Why Not Wear a Mask?
Maddie Haas
Street art - graffiti with facial mask on the wall during the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Warsaw, Poland. Photo by Adam Nieścioruk
As the Coronavirus pandemic sweeps the globe, people continue to search for solutions to
minimize transmission and help with treatment. Scientists have searched for innovative drugs to help with symptoms, and others are working to develop a successful vaccine. However, the most effective prevention for transmission of the virus is also the simplest; face masks. When worn properly, masks can be extremely effective at limiting transmission of the virus. Fully sealed masks provide the highest protection since they limit aerosolized transfer of virus particles from an infected to an uninfected individual. Unfortunately, this inexpensive, easy-to-use solution for slowing the spread of the virus has not been fully effective in the United States because many people are resistant to wearing them, and so many states don’t mandate that people wear them. Florida, Indiana, South Dakota, are just a few examples of the states that don’t require mask wearing, and it is understandable, throughout those states, why people will choose not to wear masks if they are not mandated.
Reasons for resisting face masks during Coronavirus have varied. One of the most common reasons for not wearing a mask involves resistance to limits on their personal freedoms. When people are required to wear a face mask, they feel they are not able to live their life the way they want to. A young man interviewed at Huntington beach by Los Angeles Times reporter Jake Sheridan said, masks are “Wack. Never wear it.” then continued to say “It hasn’t affected me at all, besides that I can’t go to the bar and have a drink and really kick it with the boys.” This simply didn’t like wearing a mask in his daily activities, so he didn’t. Many feel the mask represents submission to the government, and feel individual power by rebelling against this societal benefit. To them, exercising their individual liberty is more important than the societal good that comes from wearing a mask.
Misleading information distributed by well-respected individuals and organizations, likethe CDC and state level governments , about the effectiveness of masks in preventing viral transmission is also leading people to refuse masks. Well-respected organizations including churches, governments and public health organizations have changed their perspectives on masks as the pandemic has progressed. In the beginning, many believed that masks were unnecessary.
However with more evidence, perspective shifted to focus on the benefits of masks in preventing viral transmission. As a result, people, often subconsciously, choose to believe the pieces of information that support their current mask resistance. Some people aren’t wearing masks because they simply don’t acknowledge or believe in the threat that the COVID-19 virus poses to our society. Based on information they’ve heard, some people believe that COVID-19 is all a hoax, or that society is being dramatic about it’s effects. As such, they don’t see any reason to wear a mask, since they believe there is no threat. Darr, a 15 year old girl interviewed by JakeSheridan with the Los Angeles Times, said “I’m not afraid of it. I do think it’s overplayed. I think the media made it something it shouldn’t be.” People like Darr are underestimating the threat that this virus poses.
Masks simply being a physical inconvenience has also been cited as a reason for mask non-compliance. People have complained that masks make them hot, disturb their breathing, or fog their glasses. These people state that they would rather risk contracting the virus than have to suffer with these inconveniences. However, they fail to consider that while their mask non-compliance makes them more comfortable, it could place thousands of other people at risk of viral transmission (assuming they could be an asymptomatic carrier). Unfortunately, these people prefer their own cost-benefit analysis, and at the end of the day, they decide that the inconveniences a mask brings them is not worth the protection from the virus.
Many people who are not wearing masks are white, Republican, and Christian. These people claim that they have nothing to be afraid of with this virus as they have a strong sense of self-sufficiency and think they can easily handle this virus. Others believe that God will protect hem from the virus, or if they do get it, that it was a part of God’s plan for them.
For some, the mask makes a political statement, and wearing a mask goes against Trump, especially since Trump does not demonstrate mask wearing. For others, wearing a mask brings judgement that they want to avoid. Prior to the pandemic, in America masks signified that someone was sick or infected. Because of this association many people try to avoid the judgement they may receive if people think they are infected since they have a mask on.
Additionally, Black Americans, more specifically Black men, have been racially profiled and harassed when they are seen wearing masks. There are numerous reports of black men being asked to leave a store simply because they were wearing masks. This was an even bigger issue early on in the pandemic when people were urged to use a makeshift mask (bandanas, scarves, old t-shirts, etc.). The biases people had towards black men wearing things like these bandanas caused the black men to experience even more judgement. Because these men want to escape this profiling and harassment they may choose to just not wear a mask. There are also a lot of Americans who hold stereotypes for Asians that they bring disease into the US. When Asians are seen wearing masks right now they are seen as diseased rather than helping to keep themselves and others safe from the pandemic. Because of this view, many people of Asian decent are receiving judgement for wearing face masks.
Finally, many people use mask non-compliance as a way to control an uncontrollable situation. During this pandemic, many people have felt their lives have become a constant state of uncertainty and they have lost control over most things in their lives. Since people like to be in control, and during this pandemic one of the few things people can control is whether or not they wear a mask. With so many people saying masks are necessary people may choose not to wear one for the sole purpose of being in control of the situation, and not following someone else's orders.
CDC director Robert R. Redfield. M.D., states that masks are currently the most powerful weapon we have to combat COVID-19. Widespread, effective use of masks slows the spread of the virus. Unfortunately, this fact is not widely accepted in the United States and resistance to mask wearing is resulting in uncontrolled spread. Instead of prioritizing viral control, many are choosing to exercise their individual liberties by not wearing a mask. Until the concerns of these people are addressed, it will be difficult to fully control the spread of the pandemic.
Maddie Haas is a high school student taking summer classes at Northwestern. She is interested in studying medicine and/or healthcare as she enters college.
