Mask Or No Mask.. Respect For Others Isn't Much To Ask

The masks are coming off. In about a week, all social distancing rules down south will be lifted.

The requirement to wear face masks will then become a matter of personal choice.

Some see this as a cause for celebration while others are deeply concerned.

But before we start turning on each other, let’s parse this out a bit.

Aside from the debate about the efficacy of face masks, a feeling has set in that those who are less keen on them are simply cultured war edge-lords.

And as with the culture war – where one opinion is taken as proof positive that the individual concerned is an irredeemable banger – face mask scepticism is viewed by increasing numbers as a red flag for thoughtless conspiracy theorists and right-wing headcases.

This is naive. A person’s beliefs and political leanings cannot be reliably predicted based solely on their adherence to social distancing guidelines.

I know nurses and local business owners who are furious at what they regard as nonsensical public health advice.