COVID-19 Masking Mosaic
The citizens of Planet Earth have already been wearing masks for up to two years now or rather are already forced to achieve that in view in the COVID-19 pandemic that appears to be extremely unwilling to help usher from the much-awaited unmasking from the Homo sapiens. There are actually varying levels of protests or complaints or deemed-hazards of wearing masks continuously. In a way the citizens are showing warning signs of an acute mask-fatigue that’s actually very unfair to even hint at because of the pandemic-fatigue gone through by the tirelessly working medical fraternity-particularly through the peak periods much like the disastrous Second Wave in India. However, the angle in the citizens are not wished away, since this is very real; occasionally the mask-fatigue ultimately causing huge protest marches/uprisings within the US or perhaps in some European countries like Germany. Therefore, it might be our noble duty to evaluate the factors while, naturally, keeping our mask-sincerity securely in position.
All around us we have been getting used to seeing people masking themselves for most unique ways: some loosening it somewhat lower so your nose remains prominently exposed as though they’ve only now realized the need for this organ where inhaling oxygen and exhaling nitrogen is worried; some continue to be bolder toting like a necklace hanging below their chins; in which the more bolder keeping it in pocket or bags and toting the moment the law-enforcing authorities surface; and other alike to this class some do the same while entering shopping complexes or even the like where ‘no mask, no entry’ signboard is prominently displayed and the instant they enter they quickly say to the sellers that they’ve the masks, no issues (actually the mostly masked sellers or shopkeepers should never just smile understandingly at them, but should command, ‘if you have it, you should wear?’).
The elderly citizens weren’t complaining almost as much ast they realize the idea that they are probably the most vulnerable chunk with the population for getting infected. However, vaccination within the full required doses ensures they are a little bolder in needs to complain otherwise in not abandoning the masks altogether. They often consider some doctors (we aren’t aware should they were real or fictitious) advising them never to wear the masks while taking morning or evening walks as it could adversely get a new breathing process. But many elders including myself never have experienced any discomfort in using the walks while using masks on. So, a variety of them do not use it at all plus some demonstrate another styles of wearing like keeping the nose out or utilizing it as a necklace.
The young male community is actually the ultimate example in violating this mask-wearing business with absolute disdain, particularly after you have vaccinated. Their basic instinct of impressing the fairer opposites is an important factor, since with half of their faces hidden they cannot whatsoever afford to display their handsome characteristics along with some other ‘impressive’ activities or habits. Their ‘brave’ and ‘chivalrous’ display is abundantly displayed on the streets, inside the markets, from the parks or playing grounds and even though riding the ‘brave-heart’ racing bikes, besides putting other lives at risk to being hit but of spreading the ailment. We give them a call the future of the country, however they miserably are not able to understand their duty towards all in families or perhaps the other community outside or inside.
The young female community had shown tremendous interests, with the beginning from the pandemic age, in wearing the masks with many different of them diligently trying to find masks that match their dresses perfectly or actively trying out the most expansive pandemic-industry of mask-making. But, as with other cases, their interests got slowly and steadily replaced by mask-fatigue affected by similar instincts of showing their beautiful countenances with full use in the cosmetics much like the lipstick which got tremendously relying on the sticking pandemic. So they have totally stopped wearing the masks, even if it’s just following the unique kinds of wearing as most of these would adversely affect their beauty in varying degrees and would handicap them from creating the required impressions all-around.
There is definitely an crucial mask-fatigue causing thing that affects all from the communities mentioned: this being the prolonged summer because of global warming leading to accumulation of sweat within the masks and causes it to be extremely uncomfortable to utilize continuously. But, you should carry many mask along, get rid of it when unbearable, wipe you face having a sanitized handkerchief and wear the other mask; we rebut. There are huge quantities of economically affordable masks available inside the market. Besides, the sweat-factor is supplied in while traveling/going out, unnecessarily and crowding the trains or metro trains or perhaps the flights and the buses or perhaps the markets; like when throughout the Durga Puja festival the ‘eat-only devotees’ crowded the fronts with the houseful restaurants within the Indian area of Kolkata for example, looking forward to hours with the dead on the night, and naturally, not caring for your masks due to seamless sweating or that they’d have to use it off anyway once getting inside you can eat. There is usually a general agreement about this that one cannot eat using the masks on.
The governments and the authorities have already been in the act of making the wearing of masks compulsory continuously with some needing to impose penalties for violations. Authorities also observe mask-behavior patterns and order that ‘don’t wear the masks using your nose or being a necklace’. But unfortunately, the citizens of Planet Earth think ‘enough is enough’ as well as the ‘unmasking process’ have to be ushered in by hook or by crook. In India with all the Diwali festival looming ahead this mask-fatigue could, however, usher in another peak from the pandemic reversing the required ‘unmasking’ process completely, God forbid. States of India always ban firecrackers during Diwali celebration, but allow ‘green crackers’ the ambiguity of an definition of which ends up in the usual pollution and crowds with undaunted ‘fire-power’ on display as seen recently.
We must conclude which has a disclaimer that no generalization was generated in this piece. In fact, a large chunk with the population still follows the norms like wearing a mask very sincerely, including people in all of the communities mentioned here. The only issue is that with the increasing numbers in the ‘unmasked Covidiots’ across who position the norms-abiding population in danger. To assume a life threatening tone in the end, it really is medically proved that vaccine jabs don’t guarantee full protection from infection, but only lessen the serious type with the disease and hospitalization; but individuals with multiple other diseases and low immunity continue to be at high risk along with the careless younger people endanger their lives by carrying the herpes simplex virus and spreading it.
Chinmay Chakravarty is usually a professional specialized from the creative field craigs list two decades of experience in journalistic writing, media co-ordination, film script writing, film dubbing, film & video making, treating international film festivals and editing of books & journals. Proficient in providing professional services over these related fields. Was an official of Indian Information Service and superannuated on the post of Director, Press Information Bureau, Kolkata in November, 2019. Published his first solo book ‘Laugh and Let Laugh’ in 2017 and his awesome second book ‘The Cheerless Chauffeur and Other Tales’ in 2021.