>a) there is a weird social effect in much of the West where people get panicky, and somehow view someone else wearing a mask as increasing the odds, or at least the reality, that they instead will get sick
Definitely experienced the stigma of wearing one in public. Have had reactions ranging from stares to hurriedly moving away from me.
> We need to discard with that bullshit. We know with overwhelming evidence that masks work
To add, why else would NY ask older folks to wear masks when going outside?
Also, this NIH study adds to support that masks are effective.