Talk about male ego: More US men than women refuse to wear face masks in pandemic

The next time Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to encourage Californians to wear face masks to fight COVID-19, he should step out of the picture and introduce Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson sporting a big, black, macho mask.

That’s because new research finds that men have a particularly difficult time putting on face masks during the coronavirus pandemic.

That is a significant problem because California in past weeks has experienced a sharply rising number of COVID-19 cases and deaths — trends also reflected in the central San Joaquin Valley.

Why do more men than women refuse to don a face mask? According to the study, it goes to the heart of masculine pride: Men think wearing a mask is a sign of weakness and shame, and is definitely “not cool.”

So, how to best overcome that? The same way Californians did more than a century ago when the Spanish flu was raging and men showed similar stubbornness about donning masks. Public health leaders in that day realized they could appeal to the male sense of discipline, patriotism and personal responsibility.

In short, public health officials put wearing masks into terms that were popular in the era of World War I.

That’s why one of Hollywood’s leading men — The Rock — would be a great role model for mask wearing today. No offense to Gov. Newsom, but here in the Valley, the sight of a San Francisco politician turned governor speaking from behind a mask is not a great look. But The Rock? Now that is someone everybody can look up to.

Everyone has a part

Earlier this month Fresno County’s interim health officer, Dr. Rais Vohra, sounded an alarm about the rising cornavirus caseload. “This is a very precarious time in the history of our society and in the history of our county, where we really need everyone to be very mindful of how to keep themselves and their families safe.

“Everyone has a role to play to try to help us flatten the curve.”

Keeping one’s family safe — now, that is messaging that should appeal to a man.

But getting such a point across is going to be challenging. The study found that, from the start, men have seen the pandemic as less of a threat than women.

There are other key differences between the genders, according to the researchers from Germany and UC Berkeley:

▪ Men are more likely to think they won’t get infected. But actually, the opposite is occurring — more cases have involved men than women.

▪ Women are more likely to wear masks and practice good hygiene, and they see COVID-19 as a more serious problem than men. Such practice dates back to the outbreaks of the SARS and H1N1 viruses, too.

Cut the excuses

“They are too hot.” “They are uncomfortable.” “They mess with my personal freedom.”

Those have been common reasons for not wearing masks. But here’s two reasons to do so: Nearly 3,500 cases and 67 deaths in Fresno County, as of Monday.

Public health experts agree: Wearing face masks is the best way to limit the spread of droplets from mouth and nose areas that carry the microscopic coronavirus.

No less of a macho man than former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger put resisting masks in blunt terms: “Anyone making it a political issue is an absolute moron who can’t read,” he tweeted.

Guys, don’t end up being girlie men. If you get the virus, you are easily out of the action for two weeks. Put on the mask so California can reduce the spread and, eventually, beat this virus. It is the manly thing to do.