Why do pax hate surgical masks so much?
#16
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#17
Join Date: Nov 2011
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I always thought wearing a mask will prevent you from spreading your germs, but won't prevent you from catching someone else germs.
1. I hate surgical masks. The few times I've had to wear them I couldn't wait to get out of it.
2. It gives off the perception that you are sick. When people think you are contagious, the natural thing to do is to avoid you.
1. I hate surgical masks. The few times I've had to wear them I couldn't wait to get out of it.
2. It gives off the perception that you are sick. When people think you are contagious, the natural thing to do is to avoid you.
#19
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But wouldn't it be a net positive if people here started to wear such masks when they had the sniffles? It might cut down on the seasonal cold/flu outbreaks a bit.
#20
Join Date: Mar 2011
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I think most people's experiences with masks is at the doctor's office, where they encourage sick people to wear the mask. Therefore, the thinking 'wearing mask = contagious' is understandable.
#21
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Masks in Asia as everyone points out are for cultural reasons. They really don't do much anyway other than highlight the fact that you may have a cold or want to avoid smog/pollen,
Here in Canada the last time someone in our family had a mask provided to them by a medical practitioner it was for a serious medical issue involving chemotherapy and a weakened immune system.
Heck of a difference.
Here in Canada the last time someone in our family had a mask provided to them by a medical practitioner it was for a serious medical issue involving chemotherapy and a weakened immune system.
Heck of a difference.
#23
Join Date: Dec 2014
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In that case you should feel down right uneasy when around people wearing headphones, whose intention is exactly to separate themselves from their general surroundings, and make communication impossible instead of difficult, whereas that's not the point of the mask.
I think many westerners look at the mask and think either
a) What disease does he/she have ?
b) He/she thinks the rest of us are unclean.
I think many westerners look at the mask and think either
a) What disease does he/she have ?
b) He/she thinks the rest of us are unclean.
I also think your other points (a and b) are right on. And they do combine with mine about separating oneself (i.e. he/she thinks we are unclean so he/she must keep separate).
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#27
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As for modern America, I tend to think of the cultural assumption as being that, unless it's MSP in January, someone who feels the need to hide their face has plans to do something dishonest like rob a bank. An honest person who has nothing nefarious to hide lets their face be seen by all.
#29
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#30
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Many here commenting that Asian's wearing a surgical mask is a "cultural thing". That's a "cultural thing" I admire.I'm astonished that anyone would be offended by worrying that the wearer might be sick because they wear a mask.Would it be preferable if a sick person not wear a mask and spread their germs?
C'mon...quit the whinging.Oh,sorry...must be a "cultural thing".
C'mon...quit the whinging.Oh,sorry...must be a "cultural thing".