Why do mask discussions get so heated?

[yeOldeTrout]

I get that some people think they are amazing protection.
And others think they are useless.
Or simply not suitable for selves.
Some people want everyone to take every possible precaution.
Others do the bare minimum and don't care if who takes precautions.

But those things are true of every other thing we are supposed to be doing about stopping the virus, like not using public transport, WFH, Rule of 6, 1m+. What is it about masks specifically that gets people especially cranky?

Best I can guess is that it's very easy to say if someone is wearing or not, human beings are very oriented to faces so anything on the face seems very important, and ... I'm not sure what else.

Does it come down to our primate nature being fixated on faces?

Because they are immediately visible. Unless you see people breaking the rule of 6, you don't know they are, but masks you can straight off see if someone doesn't have them.
Also we attach masks with healthcare because nurses and the like wear them so we assume they promote safety. However, healthcare professionals know how to wear them and will change them many many times a day, most people are just shoving them in a bag or pocket and wearing and re-wearing without a thought. I've seen some reusable ones which are grey now rather than blue which makes me want to vom
Also it's easy to suggest people are making up exemptions
I'm not a fan as apparently there is no conclusive proof masks work but wear one to avoid hassle.
But I do find the people most likely to ignore Social Distancing are those wearing masks, I think some think they are akin to a force field

Because if you're close enough to see they're not wearing a mask then it's close enough to provoke your underlying anxiety that they might have IT and they're not protecting YOU

As someone who lip reads, struggles with the distorted sound plus very quickly gets sensory overwhelm and rapidly ends up hyperventilating from attempts to wear them, I am no enthusiast, particularly as evidence from the type and ways in which an average member of the public wears them is quite weak as to their efficacy.

They are a very visible and personal way of constantly reminding us that so much of our lives is being compromised. People like tangible things. Being an extra step or two closer or further away is quite abstract as a defence and it's easy to home in on who is or isn't wearing masks and if it or isn't being worn properly. That's easier to pick over than if someone is close or doesn't need to be present.

There is too much morality attached to masks. You can not see the reason for a perfectly legal exclusion for wearing them, be it a physical health condition, anxiety or trauma, especially if they look healthy. The word "selfish" is used disproportionately particularly as the idea has been sold that masks are to protect others rather than as a personal responsibility. Unfortunately it is also selfish when vulnerable people are physically or mentally compromising themselves in order to avoid being abused by the public. It's also selfish if I end up hyperventilating over close contact with a first aider unnecessarily, and safer if I remain calm and sensibly distanced from others.

I do look forwards to the day when I can look strangers in the face again and we can share smiles. I miss that normality of human experience and it's underrated.

Too much morality -- that's the part I don't grasp. I mean... why?

Ableism. Many people see disabled people as having less worth than them, that they should be neither seen or heard. Especially around mental illness.

Unfortunately it is also selfish when vulnerable people are physically or mentally compromising themselves in order to avoid being abused by the public

But the flip,side if that is that one persin's reasonable adjustment is another person's risk of death.

So one group of people (overed by DDA) expect to be able to do all this things that are OK only when mitigated by masks despite not being in one. Thus meaning that an exceptionally vulnerable group (also covered by DDA) are de facto barred from that space.

An adjustment which puts others at risk is always going to be controversial

I think there’s an element of racism or xenophobia in refusing to wear a mask: SOME countries have to wear masks but we don’t do that HERE. In SOME countries citizens are brainwashed but we Britons (and Americans) are FREE.

Mask discussions would not be so heated if there were no exceptions. On public transport, shops etc you should have to wear a face covering or face shield, in my opinion.

Though this would upset people such as Mr Johnson senior.

Because it’s simple to do and clearly visible to those around. So not adhering through choice (rather than genuine need) suggests a direct lack of care for others around them.

Non mask wearers are easy target for bullies. Pious mask wearers who are on a mission to protect others, (you protect me , I protect you bullshit) are taking there frustrations, anxiety and all the other crap out on non mask wearers. Just ignore the C**TS!!!!

They get so heated because there are too many idiots who continue to be DISABALIST and refuse to accept that people are exempt from wearing them and think it's ok to verbally abuse , threaten and even assault people. That is appalling behaviour and should not be happening. Until it stops people need to be called out on it.

I think because mask wearing is something you actively have to do, for a stranger's benefit. I know that's not strictly true but more so I think than anything else.

Working from home, you either can or can't do; its determined by your workplace. Have your own mini protest at your boss if you wish but I think despite some struggles, most see benefits to home working.

Rule of six - selfishly people can see their own family and friends being affected by their choice.

Essentially, we have a culture of individualism - people on the whole do things for themselves (and 'their own') above others. To ask people to wear a mask is to ask people to adopt a collective approach, which ultimately we're a bit shit at. In summary most people don't see a benefit to themselves so tend to respond negatively. From the 'I won't cover my nose' to the 'I shall compare it to a muzzle and claim I am being oppressed'

Collectivism - the group over the individual and societies that tend to have this approach, are the ones that wear the mask without a collective tantrum. Because their culture does lend themselves to doing things that benefits the stranger.

Actually there is a lot to say for individualism vs collectivism (neither is inherently better than the other)....I'd love to look at the pandemic management as a whole and how culture as above has helped/hindered governments' approaches to their countrys' policies....

Because while most people see them as a necessary evil and think no more about it, some people hold very strong opinions about them (fuck knows why) and they are the ones that get into the discussions. It's a bit like having a passionate argument about hemorrhoid cream.

@myhumps123

Non mask wearers are easy target for bullies. Pious mask wearers who are on a mission to protect others, (you protect me , I protect you bullshit) are taking there frustrations, anxiety and all the other crap out on non mask wearers. Just ignore the C**TS!!!!

This, pretty much

Most.if us are anxious and scared about covid. Fortunately most of us aren't being dicks about it

I think there is also an issue of those who conflate disagreement with the science with refusal to wear.

I'm not convinced there is any evidence that masks help the general public, particularly when fished out of a bag or pocket, worn, fiddled with while one drinks a cup of coffee, shoved back in bag/pocket.

I wear one because it's the law and I'm not exempt but nowhere in the law does it state that we have to like masks or not complain about them. What else can we ban the British from complaining about? The weather? The government?

There are a section of people that just don't believe there are medical conditions that really do cause people pain if they wear one.

I have such a condition and believe me, I wish I didn't, but if the very vocal lived with it for a few days, they may change their tune.

I've pretty much withdrawn from going out to any place where they are needed. The verbal abuse I could put up with, but on the last occasion it was very close to being physical. Whilst that doesn't frighten me, I just don't need to be dealing with that for many reasons.

The nail in the coffin for me was when I was refused entry to the GP surgery by the receptionist, as I'm a "danger to the public".

So if the very vocal think I'd choose that over wearing a mask (and believe me, I'd wear one for a more normal life if I could), they must be more bonkers than I thought.

It seems to be a really UK / America centred thing - I live abroad and there are no exceptions to mask wearing here, except in the case of a physical issue which prevents you putting one on (so a facial deformity or missing an ear etc). Everyone else has to wear a mask or get a €300 fine. People just do it, and it doesn’t seem to cause as much angst as in the uk

Well that’s not true @FrenchFancie - I know there’s been debate amongst Australians about it and I live in Canada and people are somewhat divided on it here, too. Not sure about the vast number of other countries but it seems unlikely it’s just the UK & America (& Australia & Canada).