Tuesday, May 5, 2020 –
It seems everyone is on to this new fad of demanding everyone else wear masks. I have seen a great number of people post online wining about other people not wearing masks, berating other people, spreading weird and bad information about efficacy, and generally just being **itchy towards other people.
Here are some actual statements I have seen of late:
- “It’s just common sense.”
- “Sooo simple. Everyone should do it! Duh!”
- “Ugg! People not wearing masks are so un-Christian!”
- “You’re trying to kill me!”
- “You are spewing germs around by not wearing a mask.”
- “People are soooo stupid for not wearing masks”
- “We should lock up the idiots who don’t mask. They should die!”
- “Have fun in the ICU, morons”
- “anyone stupid enough to not wear a mask should sign a paper saying they won’t go to the ER so they don’t burden the system. IDIOTS!!!!”
Rarely have I seen any actual scientific data attached to mask proponents. And no, an opinion piece by some random journalist who doesn’t cite sources is not considered scientific data. General rule: primary sources or it didn’t happen!
Yes, in an ideal world, we would all be able to wear a lovely N95 mask properly (as in, correct on/off procedures, test fitted perfectly, and routinely changed for a nice, clean one). However, this is the real world. We do not all have that perfect and disposable N95 mask. Most of us have access to an old cotton shirt…period. Also, the majority of the population seems to fail at just about every step of this process: from ill-fitting masks and improper wearing to a disgusting lack of cleaning.
If you care to read about efficacy (I’m a nerd!), HERE is a research paper from 2013 about efficacy of materials for homemade masks. Unfortunately, it is an abysmally small data set: 21 people. The obvious conclusion is that something is better than nothing, but this study assumes people can wear a mask.
Truth is, not everyone **can** wear a mask. In fact, the CDC does NOT recommend masks for everyone. Likewise, neither Virginia nor my locality has made masks mandatory. They may be recommended, but we are most certainly NOT mandated. Sorry to burst your bubble, but them’s the facts.
Perhaps you should take a moment before snarling at someone. Maybe consider that they cannot wear a mask. For many of us, masks are not a viable option because it makes breathing infinitely worse. Here are just a few groups of people who are unable to wear masks.
Severe Allergies: this one hits home. I wake up every morning and have to clear out a night’s worth of gunk. I take upwards of three separate allergy medications a day. Breathing is already difficult for me year-round, but especially during these blasted spring months. Putting a barrier over my already itchy face and having to remove it every few minutes to blow my nose (assuming I haven’t already sneezed into my mask…eww!) is a no-go.
Respiratory Conditions: asthma, COPD, restricted air-flow, etc. They already have a really tough time breathing, and many rely on inhalers just to survive. Putting something over their nose and mouth is really NOT a good idea.
Claustrophobia: many people do not understand that claustrophobia is not just fear of getting locked in a closet. Anything that confines a person with claustrophobia is a real threat to them. And yes, a mask on their face will absolutely send their anxiety level through the roof.
Trauma Victims: another one that hits home. When you have experienced trauma, especially sexually related trauma, bindings and restrictions of any kind are major anxiety pressure points. For those who have experienced traumas, assaults, or disfigurements on or near their face, wearing a mask can be particularly cruel and cause them to re-live their traumatic experience.
Neurotypical Persons: having worked with autistic persons and other neurotypical people, texture is a real issue, as is changing their routines, clothes, etc. When you have had to chase down a half-naked person over a wrong feeling shirt, then you’ll understand that trying to force a mask on them is not a hill you want to die on. Trust me!
Racial Bias: not one we like to admit or talk about, but it does exist unfortunately. Sadly, our society is not as evolved or enlightened about race relations as we would like to think. Persons of color may be reluctant to wear a mask out of fear of racial profiling.
The list goes on and on…
Again, if you are losing your poop over someone not wearing a mask, please check yourself. They may have any number of excellent reasons for not wearing one. You might not like it, but they are not targeting you with their germs. Don’t take it personally, and don’t scream at them.
Instead, take a moment to pray for them. As someone who cannot wear a mask, I agonize over not being able to wear one, and I really limit my time outside my house to places I do not need a mask. You see, not being able to wear a mask also means I have zero protection from everyone else’s germs, and I see dirty masks on people all…the…time!
Thankfully, my beloved husband, Andrew, can do the shopping for us. Not everyone has a wonderful, masked husband to do their bidding. If you see someone without a mask, please be understanding. They may have a past trauma, or a breathing issue, or any number of things going on that make wearing a mask unbearable. We are just trying to get through this mess without losing our minds. Yelling at us isn’t helping!
Saint Bernardine of Siena, pray for us!
