The occasional newsletter of Don Sakers & the Scattered Worlds
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Friday 10 Apr 2020 Newly published: Upcoming deals: Upcoming appearances: Highlights: I've seen much discussion of wearing masks while out in public. Here I'm not talking about medical-grade masks for health care workers or others who need them, but simple fabric masks for the general public. Biologically, the benefits of masks are questionable. They may help reduce exposure (in both direftions) by some amount—but the difference between passing ten billion virus partices with a cough and passing only two billion mightnnot matter as much as we think. That doesn't matter; the biological effectiveness of masks is secondaary to their social functions. As I see it, masks serve two valuable social functions. First, wearing a mask is a signal to other people. It says "I am a responsible, caring person making a special effort to preserve the safety of others." It signals that I'm a participating member of our society." Second, the act of wearing a mask is a way to exert some control in a world where we feel helpless. Granted, it's a tiny bit of control. maybe even illusory. Nevertheless, any sense of control helps to lessen stress. (Those who can make masks, like my husband does, get an even bigger sense of control.) For those two reasons alone, wearing masks when goinbg out is a good thing to do. Projects:
 ABOVE: A portrait of the author wearing the height of pandemic fashion (mask made by Thomas G. Atkinson). Currently reading: Articles: Recommended (book): Recommended (TV/movie): Recommended (other): Spotlight: Balticon, Maryland's regional sf convention over the Memorial Day weekend, has been canceled. The organizers will be holding a virtual Balticon, free to everyone. Don will be one of the participants. Plans are still coming together; keep checking the Balticon website for more details. |