Face coverings and social distancing are two measures that have allowed for a limited reopening of society in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
But what do you do when you come across people who aren\u2019t wearing their masks (or aren\u2019t wearing them properly) or don\u2019t keep their distance?<\/p>\n
How do you confront them without getting punched in the face?<\/p>\n
\u201cThat’s the tricky part,\u201d says Coordinator of Health Promotion Marie Cascarano, who helps oversee the student-staffed Community Health Ambassador program<\/a>.<\/p>\n Community Health Ambassadors are empowered to enforce University policy and are trained to identify themselves when they approach somebody on campus about mask-wearing and social-distancing.<\/p>\n \u201cThe outside world is a whole other thing,\u201d says Cascarano.<\/p>\n In that case, she advises against confrontation and instead recommends controlling what you can \u2013 your own behavior.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you are in an establishment and see someone without a mask, I’m like Pac Man avoiding the ghost. I bolt the other way,\u201d Cascarano says. \u201cGo to management or, if it\u2019s a large chain, go online to report the behavior.\u201d If the behavior is continually lax and egregious, contact your local board of health.<\/p>\n Professor of Public Health Amanda Birnbaum explains that confrontation can backfire: \u201cWe have decades of evidence in health behavior research that knowledge alone is not enough to change behavior. So in the heat of the moment, it’s unlikely that explaining to someone why they should mask up or distance will be effective.\u201d<\/p>\n Instead, Birnbaum recommends considering when it’s important to approach someone.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you’re crossing paths with someone, especially outdoors, but even in a large classroom building hallway, that might not be a time when it’s important to give unsolicited advice about mask-wearing. On the other hand, if you’re in an indoor setting, or even an outdoor setting where you are going to be within six feet of someone for 10 minutes or more, that’s the time to mobilize.\u201d<\/p>\n Appeal to their empathy, says Professor of Public Health Stephanie Silvera.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you are with someone and they are not wearing a mask, particularly if you are indoors, you could appeal to their sense of community by asking them to wear a mask, or wear their mask properly, by noting that you are wearing one because you care about their health and you’d like them to do the same to protect you.\u201d<\/p>\n Silvera also advises that forewarned is fore-armed in a social setting: \u201cIf you are planning on having people over, whether inside or outside, it is helpful to let everyone know upfront, what your expectations are regarding mask wearing. Then your guests have the choice to come, or not.\u201d<\/p>\n Tone is important, too. \u201cWhat we know from health behavior research is that messages are most effective when they are respectful, empathetic and specific,\u201d says Birnbaum. \u201cSo instead of, \u2018hey buddy, mask up!\u2019 try something like, \u2018I know masks are awkward\u2019 or \u2018I\u2019m sweating in my own mask.\u2019 And then make a respectful request.\u201d<\/p>\n Cascarano agrees that \u201cpublic shaming or bullying clearly is not going to work and that could escalate the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs we’ve said to the students who are CHAs: don’t put yourself at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n Story by Staff Writer Mary Barr Mann<\/a><\/p>\n