Minneapolis, MN 3/5/2021—Texas lifted its mask mandate and people are losing it. In blue states with strict mask mandates, the rules stand firm, even without unequivocal proof that these measures work. Concern over restrictions being lifted have taken center stage and become individual American identities. The outrage from lifting of restrictions appears deeply personal, not because of the perceived health benefits, but because, perhaps the goals they are surrogating are under attack.
On the ground science, there is not a state with a mask mandate that has done better than any other state without. Coupled with the idea of vague success, masks have become more of a religious belief in a sense now. Goal to make you believe, to keep you in line with this belief. For instance, beginning July 25, 2021, Minnesota implemented a mask mandate. What happened after that mask mandate? Case spikes, death spikes, etc. What did the mask mandate do? How did (and have) folks carried on about the mandate ever since? They obey without question. And they want others to obey without question as well. It makes them feel good, and the virtuous image might make them feel good too.
So how did goals come into play here. Were we lacking goals prior to making masking our goals? What are goals? What goals do we have? Do we have any other goals besides making sure people comply with government orders that require you to wear something on your face? Are our new goals to get people to agree with our (mask) beliefs without question? American citizens have invested in many goals, or personal ideology stances. Dislike of a political person. Dislike of policy change. Now they are investing in the idea that they must have others believe government measures in the form of “masks work” without question.
The issue here may be that when folks don’t comply with their new government approved goal, then the idea of fear, danger, and risk go out the window. There is presented a total loss of personal accountability and control because others do not choose to abide to your beliefs and your goals. Having others not comply means you fail at your goals and you need to correct that. Unfortunately many have made it their new goal to make the government’s goal their life’s work, and that is why we are where we are today.
We could have been bettering selves. Focusing on personal finance. Honing our fitness and health. Reading and educating ourselves. But now goals have come from up top. The goal was to make sure you were masked. The goal was, and is, a big government goal.
As more states across America choose to open we will see this scenario play out more and more. People have become lost, ships without rudders, without someone giving them a goal. If there is no mask goal, there is no goal. Perhaps we have generations focused on nothing, being told what their goals are. But are they? Sure, it’s great an expert says something, but can that expert back up their claim with proof, data, and evidence. If they can’t, are they just false prophets peddling control? I have no idea, but they have made an impression on many people, they have made their goals their goals.