To Mask or Not to Mask?

I've noticed something lately when I go to the grocery store or have to stop at CVS or I'm watching the news. Not many people are wearing masks. As I've read about and listened to people being interviewed in the paper and on the news, people seem to be focused on themselves. Comments like, "I'm not afraid of getting sick, so I don't wear a mask," or "I don't feel sick, so I'm not wearing a mask," or "It's uncomfortable," or "The government doesn't have a right to tell me I have to wear a mask; I can do what I want," seem to be the dominant themes.

I think we have a serious messaging problem. Wearing a mask is not about protecting ourselves from the virus, it's about protecting others from us. It is well documented that COVID-19 is contagious even when we are not symptomatic. It is also believed that a majority of people who are infected may never be symptomatic. Scientists do not yet understand why some people never develop symptoms and other people do. So we are being asked to wear masks in public not just to slow the spread of the disease, but just in case we have COVID-19 and come into close contact with one of those people who might contract the virus and die as a result.

We don't need to wear masks at home or in our cars, and we aren't being asked to wear masks if we are mostly outside. These are places where we don't come into contact with strangers or where it's easy to maintain our distance. In those instances, however, when we are indoors and it is not possible to practice safe social distancing (staying more than 6 ft. apart), health officials are asking us to think of others and wear a mask out of an abundance of caution. We aren't being asked to do it for ourselves, we are being asked to do it for the good of others and the safety of our community.

Think about driving. We don't use a turn signal for ourselves - we know where we are going. We use a turn signal to indicate our intentions to others so that everyone may be on the road safely. Likewise, the government posts speed limits to help keep everyone safe and alive. The government has every right to impose these limits, and is empowered to enforce these limits, because we have consented to and accept these laws as being necessary for the safety of all. Wearing a mask should be no different. 

Wearing a cloth mask in public can stop people who seem healthy from infecting others.This shouldn't be seen as the government trying to force us to do something against our will, but our way of choosing to show solidarity with and compassion for one another. And for those of us who are Christian, there is another consideration. What does Scripture teach us?

When the Corinthians had a disagreement over whether or not it was okay to eat food that had been sacrificed to idols, Paul weighed in with these lofty words:

 

We know that no idol in the world really exists...but take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the    weak. Therefore, if food is the cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.  - 1 Corinthians 8:4,9,13

I love Paul's reasoning here. He says we may have the right to do (or not do) something, but that doesn't mean it's right to do it (or not do it). Our decision should be made with the good of others in mind, not our own personal rights.

Other parts of Scripture tell us very clearly, over and over again, that we should think of others before ourselves. Here are just a few:

 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 2:1-5

Do not seek your own good, but seek the good of your neighbor.   - 1 Corinthians 10:24

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  - Mark 12:31

 

And of course, there is the Golden Rule (I like Eugene Peterson's translation): 

 

Here's a simple rule of thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then take the initiative and do that for them.  - Matthew 7:12 (MSG)

People today are worried and anxious. Some of them may have compromised immune systems and are literally afraid for their life when they go to the store. People need to feel safe, loved, and cared about. Christians should be leading the way in the wearing of masks. Wearing a mask can be our way of saying to others, "I care about you." It can be our way of showing them love, of being Jesus for them. Why would we ever be against that?