As the global novel coronavirus (新型冠状病毒) speeds up, many are wondering about the effectiveness of masks and when it's appropriate to wear them. Most people from the East believe that wearing a mask is essential to control the spread of the disease. But people in the West generally would argue that, unless one is already ill, wearing a mask is simply unnecessary.
In Eastern countries like China, mask-wearing is rooted in their cultures. In fact, people in the East wear masks not just to protect themselves from illness but also for a variety of other reasons. Young people in Japan, for example, wear masks as a fashion statement, expressing their personal style through unique designs and patterns. Wearing a face mask is also an outward expression of group-centered values. With one's face partly covered, one becomes part of a giant group. In many Asian countries, masks are worn in many conditions in daily life, such as doing housework or visiting patients in the hospital. They can give people the comfort of being protected.
In Western countries, however, individual values are the most important. It is up to the individuals to decide whether to wear masks or not. A face mask is reserved only for those showing symptoms (症状) of illness.
As a citizen, it is one's duty to prevent the spread of illness by following proper procedures. Whether from the East or the West, social culture has played an important role in one's decision on whether or not to wear a mask. That's because human beings are social creatures who take into consideration what other members of society think of us. The most important thing is to respect others' opinions, no matter how different they are.
