"Life in Beijing just wouldn’t be complete without face masks."
Because of COVID-19, masks have become every man’s new best friend, and leaving the house with a mask is the equivalent of remembering to bring keys. One year ago, this lifestyle would have been utterly unimaginable to most of the world, yet for some people, it’s been this way for a long time. The Chinese, in particular, have a long history when it comes to masks.Documentations dating back to as early as the 13th century suggest covering one’s nose and mouth was a tradition in China. For instance, servants in the Yuan Dynasty did so with a piece of cloth when serving food. However, the medical masks we recognize today were actually a result of Western influence and only became popular in the 20th century. As China experienced waves of malaria, scarlet fever, and more in the 1900s, the government strongly recommended masks, just as they are doing now.Life in Beijing just wouldn’t be complete without face masks. When I was in elementary school, every now and then we would have an indoor recess day because of the appalling air pollution, and the SARS outbreak of 2003 reinforced the need to wear them to minimize infection rates.
"As soon as China began exporting masks, they became mandatory and their insane prices dropped."
Just two semesters ago, I used to get to school via subway. Most passengers, including myself, would casually put on a reusable mask in case someone nearby had a cold. I remember once FaceTiming a foreign friend on the ride home and she was beyond shocked to find a mask on my face.Learning from past experiences, the Chinese have been one step ahead during the COVID-19, already well-aware that surgical and N95 masks could minimize infection rates. When COVID-19 made its debut appearance here in late February, my family’s first reaction was to put on a mask, even though it drew immense attention to us. The policy was that only confirmed patients were required to mask up, mainly because the limited supplies had to be reserved for those on the frontline.Unfortunately, many in the West are struggling to wear them. When COVID-19 first made its way abroad, many governments deemed masks to be unhelpful and optional. But when cases grew out of control, they changed their mind and declared masks mandatory.Since I’ve been stranded abroad in Jerusalem, I witnessed firsthand how foreigners have gradually followed in China’s footsteps and adopted masks into their daily life. As soon as China began exporting masks, they became mandatory and their insane prices dropped. Nonetheless, it was still too much for the public to absorb. Walking down the street, most citizens would either leave their nose out, wear it on their chin, or even dangle it on their wrist. The silliest thing I’ve seen so far was a scrunched up mask worn between the nose and mouth.
“How do you manage to keep your mask on all the time?”
Police cars are constantly searching the city for rule-breakers. I’ve watched officers remind citizens to wear their masks properly or even hand out masks for free. Oftentimes, people only rummage through their pockets for a mask when they hear the police siren approaching, a far less common situation in China.The other week, at a Scout meeting, an Israeli teacher and I went to purchase snacks for the rest of the group. The supermarket worker had to constantly remind her to wear her mask properly. As we exited, she asked me: “How do you manage to keep your mask on all the time?” So I explained to her about the air pollution, the SARS outbreak, and the way masks have become part of Chinese culture. She was absolutely stunned.I’m sure countless foreigners living in Beijing feel that way too. If that’s you, maybe you’re glad you had a chance to adapt before facing a global pandemic. Or maybe you recall days when you struggled just like these Israelis. Either way, it’s at times like these when we uncover culture gaps we’d never have thought of before. A custom so common in Beijing can be so unbelievable elsewhere in the world.
Qinglan Du is a 16-year-old student from BeijingCity International School. She’s originally from Beijing but is currentlyliving in Jerusalem with her mother due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Aside fromher passion for writing, she enjoys singing, spending time with friends andfamily, and experiencing new cultures.
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Photos: Qinglan Du, Unsplash