Real Reasons Why Americans Are Resisting Against The Mandatory Mask Rule

The novel coronavirus outbreak has brought forth a new normal -- the mandatory use of masks while stepping out, social distancing, and government-induced stay-at-home orders. Despite it all, there remains a question in the minds of many: Why do some people find it a real challenge to adhere to the pandemic’s first and foremost safety measure—wearing a mask?

A volley of experts believe the apprehension has more to do with doing the questioning and resisting the new normal—something that not many people want. “If everybody started wearing masks, suddenly, the old way of life is gone,” said David Abrams, a clinical psychologist, and professor of social and behavioral science at New York University's School of Global Public Health.

“You've suddenly admitted that this is the new normal. But you don't want to believe that,” Abrams added, as reported in a media outlet. There’s also a tendency to flout and resist something, upon being forced to do it. This is a psychological trait, and it makes a great deal of sense in this context.

“When people are told what to do, and it's not the conforming, usual way to behave, there's a tendency to question that and to resist," said Abrams. “It's the psychological tendency to react to people telling you what to do,” he added.

That aside, many are of the opinion that there was a muddled approach towards the entire mask-wearing rule during the onset of the outbreak, at the federal level. For instance, President Donald Trump skipped the mask during a visit to a Honeywell mask factory. Vice President Mike Pence was among the many who conveniently overlooked the need to wear a mask—a hospital policy—when he paid a visit to the Mayo clinic.

Moreover, a change in recommendations irked scored of Americans who followed the CDC's initial advice -- to avoid wearing a mask if you're healthy. Soon after, as things intensified sometime in mid-April, there came a strict need for everyone to wear a mask. The contradiction in the advice left people confused and irked.

What also needs to be noted is that Americans, quite like most others across the globe, are on the desperate lookout for security in times like these. And, Abrams maintained that wearing a mask doesn’t do much in that regard.