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Comment by ccn0p | Hacker News Reader

100% agree with others in this thread that my immediate thought was this headline and subheadline are misleading. It doesn't take a bunch of studies (although there are many and thanks for posting some of them) to know that lockdowns, social isolation, closing of public gathering spots, "death count tickers" on TV, reduced family visits, and when one does get out in the public, constant covering of everyone's facial expressions (no smiles) to know that there's going to be a public health impact. I don't think we'll know the extent of the impact for years.

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That is conventional wisdom, yes. That's why it's interesting to see data that suggests the contrary.

As others have mentioned, this pandemic isn't actually over yet and even when it is there could be lagging effects.

Similar to celebrating how the economy is doing better than ever during covid, but the actual bill for unprecedented government spending hasn't come due.

edit: typo

> constant covering of everyone's facial expressions (no smiles)

I have noticed little sympathy for this here on HN, as well as in interviews with scientific advisors to my own government (who tell the journalist things like "masks are just a thin little layer of fabric, they have no drawbacks whatsoever!"). Often people point to Asia as a reason people should not feel any unease in a mask, but the smile famously plays a rather different role in Asian body language than in the West.

What's that joke about the extroverted and introverted engineer again?

I actually think that covering faces reduces stress. People ate able to have their boundaries and not feek pressured to smile for strangers when they don't want to.

In 2021, a person having a bad mental health day can wrap their face up and not have to deal with anyone. Possibly taking a lot of pressure out of a critical tipping point of mental distress.

At least in normal people, the act of smiling releases some chemicals to make you feel better. Smiling at strangers therefore only feels oppressive to those who already have an underlying issue such as depression. I would therefore not say this is the general case: that it reduces stress.

Also, most people look more attractive wearing a mask. Leaves more room for fantasy. I kinda enjoy seeing masked people. But that’s just me.

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