Academics tout ‘psychological benefits’ of return to mask mandates: People don’t have to think for themselves

Three Brown University academics called for the return of mask mandates Sunday, not just to stop the spread of disease, but also for their “helpful psychological benefits.”

Research associate at Brown University’s People, Place and Health Collective Abdullah Shihipar, assistant professor of epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health William Goedel, and postdoctoral research associate in epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health Abigail Cartus wrote a piece for NBC Think about the necessity of masking.

The writers warned that the “tripledemic” of “flu, Covid and RSV is a reminder that even as the pandemic ends, the threat of seasonal respiratory viruses remains.”

The academics went on, “Thankfully, our toolkit for tackling them is similar to what works to suppress Covid alone, starting with the most basic and flexible level of protection: masking. When and where respiratory viruses are surging, mask mandates should be reinstated.”

The opinion piece made the claim that a “psychological benefit” of mask mandates is that citizenry does not have to decide for themselves “what is safe” in public life.

“Mask mandates not only stem the spread of diseases but also have helpful psychological benefits. It’s difficult for people to get adequate, high-quality information about risk and apply it in a society that has returned to pre-pandemic norms,” the opinion said. “Promoting mask-wearing through official messaging (ideally supported by free provision of high-quality masks like N95s) removes the onus on individuals to figure out ‘what is safe.’” – READ MORE