On Feb 26, when an Italian lawmaker went into the country's Lower Chamber with a mask (口罩) to prevent the novel coronavirus (新冠病毒), he was questioned and criticized by others as they thought that wearing masks would cause unnecessary fear and panic. You might be surprised, as in China and other Asian countries, people have willingly put masks on during the outbreak (爆发).
In the west, people are taught to wear masks only when they get sick. They thought masks are seen as a tool to protect sick people and prevent the disease from spreading, so healthy people don't need to wear them. According to a survey done by Global Times among some European and American people, wearing a mask in public can make them feel "worried" and "afraid of being looked at differently."
But as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to grow in the world, things start to change. In the US, for example, the need for masks is very high now. The US surgeon general has been asking people not to buy too many masks, as they are more needed in hospitals than the public.
In Japan, wearing masks has long been seen as a manner to comfort others when one catches a cold or flu. Some Japanese also turn masks into fashion, with different colors and patterns to match their clothes.
In more cultures in Asia, wearing masks might also be a symbol of solidarity (团结) during the outbreak, according to Lynteris. People wear masks to show that they want to stick together in the face of danger.
