Texas and many other states have eased all or most coronavirus restrictions such as mask-wearing. A cost-benefit analysis suggests reversing those moves for just a short period could make a big difference.
Simply making an effort to consider the person behind the mask can help address the biases exacerbated by wearing one.
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Wearing face masks hides our facial expressions and affects our social interactions. They make it harder for us to read facial expressions and can contribute to racist perceptions.
Layering face masks has been suggested as a way to increase protection against COVID-19 variants that may be more transmissible.
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Are two face masks better than one? Adding layers of filtration by double masking is a way of using the masks that we already have, possibly to better effect.
Muslim women say they are having an easier time wearing the niqab during pandemic times.
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Rollout of COVID-19 vaccines has begun. But getting the jab doesn’t mean abandoning masks, distancing and handwashing. Here’s why the current preventive measures must continue post-vaccine.
Face masks are seen in the window of a shop during the COVID-19 pandemic in Montréal in December 2020.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Whether it’s health-care workers, kids in school or people running errands, Canadians need face masks during COVID-19. There’s no reason they shouldn’t be made here at home.
Will the pandemic influence schools’ return to practical skills traditionally gained through home economics?
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Some designers, makers and consumers are imploring us not to stop sewing after the pandemic because of the potential for utilitarian, psychological and environmental benefits.
People wearing face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19 walk past a window display at a store in downtown Vancouver on Dec. 13, 2020.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing has become more than a safety regulation for those working in retail — it’s a sign of respect and an acknowledgement that they’re people too.
Some people respond strongly to perceived threats to their freedom and push back – others are simply more accepting of risk.
U.S. President Donald Trump removes his mask as he stands on the Blue Room Balcony upon returning to the White House Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, in Washington, after spending time in hospital with a COVID-19 infection.
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New research suggests that if Donald Trump had handled the COVID-19 pandemic better and kept outbreaks under control, he might have won the Nov. 3 election.
A man sips a drink while sitting in environmentally friendly physical distancing circle at Trinity Bellwoods Park in Toronto on May 28, 2020.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
As the pandemic wears on, some people struggle to keep adhering to restrictions and social distancing guidelines. There are psychological reasons for caution fatigue, and ways to overcome it.
Teaching researchers and scientists communication skills — including social media proficiency — will help inform the public about new discoveries and research.
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Budget cuts and outsourcing content have affected the amount and quality of science journalism. Scientists should learn to communicate their own findings directly and clearly to the public.
Everything you need to know about non-woven polypropylene, the fabric now recommended for use as a filter in cloth face masks: What it is, what to look for and where to find it.
Just because you’re with people you know doesn’t mean you’re safe from the coronavirus.
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Jason Farley, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
More states are adding mask mandates as COVID-19 cases soar. If you’re traveling, shopping or seeing friends and family in person, masks are a crucial protective measure.
Heavier duty fabrics filter more particles – and layering and moisture make a difference too.
Moral combat: Do you wear a face mask to show you care about others? Or do you refuse because you believe they defy human nature?
Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images
Here’s how governments can get more people to follow COVID-19 guidelines.
The second wave of COVID-19 requires what’s known as ‘norm entrepreneurs,’ well-known and influential people who can encourage people and businesses to adhere to coronavirus containment measures.
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