“We are strongly influenced by what others do, and masks enable easy identification of the rule followers and the rule breakers, thus bringing ‘normative pressure’ to bear on the miscreants to unthinkingly conform.”
Dr Gary Sidley, retired Consultant Clinical Psychologist
I’ve never been a miscreant, but I’m slowly but surely getting there.
At least as it pertains to mask wearing.
I’ve always believed in the communal effort towards change.
Taking a stand as a body, rather than as an individual.
It is far more effective to protest with thousands of others than to stand alone outside your parliament building, hoping that anyone will give a damn.
But I’m finding my integrity nagging at me when it comes to masks.
"Masking the healthy is not, and has never been, a benign intervention." Dr. Gary Sidley
Yesterday, I was at an outdoor garden centre, where I was asked to put on my mask.
“I’m outside, so no. Thank you.”
The clerk looked at me in horror - from a good 10’ away.
I get daily headaches which are exacerbated by even the slightest pressure on my nose and sinuses.
(I wear a cotton pad under my reading glasses at home, and some days even a sleep mask is too much.)
So I could use this as a reason to make my case a legal exception.
Except that’s not the point.
Masks are not only ineffective in the attempt to limit the spread of C-19, they’re actually harmful - and not just to me.
Check out…
* This short video - https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/dr-siegel-all-remaining-mask-mandates-need-to-be-lifted-as-vaccinations-rise/vi-AAKtUrF?ocid=msedgntp
* This fascinating article - https://thecritic.co.uk/face-masks-make-you-stupid/
* This comprehensive overview and campaign launch - https://lockdownsceptics.org/the-smile-free-campaign/
I’ve started wearing my mask under my nose when entering grocery stores.
Either no one notices or no one cares - or no one is willing to say anything.
Have we always been this compliant with irrational and damaging rules?
Under my nose, people can at least see me smile with my cheeks.
And when I’m on public transit, I’m wearing it under my chin if no one is within 10’ of me.
This morning, I met a neighbour for the first time.
When I got in the elevator with her, I pulled my mask all the way up.
The truth is, I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable on our first meeting.
But where do we draw the line?
Does giving in to someone else’s unfounded fears do them any good?
It seems to me that serving their interests is best done with courtesy and education.
These aren’t full-out acts of defiance, but as I said, I’m getting there.
I found another great smile campaign here: https://smilesmatter.info/
Their slogan speaks to the positive message I’m out to convey:
Be Bold. Join the Movement. Unmask Your Smile(y Face).
As I summon my courage, I plan to smile more and mask less, until I’m totally mask-free.
And I’m not waiting for a mandate.
We may be far from a community consensus on this act of rebellion, but it has to start somewhere.
What small step can you take today?
If you're still living under these unfounded and dangerous mandates, I invite you to breathe deeply, be bold, and smile with me. 😊 😃 😄
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