In August 2021, a video of Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez donning a face mask on the steps of the US Capitol gained widespread attention. This scene, once commonplace, attracted notice because Ocasio-Cortez had been filmed socializing with a large group without a mask before posing for a photo. This prompted conservative media outlet Breitbart to tweet the video with an air of satisfaction.
By that time, face masks had evolved into a significant political symbol in the United States. For the left, wearing a mask indicated sensible, community-focused liberalism. For the right, it was seen as a sign of virtue signaling or being part of the coastal elite.
In certain areas like Kentucky, businesses prohibited entry to those wearing masks, while in cities like New York, entry was denied to those without them. A resident in Brooklyn recounted a moment of embarrassment after accidentally stepping outside without a mask during a hot day, even though the concern was not about spreading COVID-19, but rather the social norm of mask-wearing.
Presently, the importance of masks, as a political symbol, has diminished. Earlier predictions suggested that mask-wearing might become common during cold and flu season due to their pandemic usage, but this has not materialized. In London, for example, masks are rarely seen in public, except occasionally worn by servers who lack sick pay protections in the US.
The politicization of mask-wearing has deterred even liberals from using them, due to the fear of being perceived as virtue signaling. In recent weeks, many have reflected on the past as they recovered from severe viral infections, including flu, that have affected otherwise healthy individuals. UK hospitals experienced a large number of critical incidents at the start of the year, prompting discussions of a “flu crisis.” Health officials anticipated one of the worst flu seasons on record.
The debate over the effectiveness of masks continues, influenced heavily by political views, much like opinions surrounding vaccines, lockdowns, and various cultural issues. These disparate viewpoints lead to a polarized culture, where judgments on policies and ideas are clouded by partisan biases. Even economic data shows discrepancies: there is a notable gap in inflation expectations between Democrats and Republicans.
The prevailing theme is a call to resist the tendency to hyper-politicize every issue. By listing beliefs online as a declaration of taking the moral high ground, one risks intensifying opposition. A societal choice must be made between prioritizing a prosperous, healthy community or succumbing to tribalism, as the latter leads to a distorted view of reality and decreased wisdom.
