The other day I had to drop off some orphaned opossums at a wildlife center, and my young daughter wanted to come so I brought her along.

Most of the other folks in line had masks on, so as we were driving home she asked: "how do people breathe with the masks on?" I explained how the air molecules are so small that they can pass through the mask fabric, allowing people to breathe, and she responded with "I think if air can pass through the masks, then the virus can too." I told her it's only helpful if you're already sick so you're not blowing saliva all over the place while you cough, and not to say anything to people wearing masks because they're probably scared and it makes them feel better.

She's five. It kind of shows how critical thinking is beaten out of people as they go through public school.