Some men don't like to to wear masks. Rather than politicizing that issue, maybe it's worth considering why.
Traditionally, how have boys been raised in this society? From an early age, we learned it was manly to be strong, to never cry, to stand our ground, to compete and win.
Essentially, we learned how to be macho and at all costs, to not seem weak.
I remember my father explaining to me what to do when I encountered bullies at school. He predicted that they would pick fights with me.
"Go ahead and take a punch to the nose," he told me. "We Weirs get nosebleeds easily. I'll show you how to flip a guy over, get on top of him and bleed all over him.
"No one will want to fight you again after that."
My father was a good man and he was looking out for my welfare, giving me his best advice. Also, it worked.
These days, except in the toughest of places, bullying and fighting are said to be in decline.
But boys still want to grow into men, to earn respect, and to be winners. These drives can take various forms, including rebelliousness and yearning to remain independent of authority.
Not wearing a mask may be one way a man can make a statement. Not necessarily a political statement, but more like: "I'm my own man."
Of course there are many ways to be a man...My grandsons are being raised in a much different -- and more nuanced -- manner than I was.
There are nuances in the news as well...
* Coronavirus Safety Runs Into a Stubborn Barrier: Masculinity -- When political leaders suggest basic precautions appear unmanly, men are less likely to follow health and safety advice, experts say. (NYT)
* From "The Luckiest Man: Life With John McCain" by long-time aide Mark Salter, a 1993 scene in which Donald Trump, then a failing casino owner, unsuccessfully lobbies McCain outside the Senate: "Trump waited to buttonhole him. McCain walked briskly past the casino owner, pretending not to notice as Trump tried to get his attention. Frustrated, Trump shouted after him, 'I gave money to your campaign.' Looking over his shoulder, McCain yelled back, 'Oh yeah? See what that will get you.'" (Axios)
* ‘I Feel Like I Have Dementia’: Brain Fog Plagues Covid Survivors -- The condition is affecting thousands of patients, impeding their ability to work and function in daily life. (NYT)
* Courts aren’t meant to ‘right every wrong,’ Barrett says in opening (WashPo)
* Europe’s second wave of coronavirus infections has struck well before flu season started, with intensive care wards filling up again and bars shutting down. Making matters worse, authorities say, is a widespread case of “COVID-fatigue.” [AP]
* Trump signed two bills into law that will finally do something about a terrifying and largely invisible crisis: Hundreds of Indigenous women are disappearing or being murdered. [HuffPost]
* Mars is getting big and bright the coming week, as the sun, Earth and Mars line up close to a new moon on the night of Oct. 13. The event that happens about every two years is called "opposition" in astronomy terms: the sun and Mars on opposite sides of Earth. From the earthling's perspective, according to NASA, Mars rises in the east just as the sun sets in the west, and would stay up in the sky the whole night, setting in the west just as the sun rises. (NPR)
***
A theme song from Trump rallies:
I gotta be a macho man
Macho, macho man
I gotta be a macho
I gotta be a macho man
Macho, macho man (yeah, yeah)
I gotta be a macho
-30-
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