COVID-19 has taken over our lives, and masks play a key role in keeping our communities safe and healthy, as stipulated by the Centers for Disease Control. As face masks become a staple in our daily wardrobes, there are many options on the market for people to protect themselves and others while expressing individuality. At the beginning of quarantine, there wasn’t much variety, but as of recently you can buy masks almost anywhere you go to fit any occasion. 

When looking for masks, people should prioritize effectiveness, but this doesn’t mean that aesthetics and comfort need to be sacrificed. Masks have now become a political and social statement, rather than only a public health precaution. Researchers have proven that certain demographics such as women, college graduates and Democrats have a higher percentage of those saying they often or always wear a face mask. As much as clothes can say about a person, nowadays someone’s mask can also say a lot about them too. 

The blue disposable mask is synonymous with the pandemic. Pretty much everyone has a couple of them lying around in their car or home that may or may not have been used already. These masks are effective at blocking the majority of respiratory particles emitted from entering the air and protecting from COVID-19. This style of mask is one of the most popular, as they were some of the first masks sold at the beginning of quarantine. Although these masks are effective, the single-use nature makes them less environmentally friendly than other options. Additionally, there’s no opportunity to make a fashion statement when wearing them since it’s the equivalent to wearing the default option before outfit customization in a video game.

Reusable cloth masks are very popular. They are better for the environment, allow for individuality and are overall more cost-effective. Since lockdown, many people have started sewing their own masks to protect against COVID-19. Different mask shapes, adjustable ear loops or masks that tie behind the head can offer a better fit than the traditional surgical mask. Additionally, most people find them more comfortable for everyday use. Cloth masks come in all types of colors, patterns, and designs to complement any look.

Researchers have proven that 100 percent cotton masks are the most effective at preventing particles due to the structure of the fibers. Cloth masks with at least three layers are also proven to be more effective to block smaller particles. Filters provide additional protection from particle exhaustions but vented masks do the opposite as they allow air to escape. Lots of people have been having fun matching their mask to their fit by playing with color and design. 

Using a bandana as a face mask is proven to be less effective compared to the surgical and standard cloth mask. Although this style of mask is usually used as a last resort if you forgot a mask when out in public, it is less recommended since it doesn’t prevent droplet spray as effectively. Also a con of this style is it does make you appear like you have the intention of robbing a bank. 

Neck gaiters have gained popularity during the pandemic. They provide added comfort and breathability. However, they are proven to be less effective than other styles because they are made of synthetic materials that are proven to be less effective against droplet containment and are often only one layer thick. As of recently, neck gaiters have faced controversy over their effectiveness. Researchers have proven that gaiters made of synthetic fleece may actually spread droplets more intensely than not wearing a mask because the droplets are aerosolized. 

Anti-maskers have begun to express their dislike for mask mandates by wearing masks made of mesh or have holes in them. Although this would add breathability and comfort, it defeats the purpose of masks which are intended to prevent droplets from spreading. If you wear a mask with holes in it, there is a strong chance you might be called a “Karen.”

If you spend any time on social media platforms such as Youtube or TikTok, you have likely come across the trend of “Karen” videos. For those who are unfamiliar with Karen videos, they are videos of generally white, middle-aged women who are causing a big scene in public areas over what are often minor disturbances or inconveniences. This has become a viral trend on the internet, with some Karen compilation videos amassing millions of views. Youtube stars like Cody Ko have made Karen reaction videos that have also gained millions of views. The meaning of the term “Karen” has changed during the relatively brief time that it has been an Internet trend, however, so here are a few popular examples – that are also some of my personal favorites – to highlight the shifts in this comical online trend. 

This video of Susan Peirez, also known as some variation of “the airplane Karen,” from early 2018 is what introduced me to the Karen trend. Peirez, who was unhappy about sitting near a crying baby, was yelling and cursing at the mother of the child as well as a flight attendant. Not long before she was removed from the flight, Peirez told the flight attendant that “she may not have a job tomorrow.” Ironically, Peirez was the one without a job the next day. Her name and picture were removed from the New York State Council for the Arts website, which is where she previously worked. 

Threatening to get company employees fired has been a staple of the Karen moniker since the beginning, and videos like the one of Peirez have contributed to that. The phrase “I’d like to speak to your manager” has become the appointed motto of Karens for the same reason.

The next Karen video is titled Kidz Bop Karen, which signals a shift from Karens simply being rude to being a bit more unhinged. It is hard to fully explain what is going on because we do not get many details, but it sounds as though Karen – who I will refer to as such because her real name is not revealed unlike the last video – is upset at the passenger of a Lyft driver who almost hit her vehicle. She uses several expletives but claims that her children cannot hear her because they are listening to Kidz Bop, a group that edits and performs popular songs to make them kid-friendly. 

While it is hard to say whether this video was the catalyst for the shift in the original trend that made Karens seem more unstable and erratic, Kidz Bop Karen certainly contributed to it. She is seen throughout the video making strange faces at the camera and uses very exaggerated hand gestures. Behavior like this has been seen more recently in videos such as this, where the woman in question begins to dance like an inflatable tube man at a used-car sales lot. Because of videos like this, the term Karen has begun to mean more than just a rude and entitled middle-aged white woman. 

The evolution of the term Karen did not stop there, however. Calling someone by the name Karen can now be used to call out someone’s racist beliefs or actions. A popular example of this is Amy Cooper, also known as the Central Park Karen. The story goes that Christian Cooper, the man recording the video, was birdwatching and asked Amy Cooper to put her dog on a leash so it wouldn’t disturb the birds. Cooper, who is of no relation to the man recording, was not happy about this. This is all we know before the video starts, where Amy Cooper tells Christian that she is going to call the cops and “tell them there’s an African-American man threatening my life.”

Cooper trying to intimidate and threaten a black man by calling the police sparked outrage, especially due to the fact that this video went viral right around the same time as the murder of George Floyd. She was fired from her job and was charged with falsifying a report. Amy Cooper is not entirely alone, as many popular Karen videos, such as this one, show the women in question telling other people to “go back to their country.”

All of this has led to the term Karen evolving from a term used to make fun of rude, middle-aged white women to a term that is used as a stand-in for white entitlement and privilege. The term is continuing to grow in meaning as well. It is now used to target men, such as this article calling Donald Trump “The Karen in Chief,” which was the main problem I had previously had with the trend. There are plenty of men who act rude and entitled, so including them in the Karen trend is only fair.

Not only are many of these videos hilarious, but they have also shown that there are consequences for people who are rude, entitled and racist. If you are not familiar with Karen videos, I strongly suggest you watch some. You will not be disappointed.