Japanese and South Koreans are OVER masks, already

Three years into the pandemic, nearly everyone in Japan is wearing a mask most of the time in public, and in South Korea it is legally required indoors.

Now these two Asian champions of mask-wearing say it is time to move on. Officials in Tokyo and Seoul on Friday called for easing of mask protocols, overriding concerns from some who say the practice still saves lives and keeps away a variety of ailments.

It is a striking cultural divide with the U.S. and European nations, where most people long ago gave up their masks and the political debate was often driven by people who objected to face-covering.

…Still, some critics have raised concerns recently that permanent masking is unhealthy for society.

“Children have been deprived of freedom most,” said political scientist Lully Miura. She said that at her daughter’s elementary school, students have to wear masks all day including when singing in chorus. The exceptions are gym class and lunch, when she said the children have to eat silently.

“They are put in a position where they can’t enjoy life,” she said.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday called on government officials to prepare for easing guidance that currently recommends mask-wearing indoors. “We want to restore normalcy in Japan,” he said.