Post by Prometheus on Dec 17, 2020 2:59:55 GMT
People around the world have known for centuries - many, many centuries - to cover their faces when coming close to a sick person as to reduce the chances of catching whatever disease was decimating their population that time around. However, in the past 100 years or so, it has become more and more obvious that covering the face limits transmission from the infected person as well. That's a big reason as to why health care providers wear masks: don't add complications.
Yet, even with that knowledge, the wearing of masks by non-health care professionals has never caught on outside of Eastern Asia.
Why?
Culture.
As mentioned in the "Education" sub-series, children are the retirement plan. You don't want to lose your retirement plan, so you protect it, and in doing so help to protect the retirement plans of those around you. Win-win.
The elderly are revered. The elderly have knowledge and practical wisdom. The elderly have successfully raised their families. The elderly provide care for their grandchildren so mom and dad can work. Keeping them safe and healthy strengthens the nuclear family. Win-win.
People here will don their masks if they are sick (even just a common cold) to protect their family and friends. They wear masks even if they simply have a cold sore or even if there is a "bad air" day. Mostly, they just wear them during cold and flu season to keep themselves healthy and protect their friends. It's still win-win.
However - racism being racism - westerners tend to see an Asian face wearing a mask and thoughts like "If they're fucking sick, they should just stay the fuck home. Filthy <insert racist terminolgy here>." The masks act as a symbol upon which to focus hatred. It then becomes a symbol to be avoided.
Over the past year, the question from Chinese friends - and other random Chinese people I might encounter such as taxi drivers - is simply, "Why won't Americans just wear masks?"
So that I don't have to delve into the issue of racism or the fact that we don't give a fuck about our children or elderly, I usually just say, "Because they're fucking stupid."
The response is usually a sage nod followed by sad head-shake.
They really can't understand how America and other western countries, with all of their wealth, education, and power, can be so foolish.
Neither can I.