Could wearing masks do more harm than good? Is it possible they could negatively impact physical health, mental wellbeing, or even our society's civility?

I realize that opening this blog post with those questions will cause some people to question me. Who am I to question public health experts and politicians? 

We’re not supposed to question the “experts,” are we? They know what they’re doing, right?

After all, they:

Came up with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which promote a diet known to exacerbate diabetes and obesity

Decided vaccine makers cannot be held liable for damages caused by vaccines

Approved Phen-Fen to combat the obesity epidemic which caused heart valve problems and other major health issues

Approved the use of Olestra in foods which caused micronutrient depletion and anal leakage

Remain silent about the impact food and supplements could have on reducing the risk of the coronavirus

The list goes on, but I think you get the point.

I'm sure by questioning whether we should "mask up" or not, some people will say I'm selfish.

"You're supposed to wear a mask to protect others." "You don't do it for yourself." "To not wear a mask is an act of selfishness." Or to quote Biden recently, "It's not about your rights. It's about your responsibility."

Those are some of the lines we've been conditioned to believe in the past few months. Before virtue signaling the unmasked, consider this: Many people who choose not to wear a face covering are the most selfless, caring, health-promoting people I know.

I'm also among the unmasked. I don't avoid wearing one out of defiance or disregard for others.

I'm not convinced the long-term risks of wearing masks outweigh the minor benefit they might provide.

In my opinion, the following issues need to be discussed and vetted by unbiased healthcare practitioners and psychologists and require close observation in those who choose to mask up. Without confidence about these issues, I choose not to wear a mask, and wouldn't encourage friends or family members to wear one either.

Could mask-wearing increase social disconnection?

For more than six months, "experts" have told us to stay at least six feet apart. No hugs, handshakes, or other physical touch. Physical touch helps us bond with others. It helps us feel good, too.

Now, we're not only supposed to be six feet apart, but we're also supposed to cover our faces. In fact, one of the Wisconsin state agencies expects employees to wear masks even when alone, on Zoom calls.

Facial gestures play an essential role in human communication.

We use 43 muscles to create 21 distinct facial gestures. Those gestures often tell more of the truth in communication than people's words do.

Thanks to our mirror neurons, when we see others' facial gestures, we mirror their gestures to help us feel what they feel. That's the foundation for empathy.

The MNS (Mirror Neuron System) is considered to be related not only with motor imitation and reading intention of other agents, but also with concepts in social interaction, such as emotion, empathy, and ToM (Theory of Mind). Hence, it is speculated that the cause of psychiatric disorders such as ASD may be strongly associated with dysfunctions of the MNS.

Hyeonjin Jeon and Seung-Hwan Lee.

To believe that covering people’s faces won’t affect our interactions with others is ridiculous.

If others can’t see our facial gestures, and we can't see theirs, we miss out on a large part of the emotional aspect of our interaction. On top of that, we shouldn’t hug, shake hands or rub shoulders?

During a time of significant social tension across the country, we need clear and compassionate communication. Covering our faces compromises communication and reduces empathy. Couldn't it lead to even more social stress than we already see today?

Couldn't masks reinforce danger and deceit?

You wear a mask to protect yourself from danger,