When it first became common and necessary to wear face masks, we did not fully understand how long term the need for them would be. As time passes and we are still masked, the need to walk, talk and listen while our faces are covered is a real thing so the idea of incorporating a microphone and headphones into the mask is a very sensible one. There is a theory that people will embrace face-masks when they are out and about way past the pandemic.
..masks could become a more long-term fixture in the U.S. is because elsewhere in the world, previous pandemics had the same effect. In 2003, the SARS outbreaks in parts of Asia, including China, Taiwan and South Korea, required mask-wearing. The shock of the SARS outbreaks and a cultural memory of what helped control them could partially explain why the transition to consistent mask use in some of these nations during COVID-19 was seamless compared to the U.S..
Should that be the case, the mask will undergo many more adaptation to circumstances. It will become a way to make a statement, to send signal about social standing and attitude. It occupies prime real estate and will need to step in for what we could have otherwise communicate through facial expression. Adding electronics to it will enable people to more fully disappear while in the the public space. Having a casual conversation with a random stranger will be harder and require more barriers removed than many will have the energy for.
Comments