusual. We ban nuts and peanuts in schools even though there are many other places kids can and will be exposed to nuts and peanuts. The ban has no effect outside the school walls, but it makes *schools* safer, and, hence, more inclusive, and that's the point.
8/ N.B.: One-way masking is capable of reducing risk for the wearer (tinyurl.com/ajx98skh). But we know masks work best to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 when everyone wears one (tinyurl.com/56w9wrnh ). Hence, universal masking will tend to be more inclusive.
9/ N.B.: To be clear, justifications of mask mandates should *begin* with an analysis of their impact on population-level transmission dynamics and/or inclusion. A full justification will of course require a more comprehensive analysis involving other considerations. /thread
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