People all over the world are now taking action to fight against COVID-19. But what they do may depend on their own culture and traditions.

On Feb 26, when an Italian lawmaker (议员) went into the country’s Lower Chamber with a mask to prevent the novel coronavirus, he was criticized (批评) by his workmates for “causing panic (恐慌)”. Articles from Western media carry headlines such as “No, you do not need face masks to prevent coronavirus.” You might be surprised, as in China and other Asian countries, people have willingly put masks on during the outbreak.

Western thoughts about masks

In the West, people are taught to wear masks only when they get sick. Masks are seen as a tool to protect sick people and prevent the disease from spreading, so healthy people don’t need to wear them. Therefore, during the novel coronavirus outbreak, overseas Chinese students said that they would be “stared at like a virus spreader” if they go out with a mask. According to a survey done by Global Times among some European and American people, wearing a mask in public can make them feel “worried”, “shy”, and “afraid of being looked at differently”.

But as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to grow around the world, many people in the West are changing their attitudes (态度). In the US, for example, the need for masks is very high now. The US surgeon general (卫生局局长) has been asking people to avoid hoarding (囤积) masks, as they are more needed in hospitals than by the general public.

Mask culture in the East

In Asian countries like China and Japan, there has been a long tradition of mask-wearing. In China, for example, when doctor Wu Liande invented the modern medical mask during the pneumonic plague (肺鼠疫) in 1910, the mask became a symbol of China’s position as a modern, scientific nation. The 2003 SARS epidemic again led to the wide use of masks as a form of anti-viral (抗病毒的) protection in China and elsewhere in East Asia.

In Japan, wearing masks has long been seen as a manner to reassure (使安心) others when one catches a cold or flu. Some Japanese also turn masks into fashion accessories (配饰), with different colors and styles to match their clothes. Wearing masks is also a way to “hide” for young women when they don’t have their makeup (化妆) on.

In more collectivist (集体主义的) cultures in Asia, wearing masks might also be a symbol of solidarity (团结) during the outbreak, according to Christos Lynteris. “Mask culture in Asia creates a sense of a fate (命运) shared, common obligation (责任) and civic (公民的) duty.” People wear masks “to show that they want to stick together” in the face of danger, Lynteris wrote.

Meiqi Guangdong

Many of my classmates are losing weight (体重) so they can look more beautiful. There is nothing wrong with being beautiful, but it is not wise to lose weight by dieting (节食) unhealthy. In fact, life is the most important thing. Exercise more and eat less. This could be the best way to lose weight.

Zixuan Wuhan

These days, many of us have idols (偶像). It’s good to like someone with great qualities (品质). But sometimes some fans are too crazy. For example, they might spend too much time watching their idols’ shows. They also buy expensive gifts for their idols. But their own lives might be pretty hard. Fans should love their idols in a healthy way.

Miaoxi Sichuan

I often see people wearing hanfu on the street. Some might think they are strange, but I don’t think so.Some people enjoy fashion (时尚), while others like tradition (传统). In fact, when I sometimes see girls wearing hanfu in my school, I say to myself, “Wow! That’s a beautiful dress!” One day, I will wear hanfu and introduce (介绍) it to foreigners (外国人).