Why resist?: opposition to mask-wearing during the Covid-19 pandemic in Greece

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the factors that might have affected the implementation of the mask-wearing measure in Greek society from March 2020 to November 2021. To do so, this study utilizes a critical review of dominant characteristics of modern Greek society followed by a systematic review of the most recent literature on mask-wearing attitudes. The data in this study is derived from official Greek governmental announcements regarding the mask-wearing measure during the pandemic and the depiction of attitudes towards mask-wearing through Greek digital media, including digital newspapers, informative magazines and websites, and digital news sites. The article argues that the main preventive factors relate to distrust towards authority, including specific identified barriers according to relevant literature. More importantly, this study reinforces the significance of the adequate appreciation of the historical, cultural and social context within which political measures are implemented regardless of their global scale and universal necessity.

KEYWORDS:

• Mask wearing
• covid-19
• Greece
• trust

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. The first independent Greek state was formed in 1827. This means that, compared with most Northern European states, Greece is a relatively young state.

2. The term “underdog’ might be perceived in various ways one of which may be the reference to ‘deprived groups’ in all social, political, economic levels (further analysis follows).

3. The main historical episodes in Greece during the 20th century are the following: 1914–1918: 1st

World War; 1940–1944: 2nd World War (German occupation); 1946–1949: civil war; 1950s and 1960s:

massive migration waves; 1967–1964: military junta; 1974: restoration of Greek democracy.