Unmasked

State & federal leaders have ended most COVID measures and encouraged Australians to take personal responsibility for their health (SBS, 2022). This seems not quite right and a bit flimsy - much like this AI-created mask image.

After the 2022 federal election the political line on mask wearing was very clearly drawn in Parliament House. Img: ABC footage tweeted by Dr Darren Saunders (2022)

People who choose to wear masks beyond the mandates have been called 'sheep' in media, social media & to their faces. Personal responsibility seems to be ok as long as nobody sees you doing it.

The pandemic highlighted the media's power in shaping public opinion & government policy. Media outlets weren't shy about whose side they were on. Img: tweet from The West Australian (2022)

Mask & vaccine mandates were/are seen as oppression - a violation of personal rights & body autonomy. This attitude grew as mandates continued and media agitated for personal freedoms in the pandemic.

This popular meme image shows how attitudes to public health measures evolved during the pandemic. Meme-Creator, original 📷 by Antonio Guillem.

Rules for wearing masks in restaurants & cafes were confusing and made little sense. Of course you won’t spread any of that airborne virus while sitting down eating.

Australia’s PM said the goal was to be able to live with COVID like we do with the flu. (9Now, 2021) That plan assumed vaccine protection and COVID actually being like the flu.

Masks can be a barrier to communication for hearing impaired people (Hearing Services Program). Claims were also made about masks affecting language & behaviour development in children.

Whether poorly informed or flouting the rules, people partially wearing face masks was a common sight

A common reason given for mask wearing exemptions was not being able to breathe properly with a mask on (RACGP, 2021)

People with genuine reasons for not wearing a mask could apply for a medical exemption. This included physical illness, a mental health issue or disability that made mask wearing unworkable.

Early mask guidance for COVID was confusing (BMJ, 2020) and undermined later messaging. Is it necessary for droplet spread? Do non-healthcare workers need a mask? Does a cloth mask work?

Public health measures of all kinds quickly became associated with restrictions on personal freedoms

Australia’s Dept Health (2020) reassured us early in the pandemic that coronavirus was spread through droplets and was not airborne