JOURNALS

ABSTRACT

The present paper examines the social effects of face masks worn during the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus is on the impact of the face mask on social interactions especially facial appearance and expressions, identity, inter-subjectivity and the freedom of the wearer. The work equally x-rays some latent meanings embedded in the face mask, deriving from the peoples' lifeworld. The approach is both analytical and phenomenological. Considered from the perspective of the phenomenal nature of reality, it is discovered that the dynamics of the mask is such that it diametrically and simultaneously exerts positive and negative impacts on both the wearer and the beholder. While the face mask is claimed to shield from the dreaded contagious disease and thus curtails further spread; it somehow distorts the voice and partially occludes the face thus impairing easy recognition, communication and inter-subjectivity. Most times, the face mask arouses confusion that keeps the mind of the beholder ever wondering what lies behind the mask. From interpretative perspective, the mask, generally speaking, connotes spookiness and inauthenticity. The mandatory wearing of masks and social distancing as enforced by many governments during the pandemic, told negatively on personal freedom; just as the ubiquitous caveat "No Face Mask No Entrance: found in most public places sounded highly restrictive. These cumulatively have far-reaching adverse effects on social interactions. While the paper sounds a caveat about these possible social repercussions, it draws attention to the fact that face mask can be still improved upon to remedy these negative effects. The paper finally calls for further exploration of the latent meanings embedded in face mask.