Question

People all over the world are now taking action to fight against the novel coronavirus. But how they behave may depend on their own culture and traditions. Let's take a look.

When everyone in China is wearing masks to stop the novel coronavirus, many people in Western countries don't seem to want to do the same. For example, an Italian lawmaker was criticized (批评)by his coworkers when he went to work with a mask. They said he was "causing panic"(恐慌). But why do the East and West have different ideas about wearing masks? Let's take a look.

Western ideas about masks

In the West, people should wear masks only when they get sick—chronic allergies(慢性过敏) or infectious(传染的)diseases. People see masks as a tool to protect sick people and stop disease from spreading, so healthy people don't need to wear them. Therefore, during the novel coronavirus outbreak, people would be "treated as a virus spreader" if they go out with a mask. Some European and American people say wearing a mask outdoors makes them feel "worried", "shy", and "afraid of being looked at differently."

But as the number of COVID-19 cases is growing around the world, people in the West are changing their ideas. In the US, for example, many healthy people are starting to wear masks now to protect themselves.

Mask culture in the East

In Asian countries like China and Japan, wearing masks is common. In 1910, Chinese doctor Wu Liande invented the modern medical mask during the pneumonic plague(肺鼠疫). Since then, masks have been a symbol of China's position as a modern, scientific nation，according to Scottish medical anthropologist(人类学家)Christos Lynteris. During the 2003 SARS epidemic(传染病), people in China and East Asia also used masks to protect themselves.

In Japan, wearing masks shows your politeness when you get a cold or flu. Some Japanese also turn masks into fashion. They have different colors and patterns to choose to match their clothes. Some young women wear masks when they don't have their makeup on. Many pop stars in Asia also use masks to protect their privacy(隐私). This cultural and historical background has made it easier for people in the East to wear masks when epidemics break out.

1.What did the coworkers think of the Italian lawmaker?

A.He was too worried to work. B.He made other people nervous.

C.He was unwilling to go to work. D.He was just trying to protect himself.

2.From the story, what might people use masks to do in Japan?

a. Show politeness. b. Protect privacy. c. Look fashionable. d. Protect their makeup.

A.abc B.bcd C.acd D.abd

3.From the story, we know that________.

A.healthy people in the West will never wear masks

B.wearing masks is the only way to protect ourselves

C.masks can be used in many different ways

D.masks are not useful during a serious epidemic

Answer 1