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I spoke to people who are still masking outdoors.
They’re not anti-science or pandemic “addicts”.
They’re making a choice based on how they’re treated in public.
“It’s like taking away the male gaze. There’s freedom in taking that power back.” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/10/the-people-who-want-to-keep-masking-its-like-an-invisibility-cloak?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...
They’re not anti-science or pandemic “addicts”.
They’re making a choice based on how they’re treated in public.
“It’s like taking away the male gaze. There’s freedom in taking that power back.” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/10/the-people-who-want-to-keep-masking-its-like-an-invisibility-cloak?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...
Masks protects retail workers from the aggression of customers.
“We prefer not having customers see our faces. When a customer is being rude or saying off-color political things, I’m not allowed to grimace or make a face because that will set them off.” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/10/the-people-who-want-to-keep-masking-its-like-an-invisibility-cloak?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...
“We prefer not having customers see our faces. When a customer is being rude or saying off-color political things, I’m not allowed to grimace or make a face because that will set them off.” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/10/the-people-who-want-to-keep-masking-its-like-an-invisibility-cloak?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...
Masks have given some people a sense of freedom from scrutiny.
“It’s easy to feel like I’m surrounded by mocking, disapproving eyes … Nothing has shielded me from the feeling of vulnerability like a mask has.”
“Simply put, I’m sick of being perceived.” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/10/the-people-who-want-to-keep-masking-its-like-an-invisibility-cloak?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...
“It’s easy to feel like I’m surrounded by mocking, disapproving eyes … Nothing has shielded me from the feeling of vulnerability like a mask has.”
“Simply put, I’m sick of being perceived.” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/10/the-people-who-want-to-keep-masking-its-like-an-invisibility-cloak?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...
Some Asian Americans are using masks + sunglasses as a disguise amid anti-Asian attacks.
“I definitely feel a sense of protection when no one can see my face.”
Some trans or non-binary people find masks lead to less misgendering. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/10/the-people-who-want-to-keep-masking-its-like-an-invisibility-cloak?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...
“I definitely feel a sense of protection when no one can see my face.”
Some trans or non-binary people find masks lead to less misgendering. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/10/the-people-who-want-to-keep-masking-its-like-an-invisibility-cloak?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...
Working on this piece made me think a lot about who gets to exist in public without being questioned or harassed, and how much the pro-science/anti-science and liberal/conservative dichotomies miss when it comes to explaining people’s actual motives. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/10/the-people-who-want-to-keep-masking-its-like-an-invisibility-cloak?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...
