People wear masks for a variety of reasons. We can wear a mask in its physical form, as we are now encouraged to during the pandemic. We can also figuratively ‘wear a mask’ in presenting a false self to the world. Masks come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours, and materials. Their uses are varied. They keep us safe from the spread of the virus, to create a mystery to our real identity, to cover disfigurement or even as a cream applied to the skin to cleanse our faces.
Currently in Australia, one of our capital cities has recently mandated mask wearing in public. Other states in the nation are waiting for the possibility of following suit. It has been six months today since the first positive case of Covid 19 in Australia. A journey of unprecedented change and unpredictability for our population
“Our face masks may hide our cheerful smiles, but not our determination to get on top of this”
Cameron-Hill and Yates Seminars (Melbourne, Australia)
The effect of wearing a mask
When we wear a mask either over our eyes or mouth, our face is partially covered. Our identity is slightly disguised and remains mysterious. The allure of a mask at a masquerade ball gives the enticement of a stranger, even though we may know the person’s identity behind the mask. In the current pandemic, community wearing of masks creates less allure and more a sense of social and emotional distance.
Facial expressions such as the crinkle of skin around our eyes when we smile or the movement of our lips as a grimace or surprise are hidden behind the veil of a mask. We are partially disguising both our identity and our emotional responses. Whether it is a cheerful smile, frustration at others who fail to take the pandemic seriously or sadness at the losses we grieve to our previous way of life, our emotions are partially hidden.
We use 43 facial muscles to create the expressions that mirror our emotions. If anxiety causes us to avoid eye contact with others, we may miss the covered subtle signs of not coping with this ‘new normal’ existence. Without seeing our whole face, our eyes become paramount indicators of our inner well-being.
Our voice can also be disguised as it becomes muffled under the fabric of a mask. We appear to mumble if we don’t speak loudly and clearly. It is also clasped firmly around our mouth making it more difficult to breathe and uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Why do we choose to wear a mask?
In our world right now, the primary reason is for safety and protection. Although we have been receiving mixed messages around the effectiveness and necessity of wearing a mask in our daily lives, they are a vital armour for health care workers who deal firsthand with positive Covid 19 patients.
The conversation around mask effectiveness has focused on the concern they may give us a false sense of security and a complacency around our behaviour. Our other defenses of hand washing and physical distancing are meant to work in tandem with a mask.
Masking our true identity
It’s not necessary to wear a piece of cloth across our face to figuratively wear a ‘mask’. In this sense, it is living without showing our true identity or authentic self. We can all be capable of this type of behavioural response. Like a chameleon, showing different versions of ourselves in different settings. When we are out in the world in our jobs and relationships a false persona can emerge. It is not until we are safely at home in our secure, known environment that we can truly take the ‘mask’ off and be ourselves.
The mark of a good sense of self identity and worth is to behave authentically in the world. To be comfortable to show the person we are without covering the details. This requires both vulnerability and courage. Begin with those closest to you, those you can trust. In being completely ourselves, we allow others to feel safe enough to be themselves too.
Masks have become a vital accessory to our current Covid 19 journey. They have lessons to teach us about who we are and what we may hide from the world. Whether we are wearing a physical mask or our face is exposed, it is important to show our true nature with others. Only when we feel comfortable to come out from the behind the mask, sharing our thoughts and feelings, can we really connect with and support each other at this time.
