Since March of 2020, everything deemed a societal norm changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Handshaking became a greeting of the past, replaced with a touch of the elbows. Hugging and showing physical affection was no longer socially acceptable. One of the largest differences, however, was the inclusion of masks into everyday society.
For the safety of oneself and others, every person is encouraged to wear a mask. Most stores’ policies now include a mandate to deny people from entering if they refuse to wear a mask for the safety of the customers and the employees.
In the beginning of all of these changes, wearing a mask was a weird concept, but it has now become a part of daily life. When leaving the house, it has become a habit to pick up a mask and always carry it with oneself. In the common American household, one can find masks hanging or sitting at random.
This photo story aims to depict the normality of mask culture. Doing everyday activities with a mask on has become the new norm, which is presented within the simplicity of the photographs. In the post-vaccine future, it is unknown whether mask culture will be a continued effort. What is confirmed, however, is the severity of the current COVID-19 situation and the absolute necessity for all of humanity to continue wearing masks.
Jeff Nobert, parent of Oak Park High School junior Justice Nobert, comes home from a grueling day of work to his home in Newbury Park. He forgets to remove his mask when he enters the home to finish up his work.
Junior Pam Wagner lays out her outfit for the next morning before retiring to her bed for the evening. Her distance learning outfit for the next day comprises pajamas, and a mask for when she leaves the house.
Junior Justice Nobert and sophomore Kyra Kotsur practice social distancing as they hang out. The two continue to stand six feet apart when instructed to walk indoors due to nightfall. They both insist on keeping their masks on for the safety of themselves and others.
Devjit Bedi, family member of Oak Park High School junior Benti Kaur, visits his aunt and uncle's home in Moorpark. He sits to finish up some work before heading home after a long day of work. He keeps his mask on for the safety of his family.
Masks sit on junior Benti Kaur's mirror in her home in Moorpark. She leaves them there for easy accessibility before she leaves the house.
Jeff Nobert pulls into the driveway after a long day of work with a mask on. Since he is so preoccupied with the chaotic world around him he has forgotten to take his mask off in the car. The action of wearing a mask has become a new normal for him and a difficult habit to break.
Before heading home for the evening, Devjit Bedi, family member of Oak Park High School junior Benti Kaur, checks his messages on his phone. His mask remains on for the safety of his family members.
Masks can be found around all of junior Pam Wagner's home. Captured here is Wagner’s dog eating her dinner for the evening, accompanied by a used medical mask.
In Pam Wagner's backyard, the dog sits propped up in a lawn chair accompanied by a mask. Since masks have become such a crucial part of the modern world they are seen littered across common areas.
Five-year-old Ekas Singh, family member of Benti Kaur, smiles excitedly before taking home a pumpkin from his visit to the local pumpkin patch. Singh is seen quickly lowering his mask to capture his smile in the photo.
Devjit Bedi, family member of Benti Kaur, quickly removes his mask for a breathing break. He is seen filling out his ballot for the 2020 presidential election.
A mask hangs from Rasjot Singh, Oak Park High School Alumni’s laptop. He just arrived home in time to remove his mask and join his meeting.
Simran Khinda, Harshobit Khinda, Gracey Singh, Mehima Pruthi, Jasmeet Kaur, and Covi Singh, volunteers and friends of Benti Kaur, gather around to take a break. They had just finished serving 750+ families at the Khalsa Food Pantry in Pacoima. They keep their masks on as per the mandated rule of the Pantry.
Junior Benti Kaur and her family went out to see a movie in an empty theatre. Even though some theatres have opened up, people are still hesitant to attend. Masks were required to be worn throughout the film.
Vibhav Pathak, father of Oak Park High Junior Nirvani Pathak, sits masked in his office at work. Pathak works through every day, the same as the last, protecting those in his office by wearing a mask.