Why I Wear A Mask

Hello lovely reader,

My name is Emma (they/them). I am an abolitionist, COVID-cautious queer, non-binary, mixed race (Korean-English) cartoonist, illustrator, and zine maker. I am drawn to using art as a way to capture the challenges of navigating the trauma and violence of our world, while demonstrating how our everyday relational actions are sites for transformation and liberation. 

I made "Why I Wear A Mask" in a period of my life when I had just moved to a new city and was navigating the trials of finding new friends. As I clumsily attempted to befriend folks, I engaged in a myriad of conversations about why I wear a mask, trying to find the magic words to not scare someone off while also attempting to stand firmly in my knowledge that masking keeps us all safer. For those of us who mask, it has been incredibly disheartening seeing the extent of disinformation regarding COVID. 

Wanting to correct misinformation and shift the narrative around COVID, I began brainstorming this zine in the hopes that people would see masking differently. I called on trusted COVID cautious friends to share their powerful words and deep wisdom. As I worked on the zine, I started to notice threads of my own history and COVID cautious narrative take shape. All of the self-consciousness I had around asking people to mask started to fade as I crystalized my stance that masking is a radical act of love for oneself and others. That masking is a form of community care. 

Many folks question this stance and ask, "Why are we still talking about COVID?" I never know how to tell folks how dangerous COVID is, because how do you casually tell someone that COVID is a vascular immune destroying disease that can target every organ in the body? How do you communicate to someone the pain of watching loved ones become disabled over time? How do you tell someone "I don't want this to be you (or me), so please wear a mask with me?” 

When we look at this picture with clear eyes and a sober heart, we can see that protecting each other from COVID is one of the most material ways we can keep ourselves safe in a world that cares so little for our wellbeing. When we wear a high quality, well fitted respirator, we create a physical barrier between breathing in and out COVID. Isn't that amazing? That one small act can be the difference that allows someone to keep their body and health. 

That's what we mean when we say that masking is an act of community care and love. Masking is also an act of disability justice. Our disabled and chronically ill loved ones are already so excluded from the world, whether it be physically or socially. It is lonely being COVID cautious, and for disabled and chronically ill folks, doubly so. So, when we wear masks and host spaces that require masks, we open the world up just a little more. We make it safer for disabled folks to join in, and in doing so communicate that your life and health matters here, we will protect you.

We can’t forget that COVID more often than not harms our communities, from BIPOC folk, low income families, queer communities, and immigrant neighbors and relatives. We live with deep health inequities and disparities that leave our people so much more vulnerable. All the more reason why it is on us to keep each other safe.

As for me, when I see others wearing a mask, it signals not only that you care about my health and safety, but that you are operating with an updated understanding of the world. It shows me that you recognize that we crossed the threshold and left "back to normal" behind - that you see the danger amidst us whether it is by COVID or our surveillance state, and acknowledge it is worthwhile to adapt. 

So reader, please know I don't blame you if you weren't aware. I know the Biden administration stated that the pandemic is over and that the media has endorsed this messaging that COVID is no longer a serious threat. Since then, the ongoing Trump administration continues to deny the threats of COVID, especially under the influence of players like RFK Jr. I also know that wearing a mask can be challenging if you haven't been doing so these past several years. Fear of other's judgement is real. Adjusting to the sensory experience can be complex. And of course, figuring out how to ask others to join you, knowing it may activate their own feelings of discomfort will always feel nerve-wracking. 

But knowing that you are keeping yourself safe, your loved ones safe, and your community safe it is so worth it. I promise. 

In warm solidarity,

Emma Kim Rust

P.S. We're mailing out limited copies of my Why I Wear A Mask zine! I'd love for you to have one.

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About the author: Emma is a queer, non-binary, mixed race (Korean-English) cartoonist, illustrator, and zine maker. Through comics, they tell intimate personal stories featuring queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, people of color (QTBIPOC) that embody liberatory frameworks of abolition. Their work aims to capture the challenges of navigating the traumas of our world, while demonstrating how our everyday relational actions are sites for greater healing and transformation.

We feature community voices about the issues that matter to Asians Americans, allies and the communities who share our aspirations. Have something you want to say? Reach out to comms@apano.org.

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