1. When down with a cold or flu
Masks were primarily worn
by people who had already come down with an illness. If you are feeling sick
but can’t take the day off, for the well-being of others, it’s courteous to
wear a surgical mask to cover your mouth and nose so as not to spread the infection
to your class or office or other commuters.
2. For allergy reason
According to mass media reports in March 2015, it is found that 1
in 4 Japanese people are hayfever sufferers. There are different kinds of
airborne viruses including the pollen grains that are released from typical seed trees,
like cedar (杉) and Japanese cypress（ヒノキ), between February to May, while
gramineae pollen grains is (イネ科) at
its peak in July and August and ragweed (ブタクサ), between
September and October. While there is no conclusive proof that wearing one can actually stop pollen invasion and relieve allergy symptom, many take antihistamines in addition to wearing masks as a basic protection
3. For protection
Commuting in Japan often
means spending an hour or more on a crowded train or bus, and not everyone has
the space enough to cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze. People just do
the right thing to wear a mask than having to breath in someone else’s viruses close
by and become sick later. Many
people wear masks when they get on domestic airplanes or the Shinkansen too - during the winter and spring seasons.
4.
For
anti-social reason
Teenagers
wear them, along with audio headsets, to signal a lack of desire to direct communicate with those around
them while they are accustomed to communicate indirectly through the social
media. Many young women, seeking to avoid harassment from public eyes, also
appreciate the relative anonymity the masks provide.
5.
To
keep warm
Surgical mask can
also be used to keep your nose and cheek warm on a cold winter day. You can
safely wear one without attracting any attention outside the hospital. You can even
wear one under your ski mask when you go skiing.
6.
When
not wearing any make-up.
In the Japanese society
where attention is always paid to neatness in appearance and attire, wearing masks to hide
from the public proved to be handy when one needs to dash out to run errands
without bothering with make-up or a touch of the lip-stick.
7.
As part of Fashion
Some people see
masks as a fashionable accessory. An online search for this product will bring up hundreds of results, and an increasing
number of companies are offering masks in floral, polka dots and lingerie prints,
not to mention ninja-style masks for guys.
8.
To
Concentrate
Believe
it or not I have tried that before. A number of people said that a
mask helps them focus on study or work. People wearing masks can be seen in public
libraries, not to mention, some sleeping comfortably on their chairs wearing one.
9. Jobs that require wearing masks
Masks are a
must for singers as it keeps her or his throat moist before a live concert.
Street contractors or factory workers wear masks to protect themselves against
dust and pollution. Celebrities who don't want to be noticed in public with no
makeup, wear masks when they travel.
10. Calls from government agencies
When it comes to preventing massive influenza and viruses outbreak,
especially in seasonal winter, masks become widely recommended. Health agencies
would urge mask use, along with frequent hand-washing. Many schools too ask
students to come to school with masks and advise them to refrain from touching
their noses with hands and fingers.
