Opinion About Masks Changes in the West

#. Opinion About Masks Changes in the West

 

The recent coronavirus pandemic has made people more concerned about cleanliness.

To avoid infection, many are washing their hands frequently and maintaining social distancing.

In Asia, wearing masks is another common way to prevent infection.

In fact, Asians believe it has helped to keep the latest viral outbreak under control.

But surprisingly, this practice is not widely accepted in many other parts of the world.

Until recently, most Westerners had been strongly against wearing masks.

The debate over masks has been especially vigorous in the United States.

Earlier this year, several public health authorities and politicians confidently stated that masks would not help against the coronavirus.

Even the U.S. surgeon general, the highest medical authority in the nation, told people to not buy masks.

"They are not effective in preventing the general public from catching the coronavirus," the surgeon general said in February.

According to experts, these are several reasons for this opposition to wearing masks.

Like the surgeon general, some Americans doubt its effectiveness against preventing infection.

Also, they think that seeing masked people can cause needless confusion and panic among the healthy.

Furthermore, there is concern that the public could buy up all the masks, leading to an overall shortage.

Even now, U.S. doctors and nurses have suffered from not having enough masks and vital medical equipment.

However, this negative opinion about masks has changed as the COVID-19 crisis worsened in recent weeks.

Even the U.S. government began recommending people to cover their mouths.

At the same time, U.S. government officials have also asked people not to purchase N95 medical masks, which are needed by medical professionals.

So instead, many Americans are buying fabric and sewing their own masks.

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be against @

~에 반대하다

Until recently, most Westerners had been strongly against wearing masks.

The people seemed to be against the war.

 

debate @ dɪˈbeɪt

1.(격식을 갖춘) 토론   2.논쟁, 논란   3.(특히 격식을 갖춰) 논의하다

The debate over masks has been especially vigorous in the United States.

The minister opened the debate.

The motion under debate was put to a vote. @ motion  발의; 동의 / 운동, 움직임, 흔들림

 

vigorous @ ˈvɪɡərəs

1.활발한; 격렬한   2.활기찬, 건강한

The debate over masks has been especially vigorous in the United States.

a vigorous campaign against tax fraud @ fraud frɔːd  1.사기(죄)   2.사기꾼   3.가짜, 엉터리

Take vigorous exercise for several hours a week.

 

authority @ ə|θɔːrəti

1.지휘권   2.권한   3.재가, 인가

Earlier this year, several public health authorities and politicians confidently stated that masks would not help against the coronavirus.

Only the manager has the authority to sign cheques @ cheque tʃek 수표 (→blank cheque, traveller’s cheque)

 

confidently @ kɑ́nfədəntli

확신을 갖고, 자신 있게, 대담하게

It can help to visualize yourself making your speech clearly and confidently @ visualize  ˈvɪʒuəlaɪz 마음속에 그려 보다, 상상하다

 

prevent A from B

A가 B하지 못하게 하다 , a가 b하는 것을 막다

"They are not effective in preventing the general public from catching the coronavirus," the surgeon general said in February.

 

state @ steɪt 

Earlier this year, several public health authorities and politicians confidently stated that masks would not help against the coronavirus.

(정식으로) 말하다[쓰다], 진술[서술/언명]하다 / 1.상태   2.국가, 나라   3.국가의, 국영의

He has already stated his intention to run for election. @ intention ɪnˈtenʃn  의사, 의도; 목적