I see intelligent life too. Also my dad told me a joke about how when a person wearing a mask and a person who doesn't wear a mask walk by each other they both think what an idiot
when i'm out and about and i see a group of people wearing face masks, i don't see oppression or feel despair. i see badass human beings teaming up to beat a relentless alien invader: putting our unique skills of language, socialization, and accumulated scientific knowledge to full use.