Of course, once you pose the question: Why is wearing a mask during a pandemic even a question?
The answer easily emerges: Because it is a highly charged issue, that illuminates all the differences alive in the Human Herd.
Yes, "Elementary, my Dear Mr. Watson."
Hamlet asked: "To be or not to be?"
We ask: "To mask or not to mask?"
It's an existential question. Highlights all the fundamentals of believing and disbelieving that Humans embody.
What is Life?
What is Death?
Is there an Afterlife?
Are we guided by...
The Fickle Finger of Fate?
The Various modes of Luck: Good, Bad, Random, Blind?
Is the Universe Guided and Watched Over by an All-Powerful, All-Knowing God?
Or is it a place where Life has emerged, and Humans must take responsibility for their own actions?
Do you believe in Climate Change? Do you believe Human Beings have wrecked the interconnected web of our ecosystem? Do you believe Humans can remedy the situation?
Or is it all in God's hands? God's Will?
What of Human relations? Are we all in this together, or are we all alone? Is it a brother and sister hood of Humans and connected souls, or is just a grand contest of one against one? Are we all on a journey of discovery together, or is it just a grand competition?
What of Politics? Is just a game of Power? The mighty vs. the weak? The wealthy vs. the poor? The haves vs the have nots?
Democracy - We all collectively decide.
Autocracy - Strong-Man Decides.
Communism - Each according to their needs.
Socialism - We need to take care of each other.
Or something else?
Do we need to care about other people? Do we need to take care of each other? Or is it just about "Freedom?" Don't tread on me...
You see, a little conundrum like wearing a Mask in the middle of a raging pandemic brings up all the issues that confound us. We wrestle with this shit everyday. Welcome to the wonderful world of Being Human.