The situation with COVID has changed time by time from this February till now, hugely affecting our personal and social life.
During this period, I wondered one thing. “What is “mask” all about?”
It has been said that Japanese people are great lover of “masks”. Not only in the autumn and the winter when flu spread every year, but also in the spring when many people suffer from hay fever. In the over-packed commuter trains and in the dried up airplanes, we could also notice a lot of people wearing masks. Long before COVID situation occurred.
We hear that those who wear masks in other countries are really hospitalized patients, so I presume such behavior by Japanese people – who regularly and spontaneously wears masks in the town – has looked quite odd to non-Japanese people. Japanese people like to wear mask “to protect themselves”. Of course, we wear mask when we get flu, cough and sneeze as a way not to transmit diseases to others. But when healthy people wear mask, it is in order to avoid being affected by something unknown from other people.
It may have been a subconscious behavior to secure distance from others in the urban society where we cannot help contacting with others closely and densely”
As soon as COVID crisis occurred, masks ran out in Japan. Most of masks in Japan had been supplied by China, and China suffered from COVID first. They could not supply mask to Japan untill March. Previous prime minister Abe, who left the position in September – right after he established the record as the longest prime minister in Japanese governmental history – made a lot of mistakes in COVID measures, and the biggest one was what was called “Abeno Mask”. The mistake consisted in supplying 2 masks to each household – not to each individual – and the masks were made of gauze, not disposable but washable, to be reused many times. He wore one of those masks himself. It was oddly small, barely covering his nose and mouth, but not chin. He utilized several million yen from the budget to realize this plan that, however, did not last for a long time. When Abeno Masks were finally delivered, masks had already been supplied in the market.
Due to the COVID situation, masks seem to have overwhelmingly mushroomed all over the world, covering everybody’s mouth. At least, in Tokyo, it became a tool without which we cannot spend ordinary life. When we forget to wear it and go out, we will be pointed out and be scolded, and will not be allowed to enter into shops, restaurants, and of course, theaters. At the moment, in October, Japanese theaters are mostly allowed to sell tickets for full capacty, upon the condition that all audience wear masks and will not yell, cry, call ”Bravo” “Encore” and so on. It is acknowledged audience members will not transmit the virus to each other if only they all wear masks.
Mask became the strongest tool not to transmit and not to be transmitted. But it is rather weird to see patrons – refraining themselves from the joy of talking each other in the auditorium or in the foyer – further inhibit themselves avoiding to express the joy, while quietly watches the stage. An auditorium populated by an all masked audience will be a reality, until the vaccine will be found. But what about after the vaccine? Can we say this style would not become a ‘new normal’- standard and we would return to the old ways?
This summer, I produced a small theatre production. Small budget, but with 43 cast members. So, we found it rather difficult to secure social distance in the theater rehearsal studio and dressing rooms. (We decided to go ahead with this production suddenly. therefore, we gathered staffs on a rather short notice. The costume company we engaged accepted our order with pleasure, saying that it had been a while since they last worked for theater. While they had no work, they organized in order to make masks that actors, singers and dancers could wear during the rehearsal and breath comfortably. “But we are happier to make costumes rather than make masks, no matter how small is the budget.” they said. During the production, there was a scene in which villagers gather meaninglessly. They wear “Abeno Mask”, and of course two of those masks were from my house…)
When theaters reopened, the number of the infected in Tokyo had rapidly increased. Each time an infected person was identified in the company, the show would need to be immediately cancelled, making it difficult to reopen.
In the theater, the transmission among patrons could be mostly avoided when all wear masks. Infection between performer and audience could be avoided by securing sufficient distance between the stage and the seats, and by separating them with transparent sheets or acrylic board if necessary.
The main problem remain the infection among performers. It is a global controversy whether performers should wear masks or face shields during the performance, and if the artistic expression would be possible while securing social distance.
That may be possible in solo performance, drama recitals,etc. Yet, in the majority of physical expressions, it is almost impossible to secure social distance while achieving artistic quality. The director is not be able to conduct sufficient rehearsal with actors wearing masks.
Notwithstanding with this – in order to secure the performance under the Corona emergency, prescriptive regulations – say for example: “when 2 people wearing masks, distance themselves by 2 meters and talk for less than 15 minutes and still become infected, people around them will not regarded as close contact person” – have been gradually implemented in public health centers and productions.
Consequently, musical and dance rehearsals are conducted with performers all wearing masks. Direction and choreography need to be conscious of their breathing well with masks. Obviously, while this this allows to secure the performance as well as to nullify staffs and casts efforts, it is also clear that performers wearing masks – with their expression hardly visible – would not be able to communicate their creativity in the same way.
The director of my summer production – who is our theater artistic director – told to performers: ”Actors will be on stage together without mask, spitting and scattering sweat to each other. This is something only a group sharing a common destiny could do. So, if you are not ready to be in such group, maybe it is better not to take part in the show this time.”. He then left the decision to each actor.
“A group sharing common destiny” would typically be a “family”. Most people probably do not wear mask at home. Even if each family member could be infect going outside and return home. (in fact, it seems, in Japan, most of the group infections take place at home or while dining together.)
It might be a time for us to ask ourselves who would be the people we choose to be together without wearing a mask. In other words, who we would accept in a group that shares a common destiny.
Securing social distance will harm direct physical contact which leads to harm our activity of making new lives. We have to take off masks to eat, to drink and to kiss a real kiss.
Taking off mask seems to be a test to risk a life in order to live a real life.