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Serious question: why is wearing surgical masks a thing ONLY in Japan?
- Thread starter pleaseinsertdisctwo
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They're worn for three reasons:
1. You're sick and don't want others to get sick.
2. You are surrounded by sick people and you don't want to get sick.
3. You want to go incognito and don't want to be seen.
I lived in Japan for like five years so there ya go.
This many times over. Koreans and Chinese wear them too.
1. You're sick and don't want others to get sick.
2. You are surrounded by sick people and you don't want to get sick.
3. You want to go incognito and don't want to be seen.
I lived in Japan for like five years so there ya go.
This many times over. Koreans and Chinese wear them too.
Omg @Woodfield. lol. Maybe it's because it's infested with teenagers and they don't want to catch the flu xD
There's evidence to suggest that they reduce the spread of viruses (via sneezing and coughing) from individuals already infected.
Which could be for a million reasons. I mean how long has it been common for people to wear those masks? Have people who are 100+ years old now always been wearing them?
I believe Italy has a very high life expectancy as do many other European countries, but I've never seen anyone wear those masks there.
we can't even cover our heads with hoodies and assume we're safe.
It isn't a thing in America because we're dumb here and are more concerned with looking cool than practicality.
The literal second some pop star does it, then I could see it becoming a thing here. Taylor Swift, help make us more healthy!
The literal second some pop star does it, then I could see it becoming a thing here. Taylor Swift, help make us more healthy!
I've seen em in large US cities, but rarely.
Definitely seen them at gaming/anime cons, but that's a unique circumstance.
Definitely seen them at gaming/anime cons, but that's a unique circumstance.
Its all of East Asia, isn't it? I wonder if the super high population density prompts more efforts to control disease spread. There's no way to avoid extremely close proximity with people, so you do what you can.
The issue is, at least for Japan, it's great that everyone wears these masks when they catch a cold, BUT almost nobody washes their hands with soap after using the washroom, so it feels like a moot point. I'm not joking: I have worked in five different schools when I was an English teacher, then two companies when I worked as a translator, and what I noticed was that almost no dudes would wash their hands with soap after using the washroom. I'd guess maybe 10% of people used soap - usually just other foreign staff members. It was disgusting. If they noticed that I was in the washroom too, they'd maybe wash their hands with just water for about 2 seconds.
That's definitely gotta be the reason why pretty much the entire office catches multiple colds in fall/winter. It doesn't help that nobody takes sick days when they're sick either.
I honestly wish it was more of a thing in the United States, esp considering how many people think it's cool to engage 'hero mode' and come into the office when they are sick.
Sure you'd have to take it off going through TSA, but I've seen people wearing them at airports on multiple occasions.
I've worn these before as a white guy in the US. No issues.
I've also worn a purse since 2010 and literally no one has ever said anything to me. Just do what you want.
I've also worn a purse since 2010 and literally no one has ever said anything to me. Just do what you want.
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I've actually seen it quite a bit here in NWI. Doctors offices actively encouraging people to wear them with signs and verbal reminders when they notice your cough seem to be slowly getting it to be proper protocol when sick in public.
It's still not as common as it should be though. They also work better for those that are sick to contain their initial cough and sneeze ejections than those who aren't trying to get sick where the aerosol forms of said sneezes and coughs can go through the sides of the mask and get on your skin for possible other infection vectors.
It's still not as common as it should be though. They also work better for those that are sick to contain their initial cough and sneeze ejections than those who aren't trying to get sick where the aerosol forms of said sneezes and coughs can go through the sides of the mask and get on your skin for possible other infection vectors.
It's got pretty normal in my workplace and I'm in the US. They keep them on the end caps for employees, but I see folks in the office wear them from time to time.
it took 27 posts to get to the answer. SARS in east Asia in early 2000s drove a whole bunch of items like this.
I see it all the time albeit from small amount of people whenever I go shopping (Asian shopping place)
Also seen it in hospitals
Wish this was more common. About the only person in my office who wears one but once i start hearing a MF coughing it goes right on. Plus at least mine loosk cool, its a light blue BAPE mask that matches one of my shirts as well. Cost more than one should but whatever lol.
EDIT: This one!
EDIT: This one!
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Would be better if people could/would stay home when they are feeling sick. The masks only keep your germs in a lil but they don't keep you from getting sick. You need a gas mask for that
Because Japan. I don't know how much you know about...
Forget it lol
Every week there's a conbini that gets jacked by a guy in a mask and sunglasses. Photosensitive asthmatic JP citizens would be shot on sight in the US :(
There is no more sense behind this mask fad than the idea that Blood type dictates personality. I'm sure that some weebs will roll up to kick up dust lol
Forget it lol
Every week there's a conbini that gets jacked by a guy in a mask and sunglasses. Photosensitive asthmatic JP citizens would be shot on sight in the US :(
There is no more sense behind this mask fad than the idea that Blood type dictates personality. I'm sure that some weebs will roll up to kick up dust lol
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This video is informative:
Basically:
1) To not spread viruses
2) To protect oneself from viruses
3) Hay Fever, there is pollen everywhere near the end of February and can last through May
Basically:
1) To not spread viruses
2) To protect oneself from viruses
3) Hay Fever, there is pollen everywhere near the end of February and can last through May
I lived in Korea for 4 years, it was 100% for both of these reasons. Some people wear it for fashion, but it's also something people wear when they're sick, when something is going around, or when the AQ is awful. Doctors would actively encourage you to wear them.
I see this in the Seattle area all the time; but there's a large SE Asian population here.
I see SE Asian people wearing masks all the time in the US.
I see SE Asian people wearing masks all the time in the US.
It's super common in Thailand as well. But it has as much to do with pollution as it does with being sick.
I wore one once and everyone treated me like I was nuts though.
I wore one once and everyone treated me like I was nuts though.
I'm curious if kids in school where them? As someone who's formerly part of the "never get sick club"...all bets are off once you have kids.
This is the weak link as almost everyone I know now gets sick from their kids. I'm curious if the people who this would wear masks as home as well?
This is the weak link as almost everyone I know now gets sick from their kids. I'm curious if the people who this would wear masks as home as well?
Yeah, it's these reasons, although you forgot one. Allergies, specifically cedar and pm2.5.
Yes, even children at school wear them.
Wearing them at home can be helpful, especially in winter because the air is dry and wearing them keeps moisture in, some even are medicated to help with sore throats.
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