The problem with hypocrisy is that it shatters truth. If we believe in a principle, but don’t apply it ourselves, that principle is essentially meaningless.
We believe New Zealand can eliminate COVID-19 again. But it could do more to speed up that process with mandatory masks and tighter controls on high-risk venues, including bars, gyms and churches.
Masks are widely recognized as a partisan issue in the United States, but an ongoing study of public opinion in Canada shows that they are becoming politicized here as well.
Rather than a vaccine to beef up your immune system, a psychoactive substance could boost your cooperative, pro-social behavior – curtailing the selfish actions that spur on coronavirus’s spread.
Even though cases haven’t dropped off yet, mandatory masks have probably helped to prevent cases continuing to spiral upwards - which is a real risk with this virus.
Our desire to condemn and punish non-cooperative behaviour is strong. But we must also try to understand the complex emotional motivations of those refusing to wear masks.
Just because someone isn’t wearing a mask doesn’t mean they don’t want to. They might have a disability or medical condition you can’t see that makes wearing a mask difficult or distressing.
Victoria recorded 484 new cases on a day when COVID-19 should have been firmly on the decline if the latest lockdown was working. It’s time to contemplate even stricter measures for longer-term gain.
The fines for failing to wear a mask during Melbourne’s lockdown have been criticised as ‘punitive’. But the fact that masks are cheap or free, with huge public health benefits, makes it justifiable.
Policies meant to improve public health – like mandatory face masks during the coronavirus pandemic – need to take into account how people might adjust other behaviors in response.
A close look at Florida’s economy shows just how vulnerable the state and its population are to a pandemic, and some of the reasons state officials hesitate to take action.
Policy-makers and public health officials would be wise to consider a modern, data-driven approach and incentives to encourage people to adhere to safety measures in the COVID-19 era.