So, mask-wearing. We are being asked to conform our behavior to guidelines in order to maximize public safety. Some people are acting like this is some horrible imposition on their carefree lifestyle.
The thing is - we do that already. All the time. Constantly.
Every time you stop at a red light. Show your ID to buy alcohol. Refrain from smoking in a non-smoking place. Take off your shoes at TSA. Use a designated driver. Regulate your speed on a highway.
Even fundamental behaviors like respecting the social contract inherent in the exchange of money for goods or services are part of a collective agreement to conduct ourselves in a way that enables society to function.
Mask wearing is no different than agreeing to drive on your designated side of the road. It’s just newer.
this is all true... probably a large majority of people already uphold the social contracts as OP mentions.
but this possibly underestimates the numbers of people who run red lights, buy alcohol underage, smoke in non-smoking areas, drive drunk, and speed on the highway. oh yeah and generally (mis?)use society to get their own while cheating others out of theirs.
in my experience, there's always a large-enough-to-be-a-problem number of people who will break those social contract rules if they think they can get away with it. and it seems like the more entitlement ppl come from, the more likely they are to get away with it, and they know it.
so yes, the mask-refusers are being completely unreasonable towards the rest. but we shouldn’t actually be surprised about them. (and i was. i was totally surprised that the pandemic even took off... because i forgot what ppl are like and expected everyone would do the handwashing and the distancing. by the time the WHO/CDC advised mask-wearing, i wasn’t surprised anymore by the asshat behavior, just disturbed.)