9 Non-Health Related Reasons You Should Wear a Mask
Nicolette Petra
With enlarging clusters, border closures, and a rising death toll, it’s undeniable that Australia is among the handful of countries entering a second wave of COVID-19. The biggest difference between Australia’s first and second wave however, is that the first was mainly caused by returning overseas travellers whereas the current wave is the result of community transmission.
While some professionals are saying this is actually the first wave because earlier in the year Australia never had ‘serious community transmission’, it’s safe to say that these semantics are beside the point. The question now is, to mask or not to mask?
Earlier this year with the first wave (or whatever we’re calling it), there were mixed messages when it came to mask-wearing. Government policies and medical advice about masks varied, raising questions like, which mask is the right mask? Are reusable ones okay or are disposables the way to go? Should I leave the masks for health professionals or grab a pack during my weekly toilet paper stock-up? Do I only need one if I’m sick? Should I wear one at all? Is social distancing in public enough?
Ah! The confusion!
Sadly, confusion continues to pervade mask-wearing. Some medical professionals have attested that masks inhibit oxygen which can lead to health issues in the future, while others have reported that the material masks are made of does not cut off oxygen. Everyday, there’s new information and advice so it’s no wonder we’re all almost bursting a blood vessel to know what to do.
As it currently stands, the NSW government has not yet mandated mask wearing. However, the increasing number of cases indicate we’re probably not far off it. Yesterday, leading coronavirus epidemiologist and World Health Organization (WHO) adviser, Mary-Louise McLaws, advised that the NSW government implement a similar order to Victoria and make masks compulsory in Sydney "within days" to stem the outbreak.
So, sure. Wearing a mask to protect others, stay healthy, avoid a second lockdown and curb the spread of the virus in NSW is cool but here are some other reasons to wear a mask:
1. Hide food stuck in your teeth. Smile to your heart’s content after every meal. No more awkward, “You got something there...uh no, the other tooth. No, the other tooth.”
2. Beard a bit out of control because of iso? Haven’t had time to get to the salon for your upper lip wax? Mask it up.
3. Acne acting up? Your mask has you covered. Literally.
4. Spread awareness while protesting or doing the grocery shop by writing calls to action or messages of solidarity on your mask. Get creative, back a cause aaand keep yourself and the community safe all at once. Too easy!
5. Love getting out of the house (and maintaining your sanity) with a daily drive but hate the smell of petrol? Refuel with only half the smell and keep on truckin’.
6. Avoid that person from school you can’t stand or get out of an awkward encounter with that colleague whose name you can’t remember by concealing your identity with a mask. Nothing to see here, folks.
7. Pet allergies got you down? Become the cat/dog-person you were always meant to be with your mask in tow.
8. Hate chapped lips in the winter? No need for chapstick when you’re mask-protected from those pesky winds.
9. Feel like a superhero (or in Trump’s case, the Lone Ranger) with a secret identity. Just remember to wear the mask over your nose and mouth.
