The Big Mask Face-Off: What Does the COVID Mask Mean to You?
As I was researching some coping skill information for a client, I ran across a link on this topic with an article written by Thomas G. Plante, Ph.D., ABPP, posted July 20, 2020 on Psychology Today. I found it to be an interesting read and wanted to share with my audience and get your opinion on it as well. I am including an excerpt from article below:
“Curiously, wearing masks while out in public to better protect us all from COVID-19 seems to have become a major political issue and statement in recent weeks. Mask-wearing (or not wearing) means a lot more than just wearing or not wearing a mask. Mask wearers now appear to be associated with Democrats while refusing to wear masks in public seem to be associated with Republicans. Masks now are also a statement about one’s feelings about President Donald Trump, too.”
“The evidence-based public health science currently indicates that wearing masks can help avoid the spread of COVID-19. We actually knew this was true during the 1918 Spanish Flu more than 100 years ago. Additionally, wearing a mask in public is not a heavy lift. It is easy to do and masks are inexpensive and often free.”
“Yet, when masks got associated and entangled with politics then it became such a polarizing statement that masks no longer are associated with a reasonable public health precaution. Masks became a statement about politics and identity—which team you are on.”
There’s more to read in article and a link will be posted at the end. In reading article by Dr. Plante and other influencers, I was alarmed but totally agree with the article that the masks has become a political statement and loss its purpose/meaning of protecting us from a deadly viral disease that has taken the lives of many, including some that were close to my loved ones, because of the ignorance of some people not willing to lay aside their differences for the sake of LIFE! Wearing a masks has helped saved my life, the life of my children, and others around me along with prayer, adhering to the CDC guidelines and restrictions on public gatherings, and taking vitamins daily to keep my immune system built up.
I would love to here your views on this blog and feel free to comment on article written by Dr. Plante at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/do-the-right-thing/202007/the-big-mask-face-what-does-the-covid-mask-mean-you.
