Many comic book heroes wear masks to hide their identity. In nearly every case, they explain that wearing the mask is not so much about protecting themselves, but protecting the ones they love. In this time when people are being asked to wear masks while out in public, the idea is similar, but even more expanded. We are being asked to wear masks to protect people who we do not even know, and possibly might never even meet.
I was quite self-conscious the first time I wore a mask out in public on one of my weekly runs to the post office. When I first got there, I was the only one wearing one. I passed a former student of mine going in, and I could tell that he not only recognized me, but made a judgement call along the lines of "Of course, HE would be wearing a mask when out." Meanwhile, my glasses were fogging and the smell of my breath was already bothering me.
Only as I was headed out did I see someone else come in also wearing a mask. Our eyes met, and I think I saw the same relief I was feeling of not being the only one in her eyes as well, but I could have been imagining it. I got back to the car, took the uncomfortable thing off and felt both relief from breathing in the fresh air and shame that I was so affected by the mask for such a short period of time while there are people wearing masks for their entire workday.
It's become easier for me since then. I've felt both more comfortable and less self-conscious Sure, I still have the suppressed desire to say to those without masks, "I'm not wearing this for me; I'm wearing it for you," but I'm pretty sure that could get misinterpreted. Besides, superheroes shouldn't have to explain why they wear their masks; they just need to keep trying to save lives.
I was quite self-conscious the first time I wore a mask out in public on one of my weekly runs to the post office. When I first got there, I was the only one wearing one. I passed a former student of mine going in, and I could tell that he not only recognized me, but made a judgement call along the lines of "Of course, HE would be wearing a mask when out." Meanwhile, my glasses were fogging and the smell of my breath was already bothering me.
Only as I was headed out did I see someone else come in also wearing a mask. Our eyes met, and I think I saw the same relief I was feeling of not being the only one in her eyes as well, but I could have been imagining it. I got back to the car, took the uncomfortable thing off and felt both relief from breathing in the fresh air and shame that I was so affected by the mask for such a short period of time while there are people wearing masks for their entire workday.
It's become easier for me since then. I've felt both more comfortable and less self-conscious Sure, I still have the suppressed desire to say to those without masks, "I'm not wearing this for me; I'm wearing it for you," but I'm pretty sure that could get misinterpreted. Besides, superheroes shouldn't have to explain why they wear their masks; they just need to keep trying to save lives.
RSS Feed
