The Culture of the Mask

I recently did a sociological experiment.

Due to the rampant spread of colds and flus in Stockholm--a typical phenomenon during the long winter season each year--I decided to wear a mask when I go out in the public. I wanted to avoid getting sick.

Most people give me a really scared look, first they stare at me, then turn away, thinking "what the heck is going on?", then look back at me once, twice or even three times.

Ok, a few educated citizens did not give a damn. But it is hilarious that while I am seated on the bus, the entire section around me remains empty. It is as if there was an epidemic. Scarcely do people realize that it is their epedemic that I am trying to avoid.

One day, a cashier gave me a few curious looks and I couldn't resist "educating" him about the merits of wearing a mask. "Well, don't be scared of me," I said. "I noticed that you stared at me for quite some time so I thought I'd disspell your fear. I wear a mask to avoid getting sick. I am not sick myself." He said, "This is really rare in Sweden, you know." "I know," I replied. "But it is a smart thing to do when everybody around you is sick." He nodded, giving me an embarrassed look.

The level of awareness when it comes to transmittable disease is really low in this country, I realized. Well, the general attitude is, what is a cold or a flu? In fact, most people can't tell the difference between the two, and they often tell others that they get a cold, even though they have been coughing so much that they lose their voice. And they keep on going to work, school and gatherings. Downplaying disease is the best way to spread it. What would happen when the bird flu arrives? A typical response would be: "Oh, it's just a little cold. Nothing to worry about."

I was delighted to see people wear masks during my visit to Hong Kong. They are people having a flu or a cold, and don't want to give it to others. Although I don't think everybody does that, it seems that the awareness is really high due to the previous SARS experience. When the awareness is there, there is no more embarrassment. It's a "no questions asked," "just do it" attitude. I like that. And I think that people are much more prepared for any epidemic, despite the high density of the population there.

Unfortunately, I did not keep up my masking policy. Last weekend I had to take it down at a big party I attended, because I was the co-host and wearing a mask would amount to a high degree of anti-social attitude. And sure enough, I caught a flu--a nasty sort of stomach flu that has been circulating all over the city (or country?).

I hope that one day the culture of the mask will catch on, and perhaps even become a fashion statement :-)