- Ellen Bassett
Masking Politics
The American public continues to be whiplashed by the politics of masks. Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control (recently describe in Inside Higher Ed as an agency operating with two hands tied behind its back), emphatically told Congress that the most critical tool for controlling the spread of the coronavirus was the mask. Hours later the President contradicted him.
I have an impressive array of masks, part of my wardrobe now. Some homemade, some store bought. Should I wear a black mask today? Maybe one of my UVA themed masks? Or perhaps a little African kitenge cloth would go best with my dress? ... So many choices!
Luckily, I don’t think we are being fooled by this foolish pushback at the federal level.
Two days ago when biking back home from my office I saw some local exhortation to wear masks taped to some telephone polls. Don’t know who is responsible for them but I love ‘em! See below.
