- Since Monday, July 20, wearing a mask is compulsory in all enclosed public places in France.
- On social networks, thousands of Internet users gather in Facebook groups to campaign against the wearing of masks, which they consider “useless” or even “dangerous”.
- Publications, petitions, calls for a boycott… the anti-mask movement is now gaining more and more importance in France.
They don't want to be “sheep”, those people “who behave both like sheep, following the general trend, and like ostriches, refusing to face certain obvious facts”. In recent weeks, thousands of Internet users have gathered on social networks to oppose the wearing of masks, and show their dissatisfaction. Since the announcement made on July 14 by President Macron to make it compulsory to wear a mask in closed public spaces to fight against the spread of Covid-19, many Internet users have been trying to organize the response, especially on Facebook.
"Regrouping against wearing a mask", "Compulsory anti mask", "Hang on, it's moving", "The mask is useless" ... The decision taken by the health authorities blew up the counters of certain Facebook groups which actively fight against this measure which they consider “liberticide” and “devoid of any foundation”. Despite its proven effectiveness and its use recommended by the Academy of Medicine, the obligation to wear a mask in certain places is still struggling to be accepted by some French people. According to a BVA poll carried out on July 17 for RTL and Orange, 15% are opposed to this measure, and even 22% among 18-34 year olds.
"Useless" for some, "dangerous" for others
Many of them believe that wearing a mask “is useless”. Like Mourad, creator and administrator of the “Mandatory Anti Mask” Facebook group which has more than 800 members. "I see no use in wearing a mask when we are not sick, and when we already impose social distancing," explains the young man, who created this page last May, when the mask has been made compulsory in public transport. “On the boxes of“ three-ply ”surgical masks, it is also written in black and white that they do not protect from Covid-19. We must therefore stop all this masquerade, ”he adds.
Like him, more and more of them are expressing their skepticism openly and publicly. Sharing press articles, humorous memes or even rants ... More than 200 publications were published this Wednesday, July 22 on the Facebook group "Anti mask mandatory". “I joined this group because I personally refuse to wear the mask for medical reasons. I can no longer leave my home, it is simply impossible for me to put it on, because I have chronic sinusitis and allergies, "says Sabrina, 42, who is campaigning for the health authorities" to put in place measures derogations for certain populations ”.
Others are resistant to wearing a mask because, according to them, it would be dangerous. Many posts published in recent days on the group "Regroupement contre le port du masque", which has nearly 8,000 subscribers, echo an infographic, distributed by Sott.net, a conspiratorial site, which explains that wearing a mask "would decrease the oxygen supply", "increase the inhalation of toxins" or "deteriorate the immune system". Assertions that are currently not based on any scientific argument ... Like the “anti-containment” groups that appeared during the quarantine, many of these “anti-mask” groups actually take up many conspiracy theories, which are then shared without any verification.
A new popular sling?
In France, the protesters are not yet pounding the pavement, but in addition to the numerous publications, a petition against the wearing of the mask is circulating, bringing together for the moment more than 6,000 signatories. Several calls to boycott stores and other brands have also been launched on social networks. “Let's stay united! Let's create our own networks, post protest messages on our masks, boycott stores forcing us to wear them, create “Drive without mask” services with our small shops ”, thus launched a user on the Facebook group“ Hang on , it's moving ”, which counts more than 5,000 subscribers.
From Monday we boycott all stores that force us to wear a mask?
Who agrees ?
"From Monday, we boycott all stores that force us to wear a mask? Who agrees ? », Also declared at the beginning of the week another Net surfer. "Our goal is to mobilize as many people as possible," confirms Mourad, who now specifies "no longer going to restaurants or breweries for the time that this measure will last". "We hope to mobilize a lot of people, French people, tourists on vacation in our country," also adds Angélique, moderator on another Facebook group.
The anti-mask movement therefore seems to be gaining more and more importance in France. A phenomenon that comes straight from the United States, and Quebec where the “anti-mask” protest is in full swing. Facebook has just announced the removal of the group "Unmasking America", whose members intended to publicize the truth about wearing a mask to fight against the coronavirus. The platform explained that the page, which has nearly 9,000 subscribers, violated the regulations regarding the spread of "fake news" on Covid-19. The social network has also indicated that it is studying possible measures against other similar groups.
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