FACE MASK- A CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY

Pre- covid times were fun! We used to see a variety of people around us and seeing different types of expressions, emotions which most of the times showed their moods and helped us understand people without having that verbal communicator. Well, its going to be some time now before we see people’s faces again! At least for most of the population who strictly always adhere to the order of wearing masks when out of their comfort zones. All these while the face which was the most exposed part of the body in the public domain now seems like a gated property that only allows access to nearest family members and mirrors. 

In the current scheme of things, the mask has now become the biggest source of protection for us and for others whom we come in contact with. The biggest beneficiaries of this protection are the healthcare angels who are at the front end of this crisis-fighting the situation day in day out. 

The masks do make the faces disappear but there is no doubt that it’s the most basic protective equipment today to ensure our well-being.  There is an identity crisis when using masks, but it tells a lot about us in the way we use it.

Then there is a range of fashion element now in the way masks are worn as well.  There is that population of “PERFECT 10” who wears their masks completely covered and explodes against those who are less careful than themselves. Even the slightest view of imperfection in the outside world becomes an opportunity for them to vent their frustration into their masks about other’s irresponsible behavior. The other lot, well a majority lot who believe that wearing a mask anywhere is better than not wearing any, sometimes at half-mast, under the chin, under the nose and in ways comfortable enough to breathe

Symbolically, wearing a mask is indeed a sign of taking civic responsibility.Its now every person’s collective endeavor to ensure that the virus spread is limited and controlled to not spread to the community.  The use of mask is to protect oneself from everyone else who is deemed to be unsafe. It may be worn by an individual, but the goal is to protect the masses.

Masks as such has not been new to human mankind, be it a rogue robber in a town or a movie superhero or a robin hood who hides his/her identity for reasons best known to us.  Beyond masks, there are also invisible masks which merely doesn’t hide one’s real self-appearance, they hide intentions, suppress real feelings and helps present a face the world wants to see which a need in today’s world.

The masks have been some real source of transformation which is quite evident in the Hollywood blockbuster Jim Carrey starred “mask” where the mask transforms the shy character into a new person, a new superhero who becomes necessary social worker for the underprivileged. Then we have masks for occasions ranging from political meet (Ex Modi masks), fear evoking stages (Halloween masks) etc.

The masks also give us a certain level of license to live life as we want without fear of consequences.  It’s a familiar sight of young women in towns and cities who cover their faces with dupattas while riding two wheelers. It may be observed that there is a dual role of the masks in this. One, to protect the skin against the harsh outdoors while the other is to feel a sense of anonymity. It’s an effective measure of privacy from the public where it is common to have evaluative gaze of women.

The mask in general has in fact become quite an essential part of our life today, it hides, protects, transforms, communicates and sometimes frightens as well. While its use has been seen in a wide range of circumstances, the mask is always more than protection or disguise. We always must remember that we still speak through our masks and breathe through it!