To wear a mask or not to wear a mask, that...

As a general rule, most people do not like being told what to do, particularly from their respective governments. When Covid 19 presented itself on the world stage, people had a hard time excepting going into lock down, social distancing, ordered not to go back to work, (understandable) and in many cases, wearing a mask. In Australia, we followed orders, once realising how hard Italy was hit with the virus. As a result, I believe, as a country, we have dodged a major bullet. However, in other countries like the US and Brazil, for example, the lack of a swift response has been devastating, as their respective death tolls are the largest on the planet.

In the US, wearing a mask while in public, was of the utmost importance, but many people seemed to ignore the rule, and carried-on as if the virus wouldn't effect them. This resulted in many people, particularly people of colour, to be violently taken down and carried away to the clink. The great irony, though, was the US president refused to wear a mask as well. Certainly a beacon of light for Trump's base, they followed the president's example. But this begs the question, why wouldn't the president and vice president wear a mask during a pandemic? Both men had their reasons, and both different ones.

For Trump, his refusal to wear a mask was purely out of vanity. The Trump administration is all about optics, and Trump, the proven narcissist that he is, thought it would be perceived as weak, and dare I say, unmanly. This is, of course, childish, and transparent, but isn't it important as a leader to set an example for their followers? Lately, Trump has been photographed wearing a mask, and sources have reported, that he became livid at the press for publishing the pictures. Many people outside of the US, find Trump to be a conceited buffoon, so not surprised at this immature behaviour.

The VP, however, I believe, wouldn't wear a mask for different reasons. As a died in the wool Christian fundamentalist, he believes solely in the power of God's Will, guiding the world toward the Rapture. Pence's thinking would be, well, if God wills me to become ill, it is certainly His Will. Therefore, I don't need to wear a mask. God aside, this is unreasonable thinking, as wearing a mask is for a particular reason.

You see, wearing a mask during a pandemic, is not only to protect the wearer from illness, but to protect others you may come in contact with if you have the virus. By wearing a mask, you are protecting people you surround yourself with or pass along the street. The mask is for others and not necessarily yourself. Wearing a medical mask goes both ways. So to see two leader's of the so-called “free world” not take basic health advice because of vanity or religious belief, is truly astonishing.

What is even more astonishing, is to see people around the US defying social distancing, and doing it in a big way. They're not only not wearing masks, but gathering like primitive tribes' people, ignoring the health warnings, despite being the country with the highest death toll of Covid 19 in the world.

To wear a mask or not wear a mask, that is the question...advice: WEAR A MASK.