Masks - Should we wear them anyway?

With the ever-annoying COVID-19 pandemic raging on, masks have become essential in our daily lives, specifically when leaving our humble abodes. However, it poses the question should we just wear masks if we are ill, no matter the illness in the future?

This policy is put into effect in some Asian countries like Japan and South Korea, where the people take initiative to protect not only themselves but their peers.

The policy could be seen as a reminder of a fundamental long-standing feature of the Japanese government's approach to welfare, which is that people should look after themselves as much as possible.

Post-war Japan placed economic growth as its first priority to catch up with the West, and social welfare policy took second place. In spite of its high level of economic development, Japan's welfare policy has depended more on the family, companies, and communities than the government.

Japan has continued to pursue the path of ‘a welfare society’ rather than a welfare state. Different governments have attempted to deviate from this path on several occasions, but in the current economic downturn and with a 'super-aging' population, it is no easy task to change the approach.

The ‘Abeno mask’ policy symbolises the approach of the welfare society. In other words, it is a reminder that people should rely on themselves rather than the government.

Whether this would work in the UK or not is yet to be seen. Considering the lack of respect given to the masks in the lockdowns and tiers, I doubt it would, however, it would no doubt prevent future pandemic threats and just the general spread of illness in the country.

Although the government most likely will not take this initiative, we can buy and wear masks whenever we can to help ourselves. Orpian® surgical grade 99.9% BFE masks are ones I would recommend. They come in packs of 30 and are disposable, making them handy as they last a few weeks before they run out.

You can buy Orpian® masks on this site now.