The global march of face masks: A mirror on humanity

Both in Holland and in Sweden, the authorities have decided, following the advice of their health experts, NOT to force face masks on the general population. I do not think the Dutch or Swedish experts are completely clueless.

The claim that there is universal agreement on this issue is simply not true.

Good for them. Let those who choose to do so, do it.

Show me proof that a mask all but guarantees protection from Covid-19 and I’ll wear one more often.

Already wearing them at work, and here and there.

I can't believe this many idiots in, out of all places, Japan, still refuse to wear mask.

In Canada now people all wear masks, no compulsory measures from government needed.

Nope, my comprehension is just fine.

it assumes that masks guarantee prevention of Covid-19. 

Your use of words like "guarantee" is preventing you from understanding things

Mask are a precursor to vaccines. And people will be shamed into taking it just as they have don't with the mask.

Thee article has common folks opinions in it. Why can't Fuji Group allow there users to have an opinion their comment section.?

“I like the i could care less about the others attitude a lot better”

And this is the argument that always comes up. For that to be true, it assumes that masks guarantee prevention of Covid-19. Thus far research, suddenly conveniently fitting WHO’s u-turn, says maybe, maybe not.

The Japanese think their love of face masks protect them. I think factors such as the health of the population, and a weaker virus strain are the real reason.

I wear muzzles when I have to, however.

Not buying the sudden u-turn on masks. I smell manufacturing profits, and under the table handshakes.

That's pathetic.

I like the i could care less about the others attitude a lot better

“Washing hands with body soap, it is extra creamy stays on the hands longer than regular hand soap after returning home and so on.”

More effective. As for the rest, whatever helps you sleep at night.

Not buying the sudden u-turn on masks. I smell manufacturing profits, and under the table handshakes.

But as I said, I wear them at work because they are mandatory. Beyond that, not buying into the hype.

The moment there's a proper vaccine you'll me stop wearing one in crowded or closed spaces. Mostly indoors only. Strain variants? Meh. Still comes off after there's a proper vaccine.

The way some of you are writing, we should have been wearing them before the pandemic and will always wear masks till our last day on the planet. No thanks to this line of thought.

https://www.erinbromage.com/post/what-s-the-deal-with-masks

Thank you very much @theFu

Masks are a big deal to some though. They’re essentially saying we are not going to have any fun again until they come off. 

They should be a big deal to everybody. You’re half right.

Are you Andrew WK? Do you have a job or just party and have fun non stop?

see the hoardes walk past with dimly lit eyes walking about in them like obedient zombies

Running and jumping about without a mask with your bright shiny eyes sparkling! I’m sure you’re the talk of the town.

There is a law in my part of the world which prevents face coverings due to Klan history. https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-16-crimes-and-offenses/ga-code-sect-16-11-38.html Any face covering worn in public that makes another person feel threatened is illegal. There are a few exceptions - public health emergencies, religious, worker/sporting safety, holiday costumes and theatrical masks inside a theater.

Here's an article from a scientist, in plain English, for why masks work: https://www.erinbromage.com/post/what-s-the-deal-with-masks She sources other respected scientists in the fields of their expertise.

Because you definitely want to get Covid-19 and spread it to other family members, right?

Just keep it simple and wear the mask when others are around you. It gives you some protection, it gives them some protection. The effect on breathing is not such a big deal right? Most older Japanese are used to masks and accept mask wearing in a pandemic as common sense. Younger Japanese and foreigners are the ones to resist this...it's a new world, embrace the mask and we won't have to shut down businesses. To be honest, its not smart to be among others and not wear a mask, and it makes many people feel uncomfortable.

Wearing a mask all the time is not the only option, there are other options like using common sense.

Wearing masks was borne of common sense. And it's part of precautions that include disinfecting hands and social distancing.

What alternative/s does your common sense tell you?

I would rather not wear a mask but I do at work and in confined spaces.

Why, because its better than a lockdown.

Masks are not a big deal... even if you think that they don’t help, the psychology behind wearing them will make your fellow humans feel

better. How selfish do you have to be not to wear one?

if you look at the 1918 flu the same issues with face masks came up then... 100 years ago.

In my experience it’s empty barrels that make the most noise. Those who scream loudly and consistently about freedoms are usually the first to call the police when a neighbour’s bbq is too loud or someone blocks their parking space.

Let's face it there will be people who will not wear a mask even if they know it's for the protection of others. I'm just glad I'm here where there's less of them.

Yeah it's a little like smoking in the sense that smokers know it's bad for others but they do it in public anyways, even in the company of their little kids.

I just wish sometimes there could be a place for them akin to the smoking rooms scattered here and there. A dedicated train car for example, for those who don't want to wear masks.

I've worked in sterile surgical areas.To all those anti maskers. Next time you need an operation remember to ask all those doctors and nurses to remove their surgical masks.

we wear them to protect the patient not ourselves.

you have the right not to wear a mask. I have the right not to be harmed by your stupid actions

“Seatbelts don't restrict your breathing. Can we please get over with this lame analogy.”

And? I’ll stick with Anders Tegnell. Seems a fountain of common sense in a world of hysteria

So much selfish hyperbole and little thought.

Yes lack of scientific data doesn't help but it's a new (novel gives you a clue) virus. seems to me better to err on the side of caution and wear a mask until we learn more.

it isn't going away any time soon. That's fairly obvious now.

Wearing a mask might be the new normal for quite a while. As long as I can work and live my life I'll follow the mask rules.

Ofcourse point out the one case where the mask wearer is the victim...not the many wear the non mask wearer was...stop being so conformist. I'm going not wear one to tick people off

Seatbelts don't restrict your breathing. Can we please get over with this lame analogy.

Some perspective https://unherd.com/2020/07/swedens-anders-tegnell-judge-me-in-a-year/?tl_inbound=1&tl_groups%5B0%5D=18743&tl_period_type=3

“Hopefully there will be a vaccine the end of this year. Can’t wait.”

For which strain?

I wear a face-muzzle at work. And here and there elsewhere.

The day someone shows me evidence muzzles are as effective as birth control, I’ll glue one to my face like many seem to be doing.

Until then, I’ll use my own discretion.

Hopefully there will be a vaccine the end of this year. Can’t wait.

“Reluctantly for many, but also inexorably in the face of a deadly invisible enemy, small rectangles of flimsy yet live-saving tissue have in mere months joined the list of don’t-leave-home-without-them items for billions around the world.”

The jury is still out on the “life-saving” part. Until March, WHO advised against them, before doing a mysterious u-turn.

Have been wearing one when going out to protect others make them feel comfortable and maybe protect myself, but really wonder if they are effective or not.

Is there any truth in social stigma ?

UN run by islamists and perhaps using the masking situation to propagate the veil or face covering , anyway there is so much misinformation , disinformation, lies and untruths flying around no one knows whats real and whats not any longer, what was once true is now bull dust so who knows?

Im missing CN in the global count. And India. Two countries with an enormous cultural cloud these days.

I wear a face covering when shopping, however I have also been looking for more than statistcal models to show how effective masks would be. Not "more so", or "improved", etc., but actual an actual studied value.

This study on effects with influenza from this year on the CDC web site is not exactly encouraging that masks are going to help stop this virus. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/5/19-0994_article

Interesting to read in the article opinions from around the globe.

sparked such furious discord and politicking, most notably in the United States. 

Sadly that wasn’t surprising.

Can people here remember when I said that 80% of the foreigners in Japan dont wear a mask? 

Everyone here complained about what I said.

But now, see the posts here again...

Hmmm, a lot of assumptions and not much else.

Good for you if you think a porous piece of fabric is actually going to do a lot of good. If people think the virus is THAT contagious and deadly, they should probably just stay home and cower under their beds.

The Global Mask Day Celebration should be on 23/05 every year.

The day everyone in the world will celebrate the mask day in their own fashion style.

I couldn’t count the paragraphs in the article on masks but there were a lot...

Can't really blame some people if they feel that wearing masks violates their human right to be stupid

I'm not sure about guns and bikinis but swords and lack of clothes for females yes, in the hundreds if not thousands. I'm not sure why the connection with bikinis.

I do not understand people who do not want to wear a mask during this pandemic. It is selfish and illogical not to wear a mask. How hard is it to wear a mask? I am American in Japan and I wear a mask when outdoors. Why is this even an issue? Its intelligent to wear a mask. Oh! I understand now.

Can people here remember when I said that 80% of the foreigners in Japan dont wear a mask?

Everyone here complained about what I said.

But now, see the posts here again...

Simian LaneToday  04:17 pm JST

Masks? What a depressing article. I could care less for them, and I could care even less for all the tedious so-called leaders and governments around the world seemingly shouting orders 24/7 at us about how we should behave, 

Do you refuse to wear a seat belt when you drive?

I meant: Japanese are not confrontational on my previous post.

I will never ever wear one, I refuse to do so. Why should I unwillingly put a cloth on my safe so others can feel safe? I don't get it, if not feeling safe, just stay home at let others live their lives. Fortunately, Japanese are confrontational and the government can't demand people to wear mask due to the constitution, therefore, I will continue to go maskless regardless what others think.

I did not expect masks accepted world wide as much as today. For long I thought It was Japanese phenomenon or custom.

What a fluff piece. Masks will be essential for as long as the media deems them so

The way I see it, is if someone has to wear a mask in order to go outside, then everyone should just stay indoors. If a person has SAR2 and is out and about, shame on that person for being out there. If one is healthy and no SARS2 then only those who are SARS2 free should be out and about. Of course this is only a pipe dream best to wear the mask. I got my on and an extra just in case.