Unmasking Bias and Truth on Social Media

It’s been a while since I’ve been on here. There’s been a lot going on, with exciting changes and new starts. I adjusted to a new full-time job and started freelancing. And in case you haven’t heard, there’s been a pandemic, racial injustices, and more. Despite all this, I still couldn’t believe it when the date stamp said November on my last post. #oops

And while I generally try to stay out of debates, I felt like a humid Friday was a good time for a hot take.

I’m amazed at how many people are intentionally shutting down the opinions of healthcare workers in regards to COVID-19, especially when it comes to wearing masks. Look, I don’t claim wearing masks as a great passion in my life. But if there’s any chance at all, even 30%, of keeping someone else healthy and safe? I’m going to take that chance and wear a mask proudly. It’s not a political statement, and it’s not a lack of faith – it’s just the right thing to do.

It’s become a battle of the wills and the battle to be right. There are studies being flung into comment sections left and right, and it’s hard to keep up. But when healthcare workers step in with their own first-hand perspectives? A surprising number of people automatically shut it down.

No – it’s not in a published study, so you must be wrong.

And if your thinking doesn’t fit with mine, it can’t be right.

Personally, I’d rather hear from someone who works on the frontlines. They are the ones who are working day in and day out to care for those who are battling the coronavirus and other health conditions. You know who’s not?

The media.

That old acquaintance who insists his personal rights are being violated by wearing a mask.

Me.

I don’t feel comfortable giving an authoritative mandate because I don’t have the personal experience, training, and knowledge to do so. And it amazes me that some people think they do just because they read studies on the internet and watch the news (which, if you haven’t figured out yet, can be just as misleading – if not more so).

The good news is there’s a simple remedy: humility. You don’t always have to be right. You don’t have to be the expert on things you’re not trained in. That would be absolutely exhausting – and dangerous.

If we are called to walk humbly, this is a great opportunity to do so. It may even be a relief to lay down the burden of always having to be right – and pick up the call to love and listen instead.