- Mar 27, 2004
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yes and no. sure, we may be reducing our exposure to different respiratory viruses and pollutants. but, if the argument is that this is unnatural, I would disagree. up until recent history (past 200 years or so), we had much fewer in-person contacts (so less exposure to different viruses) and also fewer pollutants, although perhaps as many allergens or more.that makes me wonder what the unintended effects of mask wearing, hand hygiene, and social distancing will be as it relates to other common illnesses. I’d imagine in the short term there should be far fewer viral diseases being passed around, but will our immune systems be wrecked from not being “challenged” as much as they normally would? I even notice my seasonal allergies are not as severe, likely as a result of the filtration my mask provides.
a virus like this would've taken a lifetime to make its way from Wuhan to the corners of the globe, but now it takes just a couple months.