30/52: Masking it
On Monday I walked into my local supermarket with a mask on and I couldn't believe how self-conscious this made me feel. Most of the time I was looking at people trying to see if they were looking at me!
If you live in Melbourne but you've never worn a mask in public, that's all about to change from midnight Wednesday 22nd July, 2020. For the first time in history (please fact-check me!), every citizen of Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire will be required to wear a mask when venturing into the public realm - or face a $200 fine. Here are some things you'll need to consider:
Your face recognition is not going to work on your phone! #firstworldproblem
The first time is weird but it gets normal really quickly
If your nose is not covered, neither are you
Touching your mask is bad - Set and try to forget (see below).
Masks, if worn correctly, are highly effective at slowing spread - up to 70% effective.
On this last point, in Springfield Missouri during May this year, the CDC reported that two Covid positive hair stylists saw 139 clients over a period of about a week. They had a policy of mask-wearing for both their customers and staff and as a direct result of this policy, zero transmissions occurred. Masks worn correctly are highly effective.
So while it's yet another measure that might take you out of your comfort zone, take solace in the fact that wearing a mask is going to make a big difference. If we all do this correctly, not only will it feel normal to wear a mask in public, but it will slow the spread of Covid-19...and that's worth feeling a little self-conscious for.
In the meantime, here's some tips from Dr. Norman Swan on how to wear your mask:
https://www.abc.net.au/7.30/dr-norman-swan-says-masks-do-work-in-helping/12475202?jwsource=cl