@rmader @smach @Uilebheist
both dogs and human infants are able to correctly interpret the facial expressions of masked humans. There is no way that seeing facial expressions is worth death or permanent disability. It *is* unfortunately true that masks prevent lip-reading, so I hope more places will offer ASL classes and interpreters as this goes on.
COVID is not a disease that only impacts a minority (and holy hell is *that* sentiment ever problematic, btw). We are not able to predict who will develop Long Covid and people who are supposedly at low risk (athletes in their late 20's, for example) continue to die from COVID complications.
Even if COVID were only of concern for "a minority," I like to think that choosing to adjust my behavior to make it possible for someone else to safely navigate public spaces is the right choice. 🙂
Also, before even considering the issue of cumulative infections, the conditions that predispose people to complications from COVID include a *large* swath of the population. Old age, depression, obesity, diabetes, as well as things like cancer, being on immunosuppressants, COPD and heart conditions.