Masking our Anxieties

I've been thinking and talking to friends about this. I was also at a chat with school leaders yesterday and the topic came up - and what do you know, an article on CNA also showed up discussing the same thing.

It's a sensitive subject given the pandemic is by no means over and people have varying levels of health concerns, rightly so, given infection rates are still high and people continue to be vulnerable to this relatively new virus.

Logically speaking, COVID-19 cannot be eradicated. Or it will take decades? Consider Influenza or many of the common viruses humans contract from time to time (it's called falling sick) - nobody is even thinking of getting rid of it, and I'm not sure why. Too costly? Mutations happen too quickly for us to catch up? People won't want to be constantly taking vaccinations?

So as we're heard over and over again, we have to live with it. There is no other choice. It is not going away anytime soon.

So when do we all remove our masks? Is the face-covering going to be a permanent fixture like our other pieces of clothing? There has to be a time when we decide, either collectively or individually, to claim our personal victory. The human race has to move forward and allow our spirit (and immune systems) to work the magic that it was meant to do from the beginning of time - fighting infections and healing ourselves.

I've gotten sidetracked.

Looking back, being forced to wear masks outdoors seems kinda silly now.

I don't want to assume, but I think many, especially the young ones, have gotten used to hiding behind the mask. It has become a safety blanket for the face, concealing expressions, emotions and voices. In my opinion, it has given introverted and shy kids (which are quite common in our culture) an excuse to remain quiet and passive. In an age of global talent competition (which ironically has also been accelerated by the pandemic) we need a generation who are hospitable, expressive and vocal - characteristics which are difficult to show when your face is partially obscured.

The health concerns are real, but let's hope we're not going backwards in terms of social development.