Why do so many refuse to wear a mask?

Numerous scientists have declared that wearing a face ma ski san effective defense against COVID-19. Why, then, do some Americans refuse towear amask?

Some credible reasons for these widespread refusals may be foundamongthe diverse influences that motivate us.

Disinformation about face masks persuadesmany torejectwearing them, contrary to the advice of experts. If the disinformation is frequently repeated, chances are a larger number of people will believe it.

Wearing a face mask is not one of our regular activities; it’s our habit not to wear one. I call this habit oneof omission. (“I don’t wear a face mask from force of habit of not wearing one.”) Not wearing a mask from force of habit is a default-like response, one that is automatic or givenlittle thought. Even thoughwearing a maskwould be temporary, thousands are still unwilling to break with habit and wear one to protect themselves and the public fromCOVID-19.

Change is another reasonwhymany reject facemasks. Changeis the natural adversary of habit. The former isak into an intruding force, the latter to an unyielding practice. The two often clash like hostile monarchs: change charges; habit defends. As an imposed change, mask-wearing disrupts lifestyles and pleasurable routines, causing many to regard masks as an intolerable annoyance.

Inconvenience or discomfort also discourages some from wearing masks. These two irritants usually accompany change. Complaints abound about masks making it difficult to breathe or talk, putting too much pressure on the face or ears, and requiring extra efforts to eat and drink. Let’s not forget our vanity. Many deplore covering their handsome faces, casting themselves as would-be robbers in search of a bank.

An aversion to authority leads many to view mandated mask-wearing as an encroachment on their personal freedom or civil liberties, and for this reason refuse to wear a mask. A related factor is distrust of authority. Already, many have made known that they do not believe the scientists who say that the recent COVID-19 vaccines are safe. Others defy authority as a matter of hostility toward governmental edicts generally. During the 1918 flu pandemic, the city of San Francisco mandated thewearing of face masks. A group of defiant city residents organized the Anti-Mask League in protest— organizing to hurry one’s owndemise?

It’s a foregone conclusion that we oppose whatever threatens our livelihood, as this chainreaction implies: Wemustwearamask to prevent COVID-19; the mask interferes with our making a living; we’re caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place; we must decide which one is the hardest. Suddenly, the mask becomes a covering of the hardest steel.

Rejection of face masks is but one of a number of our responses to COVID-19. Here’s a scenario that generalizes our responses: Adeadly virus finds itsway to our shores, causing great misfortune; authorities recommendor mandate measures to protect the common health; some citizens readily comply; somecomplyonly after the situation becomes desperate; some comply only after the measures prove to be undeniably effective; some opponents of the measures become enlightened and accept them; some remain unenlightened and noncompliant.

Nevertheless, as a nation, we’ve traditionally acknowledged an adversity for what it is, carefully devised measures to overcome it, and allocated the resources necessary to meet that goal.

We can take heart that this same process, presently represented by mask-wearing, social distancing, testing, contact tracing, limited social gatherings, hand hygiene, a safe anti-virus vaccine, and self-discipline as a civic duty, will enable us to overcome COVID-19.