The Common Trend-e-nominator

There was a time when wearing masks was fashionable (and don't get me wrong - it still is). In particular, this was (and still is) a thing in modern East Asian culture, specifically amongst the Japanese. Having read a few articles, i discovered that Japanese people wore these masks due to allergies and to prevent spreading their germs to other people - very considerate!

Before the start of the pandemic, my best friend decided that he would buy a mask. On his way to and from work, he would constantly have to inhale all that dirty air flowing through the London Underground. Thus, it made sense for him to invest in one.

I can recall what he told me about the initial reactions. He had gotten stares, and from quite a number of people on his journeys. Why? (By the way, the answer i'm about to give you is based on my telepathy). Because if you are wearing a mask in London and are not from East Asia, then it is weird for you to wear a mask unless you are riding a bicycle. Little did they know that my friend was wearing it for health reasons.

It's rude to stare don't ya know? *laughs*

Yeah, i'm not telepathic. I just took an obvious guess. I may be wrong even. Who knows...

Anywho, he eventually got used to the stares. I have to admit that even i felt uncomfortable at times, especially when we were browsing in shops. Any unusual activity raises the shopkeeper's (or security guard's) suspicion, great...an extra stare.

As there are health benefits to wearing a mask, i decided that i would buy one for myself. Before i could get round to buying a mask, the pandemic hit. In the blink of an eye, all of the masks were sold out. I tried to buy one of the high-quality masks, the masks designed to filter out virtually 100% of those harmful pollutants i.e. the N95 or N99. Instead, i had no choice but to opt for the cheap blue surgical masks. Unfortunately, these masks did not pair well with any of my clothes. Sounds oh so shallow doesn't it? Given everything that was happening and continues to happen before our very eyes.

As time went on, wearing masks everywhere became normalised here. In fact, if you're not wearing a mask then you'd be in for a lot of flak.

I no longer feel alien about it. I actually feel more comfortable wearing the mask than in comparison to not wearing one. Most of the time i have a resting b*tch face anyways so it worked for me. Also, you kinda get to choose what faces you can pull at people who get on your last nerves. You can pull subtle facial expressions (with the bottom half of your face). I wouldn't suggest making full-on expressions; masks can't conceal the outline of your face.

Plus, i love the different mask designs that i have seen. Some masks have patterns, some have one-liners, or even both, or none.

Sadly, beneath these colourful and vibrant were the loss, pain, and agony that each of us has endured during this pandemic. The masks have been one of our greatest protectors this year. Do you agree?

So you're probably thinking that my verdict is something along the lines: the masks should go out of style. No, i don't think it is the masks should be left 2020 per se. It is the need to wear a mask everywhere you go that should go out of style. And, please do not misconstrue this as - you should break the rules and not wear a mask. No. Don't do that.

In other words, i'm looking forward to the end of this pandemic, and i'm sure all of you are too because this is so 2020...