The Face Mask In COVID Times: A Sociomaterial Analysis, Deborah Lupton, Clare Southerton, Marianne Clark, Ash Watson

–About this book

The simple fabric face mask is a key agent in the fight against the global spread of COVID-19. However, beyond its role as a protective covering against coronavirus infection, the face mask is the bearer of powerful symbolic and political power and arouses intense emotions. Adopting an international perspective informed by social theory, The Face Mask in COVID Times: A Sociomaterial Analysis offers an intriguing and original investigation of the social, cultural and historical dimensions of face-masking as a practice in the age of COVID.
Rather than Beck’s ‘risk society’, we are now living in a ‘COVID society’, the long-term effects of which have yet to be experienced or imagined. Everything has changed. The COVID crisis has generated novel forms of sociality and new ways of living and moving through space and time. In this new world, the face mask has become a significant object, positioned as one of the key ways people can protect themselves and others from infection with the coronavirus. The face mask is rich with symbolic meaning as well as practical value. In the words of theorist Jane Bennett, the face mask has acquired a new ‘thing-power’ as it is coming together with human bodies in these times of uncertainty, illness and death.
The role of the face mask in COVID times has been the subject of debate and dissension, arousing strong feelings. The historical and cultural contexts in which face masks against COVID contagion are worn (or not worn) are important to consider. In some countries, such as Japan and other East Asian nations, face mask wearing has a long tradition. Full or partial facial coverings, such as veiling, is common practice in regions such as the Middle East. In many other countries, including most countries in the Global North, most people, beyond health care workers, have little or no experience of face masks. They have had to learn how to make sense of face masking as a protective practice and how to incorporate face masks into their everyday practices and routines.
Face masking practices have become highly political. The USA has witnessed protests against face mask wearing that rest on ‘sovereign individualism’, a notion which is highly specific to the contemporary political climate in that country. Face masks have also been worn to make political statements: bearing anti-racist statements, for example, but also Trump campaign support. Meanwhile, celebrities and influencers have sought to advocate for face mask wearing as part of their branding, while art makers, museums, designers and novelty fashion manufacturers have identified the opportunity to profit from this sudden new market. Face masks have become a fashion item as well as a medical device: both a way of signifying the wearer’s individuality and beliefs and their ethical stance in relation to the need to protect their own and others’ health.
The Face Mask in COVID Times: A Sociomaterial Analysis provides a short and accessible analysis of the sociomaterial dimensions of the face mask in the age of COVID-19. The book presents seven short chapters and an epilogue. We bring together sociomaterial theoretical perspectives with compelling examples from public health advice and campaigns, anti-mask activism as well as popular culture (news reports, blog posts, videos, online shopping sites, art works) to illustrate our theoretical points, and use Images to support our analysis.

-Contents

List of Illustrations

Preface

Deborah

Ash

Clare

Marianne

1 Introduction: The Shifting Meanings and Practices of Face Masks

Introduction

Sociomaterialism: theoretical perspectives and concepts

The history of the face mask

Medical and public health advice on mass masking in COVID times

Rest of the book

2 Face Mask Politics

Introduction

Medical mask supply politics

Mask-wearing politics

Internet debates and memes

The politics of co-becoming with masks

Conclusion

3 Living with Face Masks

Introduction

COVID masks entering everyday worlds

Domesticating COVID masks

Embodiments of COVID mask use

Conclusion

4 Face Masks and Breath

Introduction

Contemporary understandings of human breath

Breath in the context of COVID

New vocabularies and materialities of breath

‘I Can’t Breathe’: the politics of breath

Conclusion

5 Face Mask Making Cultures

Introduction

Crafting cultures

The artisan mask

The home-made mask

The makeshift mask

The community drive mask

Conclusion

6 Face Masking and Care

Introduction

Philosophies of care

Face mask wearing as symbolic of care for others

Politicising mask wearing as an act of care

Implications for the care of nonhuman others

Conclusion

Epilogue: Masks Matter

-Caractéristiques

Date de parution:19 avril 2021

Éditeur ‏ : ‎ De Gruyter

Langue ‏ : ‎ Anglais

NB.de pages ‏ : ‎ 115 pages

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 3110723255

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-3110723250

Poids de l’article ‏ : ‎ 303 g

Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.6 x 0.79 x 23.39 cm