Will Face Mask Really be Incorporated as Students' Fashion Trends?

By Aworinde Blessing

The evolution of face masks and how it has actually become a fashion trend has proved how life can change in the blink of an eye. It also shows how man adapts to change. Even though the face masks were seen to be a symbol of fear and insecurity, it has become a way people express themselves and has also provided an opportunity for the fashion industry as it has been recommended for all in order to curb the spread of Covid-19. Now that the country moves towards reopening and people are trying to get back to their normal lives, the Center for Disease Control has encouraged people to use the face mask to protect themselves. Face masks have now become a necessity, people are trying to keep safe at the same time with been fashionable by incorporating face masks with their outfits.

Recently, some state governments have allowed the reopening of worship centers and it is considered very important to make use of the face mask. Meetings are now allowed to hold only if there is strict adherence to wearing the face mask. The world has no single idea of what the future holds as no permanent solution has been found for the cure of the novel virus, so there is no doubt that masks are here to stay.

Even though governments have not given a precise date for the resumption of schools, it has given guidelines that students have to follow and among them is wearing face masks. Now that wearing of face masks have been made a necessity, students will also have to incorporate it into their fashion trends by wearing fashionable masks.

Many politicians, government officials, and entertainers are adopting the use of more stylish masks with different styles. Gone are the bland white and blue masks, people now wear face masks that match with their outfits. Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, many Nigerian celebrities turned up at the AMVCA wearing glittery jeweled face masks. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has been seen wearing varieties of designed masks to her news conference. Also, the Defense Minister Taro Kono appeared in a meeting wearing a designed mask. 

It has been made a compulsion to wear a face mask so it is only natural for students to incorporate the use of fashionable masks into their fashion trends. Especially if the government has to decide on reopening the schools. Even though it hasn't been proven that the wearing of face mask guarantees complete protection it is deemed necessary to wear it in public areas. Even though there may not be strict adherence to social distancing especially in large schools like Obafemi Awolowo University where there are a large number of students the only possible way to guarantee safe interaction is through wearing the face mask.

The president of the University of Arizona Robert Robbins said he will highly encourage mask-wearing at the university in order to protect both the students and teachers from the infection. Even if they have been controversies over the use of masks as parents believe that it may lead to choking or affect the way they breathe. it has been decided that schools, where social distancing can be maintained, may not have to make use of face masks. However, it is important to wear it in large populated schools where the shaking of hands and friendly hugs has become a normal form of greeting.

Also, the mask will give an opportunity to students to shows their creativity in terms of fashion. Obafemi Awolowo University has its own designed mask. In Canada, university students launched a stylish Canadian-made face mask company. Students have the habits of making something horrific look appealing so they can also do the same by incorporating fashion face masks into their trends.

Since designed masks are the current trends in fashion and there is an increased number of people using it as they try to go back to their normal daily routine. It is only natural for students to incorporate the face mask into their fashion trends if they eventually have to return to school.