Lots of Japanese wear them, but my Japanese friends insisted it wasn't because they feared catching diseases, but to prevent spreading whatever they had to others. In Vietnam, many motorists wear them because of the pollution, but many more are wearing them now because of the coronavirus, especially in a place like Lao Cai, which is right next to China.
There's a lot of smuggling in this area. The traffic back and forth can't be effectively controlled, but I talked to a soldier yesterday who insisted no Chinese are slipping across the narrow river.
"If the epidemic gets really bad, many might want to escape over here," I said.
but my Japanese friends insisted it wasn't because they feared catching diseases, but to prevent spreading whatever they had to others
I'm not sure I believe your Japanese friends.
Most Asian tourists visit large European cities, where there's a lot of dust/grit in the air -- what the Germans call Feinstaub -- in some places like Rome (and Paris) there is no doubt more of it due to all the scooters (in addition to cars) -- just the normal friction of rubber tires with the roadway causes a lot of Feinstaub -- I assumed the masks were partly to protect against Feinstaub.
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I've seen many Asian (Chinese?) tourists in Europe wearing masks -- it has been a common sight for years.
Hi eahilf,
Lots of Japanese wear them, but my Japanese friends insisted it wasn't because they feared catching diseases, but to prevent spreading whatever they had to others. In Vietnam, many motorists wear them because of the pollution, but many more are wearing them now because of the coronavirus, especially in a place like Lao Cai, which is right next to China.
There's a lot of smuggling in this area. The traffic back and forth can't be effectively controlled, but I talked to a soldier yesterday who insisted no Chinese are slipping across the narrow river.
"If the epidemic gets really bad, many might want to escape over here," I said.
He didn't answer me.
Linh
but my Japanese friends insisted it wasn't because they feared catching diseases, but to prevent spreading whatever they had to others
I'm not sure I believe your Japanese friends.
Most Asian tourists visit large European cities, where there's a lot of dust/grit in the air -- what the Germans call Feinstaub -- in some places like Rome (and Paris) there is no doubt more of it due to all the scooters (in addition to cars) -- just the normal friction of rubber tires with the roadway causes a lot of Feinstaub -- I assumed the masks were partly to protect against Feinstaub.
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