Abstract
Recent headlines suggest that mask wearing has become a signal of political allegiance, with the left choosing to wear masks and the right refusing to. Yet COVID-19 affects people of all political persuasions who, like it or not, share similar biological susceptibility to this disruptive disease.
This is not to say that social factors are not relevant. Early reports trying to understand why ethnicity seems to be a factor have indicated that access to medical care, different living arrangements, work environments and even outdoor spaces make a huge difference to people’s experience and sometimes survival in this pandemic. But there is also a biological reality to this virus that can only be understood and controlled using the conclusions of science.
This is not to say that social factors are not relevant. Early reports trying to understand why ethnicity seems to be a factor have indicated that access to medical care, different living arrangements, work environments and even outdoor spaces make a huge difference to people’s experience and sometimes survival in this pandemic. But there is also a biological reality to this virus that can only be understood and controlled using the conclusions of science.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Specialist publication | The Conversation |
| Publication status | Published - 20 May 2020 |
Keywords
- Face Masks
- COVID-19
- KE