The general public is particularly adept at applying peer pressure--especially when it comes to shaming. A pandemic doesn’t change people’s habits as much as it amplifies them. A hot topic that has entered the public discourse is mask shaming: shaming others who refuse to wear a medical face mask or similar covering.
Using a mask has become a controversy for a variety of reasons.
First and foremost, COVID-19 is a new virus, which means that scientists and
medical professionals are still learning new things about its spread to this
day. In all respects, studying this virus is uncharted territory, and it is
easy to fear the unknown.
In the early days of the outbreak there was also a shortage of
medical masks and N-95 respirators, which meant these items had to be reserved
for healthcare personnel and first responders. As a consequence, the insistence
by government leaders to not use these medical face masks as a rationing
measure resulted in a mixed reception amongst the general public.
How the Controversy Evolved
Since April, the mask shaming controversy has changed into a
hotly contested and politicized affair. Inconsistent public policy regarding
masks at the federal and state levels also meant that people were left to make
their own decisions, and this led to getting information (or validation) based
on an individual’s biases and long-held beliefs--regardless of medical
accuracy. As a result, if one didn’t feel like wearing a mask, they could cite
outdated recommendations to justify their behavior.
Another factor is fear. Responding aggressively to stimuli is a
self-defense mechanism that is inherent in every human being. The fear response
attempts to exert power over something. In this case, it’s a two-way street. A
proponent of masks might shame people into taking precautions. Likewise, an
opponent of masks might guilt others into thinking that they are being
controlled or are giving up their civil liberties.
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