If anti-maskers existed during WWII

It’s also notable that the coasts of the United States- both under credible threat and within theoretical range of enemy’s attacks from sea or by air (west coast mainly for the latter) analyzed the risks and decided NOT to observe coastal blackout by and large- and neither coasts residents were endangered by the choice*

Now- the “*” is because on the east coast of the US- sources report that the lighting from the coast made it easier for German U-boats to sight ships silhouettes and thusly cost sailors their lives where they otherwise may not have been seen. Now- we can’t really compare the number of ships sunk in history against the number that MIGHT have been sunk if history had been different- but anecdotally it would seem that at least some of not most of those ships could have been saved if a blackout was observed.

That said.... it’s still not conclusive that in our alternate history that blackouts would have been “better” or “safer.” This is because it is a fact of record that black outs had certain negative effects beyond morale and economy in areas observing them. Crimes tended to increase including violent crime (dark is good for crime in general..) and vehicle accidents increased and stayed higher than norm even after speed limits were lowered in blackout areas. Deaths of workers and random citizens from avoidable accidents caused by lack of visibility increased- such as long shoremen seeing in increase in drownings and deaths relating to exposure etc. from falling into the nighttime waters.

Even in areas where “blackouts” were still observed- they were later changed to “dim outs” where light was allowed but not to exceed the brightness of “moonlight.” And as for losses to war efforts from sunk shipping and the like from not observing blackouts- these losses are somewhat intangible but obviously would have some impact- however so to are the losses in productivity from factories and industrial structures which used large glass roofs to allow light in for day time working- butler light due to painting glass for blackouts.

You can look through the historical archives and find incidents of individuals violating blackouts- for example a man in Gloversville NY USA defied an air raid drill and police/wardens admonishing him for driving his car through the town. There is also of course the fact- in hindsight- that many places- especially in some countries (the US for example) didn’t need to observe blackouts at all- were never in any credible risk if they did not. Gloversville NY was very likely safe from Axis aggression for example. So at the time- those not observing blackout may have been seen as reckless- even had they said to their peers: “it’s fine. There is no danger here...” and while perhaps at the time they’d be vilified- history would show they were actually right for the most part.

So now- of course this doesn’t apply to masks. That was just a fun history lesson and a reason why this comic perhaps doesn’t pass the history test. The intentions are good though. A blackout is a far more involved and impactful thing than wearing a mask in public. The social and economic impacts and effort involved are so tiny to just wear a mask- that against even the possible risk of spreading or catching a deadly virus- it’s just smart to wear the mask. History may one day say most or even all people didn’t need to wear masks- but it might also say that masks helped save millions or billions. The gamble of you are “right” about not wearing a mask just doesn’t stack up to if you’re wrong. Wear the damn mask. Not because an inaccurate cartoon said to- hopefully because you’re smart- or at least a decent person.