WHY DON'T I WEAR A MASK IN PUBLIC

Whether it's a paint mask, a pesticide mask or a government-issued face mask, we all can agree that the masks we wear are for protection purposes. Then why do some people refuse to wear their masks?

In all honesty, I dislike the Covid-19 inspired masks. I cannot breathe when wearing one. The words " I cannot breathe" were uttered by George Floyd minutes before he died. He cried out. Dr Fourie, who is my personal doctor, explained that when I breathe in and out with my mouth covered, I end up breathing in carbon dioxide and not oxygen. Funny because my next-door neighbour, who also happens to be a doctor, says oxygen and carbon dioxide are so small they could easily pass through face masks. Now I'm conflicted because these are two individuals with great educational backgrounds, believe and teach total opposites. Whose story do I follow? Well. I'm glad I'm a writer and not a doctor.

Why do I then feel light-headed and smothered, considering I take my next-door neighbour's expert analysis? There was one driver from Pietermaritzburg who drove into a pole and blamed his collision on his mask. He told police that he fainted because he'd been wearing a disposable mask for too long. The police believed him. The report filed said that he was the only person in the car and passed out due to "insufficient oxygen intake". Well. The World Health Organisation say "face masks of breathable material if worn properly, will not lead to oxygen deficiency or carbon dioxide intoxication".

It is easy to assume that people who don't wear masks are either irresponsible, misguided or selfish. You might end up questioning your decision to wear them when other people don't. But some people find wearing masks difficult or distressing. Let's understand some reasons why.

There's a significant relationship between autism and anxiety. Some people with autism disorders find covering the nose and mouth can cause feelings of panic and extreme anxiety. I have a church mate who is disabled, and I have witnessed that people with disabilities can find wearing masks difficult if they cannot remove one from their face without help. Similar to my church mate, someone with cerebral palsy may not be able to tie the strings over their ears due to limited mobility.

People suffering from PTSD can find wearing masks terrifying and may not have the ability to stay calm or function while wearing one.

I don't suffer from any of the above-mentioned conditions. While we all adjust to wearing masks in public, we must try to assume as little as possible about other people based on whether they are wearing one. Bear in mind, the goal of the public wearing masks when leaving the house is to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission. If we can do that without vilifying people who genuinely can't wear masks or need extra support to do so, we all benefit.