Unreliable Guide

Jean Paul gets it.

The Unreliable Guide To... Face Masks

Words Nat Shepherd Photo Carole Maskin

There has been a lot of controversy about the wearing of masks. I do understand, but if you think masks are uncomfortable, imagine being on a ventilator for three weeks. While public health experts, such as the World Health Organisation, can prove that masks help slow the spread of COVID-19, some people seem to see this as an attack on their civil liberties.

In the USA in May, an employee of the Michigan Family Dollar Store was shot dead for asking a customer to ensure her daughter complied with a statewide executive order and wear a mask before entering the store. In Australia, many doctors, such as Dr Norman Swan from the ABC’s excellent Coronacast, have been telling us for months that we should all be wearing masks whenever we are in a confined indoor situation. It’s good advice, but how many people have you seen wearing a mask today?

At the time of my writing - and I hope it’s changed by the time of publication - masks are a rarity in Sydney. Anyone wearing one is subject to suspicious glances and scrutiny, but never fear, The Unreliable Guide is here to show you how to wear your mask with pride.

Conspiracy Theories

Here’s the best theory about COVID-19: it is here, it does exist and no one planned it (unless you believe Mother Nature is sick of human beings polluting her planet and wants to get rid of us). 5G? That’ll just help your phone work better. At this moment it is pointless trying to find a reason why COVID-19 is here; we should focus instead on not catching it.

Keep socially distant when you can and wear a mask so you don’t go spreading it around. Masks are not the government’s way of turning us into identikit zombies; masks are symbols of rebels like V for Vendetta, Anonymous, Zoro and the Lone Ranger. Oh, and if/when there’s finally an immunisation available, go and get it. No one is organised enough to try and track you with a microchip, and your life is not that fascinating anyway. This is not a science fiction movie, even if it feels like one. Use some common sense and don’t fret about rubbish when there’s plenty of real stuff to be getting on with.

Protests in the US

American protesters against the mandatory wearing of face masks in public have come up with the argument, “My body, my choice,” which kind of misses the point. Your mask won’t really keep you safe; your mask keeps me safe and my mask keeps you safe. We are working together to ensure each other’s health. When someone refuses to wear a mask they are not disregarding their health, they are disregarding yours.

This notion of individual discomfort to ensure community health could be why the public health order has been termed ‘communist’ by some. Americans value the protection of individual liberties above all else, take this quote from Max Parsell, a 29 year-old powerline worker in Jacksonville: “Making individual decisions is the American way.” America is the richest nation on earth, but the fact they currently have more infections and deaths than any other country suggests a new American way should be found, and quickly.

Finally, The Unreliable Guide thinks we need to reassess our attitude to this new plague that is proving to be nothing at all like a simple flu, but a far more pernicious and long-lasting affliction. If we are going to survive this we are going to need to work together, so next time you see someone wearing a mask give them the thumbs up, because they are doing it for you. You won’t be able to smile, obviously, because you’ll be wearing a mask too.

Randwick News

The changing nature of the pandemic has given us the opportunity to explore different ways to provide the events you enjoy in ways that will help you to feel safe. This year, instead of holding our Eco Living Expo at the Randwick Environment Park, where it is typically attended by several thousand people over the course of a day, we’ll instead hold a series of talks and workshops online over a three day weekend. Eco Living Online will be held from Friday 18 September to Sunday 20 September. Over the course of the weekend you will be able to participate in a number of Zoom and livestreamed events that focus on popular sustainability topics such as energy, gardening and waste. If you’re keen to create a purposeful wardrobe, repair household items, find out more about permaculture, pick up some great ideas for healthy snacks you can serve during family movie night, get into bike riding in your neighbourhood, listen to some climate talks or know how to save energy (and money), be sure to register for one of our workshops. Dr Karl, Craig Reucassel and sustainable fashion expert Clare Press will host hour-long talks and Q&A live stream sessions. There will also be a live reptile show, kids craft sessions, storytimes and a magic show for kids included in the digital schedule. We’ve partnered with the Ritz Cinema to host a screening of the feel-good documentary The Biggest Little Farm, followed by a Q&A at 6pm on Friday 18 September. To register for the film screening, talks or workshops, head to our website.

Councillor Danny Said

Mayor of Randwick

1300 722 542 randwick.nsw.gov.au

What’s On

EVERY FRIDAY GARDENING ON THE WILDSIDE

1.30pm, Online Zoom event

1 SEPTEMBER WRITING FOR PLEASURE: A CREATIVE WRITING GROUP FOR BEGINNERS

2pm, Online Zoom event

8 SEPTEMBER WYLIE’S BATHS BUSHCARE

9.30am, Meet at BBQ area opposite Wylie’s Baths

20 SEPTEMBER KADOO FIRST CONTACT TOUR: BUSHWALK AND CULTURAL

TOUR 11am, Guriwal La Perouse Headland and Museum. $20 per person, bookings essential

UNTIL 20 SEPTEMBER EMERGENCE AND BEYOND – EXHIBITION BY RANDWICK ART SOCIETY

Lionel Bowen Library 669-673 Anzac Parade, Maroubra

UNTIL 15 OCTOBER BEACH COUTURE:

A HAUTE MESS La Perouse Museum, 1542 Anzac Parade, La Perouse

UNTIL 29 NOVEMBER HAPPY VALLEY: LA PEROUSE IN THE DEPRESSION

La Perouse Museum, 1542 Anzac Parade, La Perouse