If you like to follow Covid-related news in Japan like I do, your reaction to the headline of this post is probably similar to my reaction yesterday when I learned of this information: “WHAT!?
I have been living in Tokyo for 2 weeks now and I just feel so disheartened by all the people here who incessantly wear the masks. When alone in their car, when in restaurants, when walking down wide empty streets. Will Japan ever be able to relinquish mask mania, or is it here to stay indefinitely? Are the Japanese people so conditioned and so mentally scarred at this late stage that there is no going back? Every now and then I do see a glimmer of hope, one young person in a sea of hundreds on the trains who refuses to toe the line and give in to this admittedly pathetic societal pressure. Are Japanese people simply so willing to accept only what their mainstream authoritative sources tell them rather than think critically, divergently and conduct their own individual research? Are they unable to listen to the myriad of learned individuals, scientists and real experts who have repeatedly proven the total inefficacy of face masks?
There's no real alternative media in Japan to give a different perspective about masks. Even the publications like Agora which are willing to go there with the jabs don't mention all the studies and data showing masks are useless. So it's not just that the Japanese aren't willing to listen; they never get to hear other viewpoints to begin with.
Yeah, the lack of alternative sources of information is sad regarding perspectives on anything politically natured or divisive. I often hear my Japanese friends parroting the same mantra without any real knowledge/facts or research of what they are saying.
Make them laugh is my recommendation. I did this if it is of any use. Perhaps there is a way to do something similar in Japanese if the humour can't translate.
Next, we have to start up a compensation for people that have been damaged--physically, psychologically, and financially--by the facepants. These include schools who force their students to wear the facepants and those who do not let their employees to go facepantsless at their places of employment because they refuse to contribute to the dumbing down of society. This group includes me. I have taken a pay cut so I expect to be compensated. Not by the people of Japan but by the politicians and media from their paychecks. Taxes should not in any way cover these costs. The hokey pokey and facepants connoisseurs should. My finally thoughts: How dare my operating system tell me that facepants is not a real word! Just check with Kitamura, the Facepants Master himself. Enjoy the pay cut, Master Facepants!
Is there a possibility that you and I can chat. I write about vax compensation programs in the US and now working on a book about comp schemes from around the world. Love to speak with someone about Japan's system pre-COVID and today's program.
I have been living in Tokyo for 2 weeks now and I just feel so disheartened by all the people here who incessantly wear the masks. When alone in their car, when in restaurants, when walking down wide empty streets. Will Japan ever be able to relinquish mask mania, or is it here to stay indefinitely? Are the Japanese people so conditioned and so mentally scarred at this late stage that there is no going back? Every now and then I do see a glimmer of hope, one young person in a sea of hundreds on the trains who refuses to toe the line and give in to this admittedly pathetic societal pressure. Are Japanese people simply so willing to accept only what their mainstream authoritative sources tell them rather than think critically, divergently and conduct their own individual research? Are they unable to listen to the myriad of learned individuals, scientists and real experts who have repeatedly proven the total inefficacy of face masks?
Here are results of a recent survey asking 1003 Japanese for the reason they wear masks (https://www.itmedia.co.jp/business/articles/2210/27/news056.html)
76.8% Covid measure
48.9% Manners
42.1% Habit
38.7% Implicit peer-pressure
22.1% Flu measure
14.4% No need for shaving/makeup
13.8% More comfortable to mask
12.0% Following govt rules
10.2% Embarrassed to unmask
There's no real alternative media in Japan to give a different perspective about masks. Even the publications like Agora which are willing to go there with the jabs don't mention all the studies and data showing masks are useless. So it's not just that the Japanese aren't willing to listen; they never get to hear other viewpoints to begin with.
Yeah, the lack of alternative sources of information is sad regarding perspectives on anything politically natured or divisive. I often hear my Japanese friends parroting the same mantra without any real knowledge/facts or research of what they are saying.
Make them laugh is my recommendation. I did this if it is of any use. Perhaps there is a way to do something similar in Japanese if the humour can't translate.
https://alphaandomegacloud.wordpress.com/m-is-for-masks/
I was told specifically to not question and just do, it’s the rule.
Next, we have to start up a compensation for people that have been damaged--physically, psychologically, and financially--by the facepants. These include schools who force their students to wear the facepants and those who do not let their employees to go facepantsless at their places of employment because they refuse to contribute to the dumbing down of society. This group includes me. I have taken a pay cut so I expect to be compensated. Not by the people of Japan but by the politicians and media from their paychecks. Taxes should not in any way cover these costs. The hokey pokey and facepants connoisseurs should. My finally thoughts: How dare my operating system tell me that facepants is not a real word! Just check with Kitamura, the Facepants Master himself. Enjoy the pay cut, Master Facepants!
Is there a possibility that you and I can chat. I write about vax compensation programs in the US and now working on a book about comp schemes from around the world. Love to speak with someone about Japan's system pre-COVID and today's program.
Follow me on Twitter, and we'll be able to DM each other.
@waynerohde
I'm already following you. If you follow me, it'll enable DMs. https://twitter.com/MakingC19Waves