Fear, Safety and Dinosaurs

The CDC recommended this week that we should wear cloth “face masks” any time when out in public. Its change in guidance is the last stage in the groundswell of a new social norm. A government agency changing its recommendation after society has quickly gone from a common understanding that wearing a mask does little to nothing to protect you from infection to the population largely wearing face masks in a multitude of ways. We are a culture that is simultaneously individualistic and one where we compare ourselves to others. While the WHO has attempted to maintain some sense of science in their guidance, the CDC has jumped into line to support the practice marketed to the public. While this might conveniently support a drive to close out sheltering at home in few weeks, it’s more indicative of how modern culture succumbs to irrationality, the deep nature of fear and the desire for a sense of safety. It’s beginning to feel like a twist on Paleo.

I had a short conversation with a dinosaur at the grocery store who was hoarding chicken eggs that made me realize there is still a chance that science might win out. His get up while not technically a face mask, served as PPE protection for his hands, and also as a plastic shield to protect his eyes and ears. It provided absolute protection from touching his face. At home when he morphs into a human again, he leaves his dino-skin in the garage until he needs to foray into the human public again. The CDC may recommend this solution soon and begin to study potential secondary benefits from the indirect effect of dinosaur immune system strength. I’ll monitor NCBI to provide PubMed updates as they become available.