To mask or not to mask..that is the question. The answer seems to be a little more complicated as whether you wear a face covering or not has come to signify much more than just protecting yourself and others from the virus. It’s actually quite extraordinary how emotional and polarised people have become over what is simply a health protection guideline to help combat a runaway insanely contagious pandemic virus.
There was a dizzying amount of conflicting information about whether to wear masks over here in the U.K as the government just couldn’t seem to make up its mind whether to tell people they should or shouldn’t wear ’em whilst we watch as other countries just simply made it mandatory. In the U.S it has become politically and even racially polarised. Others see it as an infringement of civil liberties whilst the religious brigade are declaring it an afront to “God’s breathing system”. And all this from a bit of fabric tied together with a bit of elastic.
The fact that it’s created such division shows how much conflict there is over Covid-19. It also shows that because we are all getting our information from our highly varied and utterly oppose information sources there is no longer any consensus on opinion, which is obviously a problem as to effectively combat the virus we need unified action.
The simple truth is that if you wear one you will most definitely reduce the chances of infection to others and to yourself. And in that order. It is more to protect those you come into contact with as you might have it and not know it. It is not an impenetrable force field so its not a guarantee but it will help. And ascatching it airborn is highly unlikely you don’t really need whilst you walking around outdoors but in shops and enclosed spaces where you can’t keep your distance it’s a extra layer of protection, literally & metaphorically.
And aside from all that I personally think they are worth wearing for two simple reasons alone..if you’re wearing one the chances of you being able to touch your face are greatly reduced and that is one of easiest ways to contract it. Also, when you are wearing them it reminds you and everyone else that it is still out there and that is essential because we are all getting way too complacent and acting like it is no longer exists.
I’ve already had Corona so feel chances of getting it again are incredibly slim but I still mask up when I have to…not only do I not have a problem with it, I actually kinda like it. It makes me feel like a masked avenger which was a childhood dream.
I do think its amazing how diverse the selection of masks is and love how everyone has gone for an angle that suited them. From the surgical to the fashiony to the the full on dystopian chemical warfare gas mask. I personally went for a comedy one with a grinning smile on it as everyone had stopped smiling and thought it would lighten the mood and make it a little less scary. As you can see below that didn’t really work out. I only actually wore the mask once as a shop keeper told me it was terrifying, which you will no doubt agree with…
So ultimately the choice is yours, don’t worry about what anyone else is doing, but whatever you do, just don’t wear it under your nose or around your chin: a) cos it makes it utterly useless and b) it looks beyond ridic.
