Masks

"Science is the new religion."

I don't know where I saw that, but if here religion means superstition, then I can totally see it on TV.

When watching the news reporting near hospitals, the reporter always wear a mask. But while he is in Mongkok, he doesn't.


Why does he wear a mask outside a hospital? Are there dark clouds roaming above it, creeping death and disease over everyone who stands near this place? And why doesn't he wear a mask in Mongkok? Does he have assurance that the million people (quite literal) beside him are not sick? Not even having the common cold?

Besides, contrary to popular belief, masks don't prevent you from getting cold, influenza, etc...
It only reduces the chance of the mask wearer transmitting his/her sickness to other people. A mask only protects our mouths and noses, it doesn't protect anywhere else, especially the eyes, which is vulnerable to bacteria too. If a mask can protect you, it can protect you only if you dress like this...

So why wear a mask? It is simply because of fear, fear that if I don't do what is "scientific," death and sickness will befall me. People understand things superficially and half-heartedly, just like catholics in the medieval times. If I wear a mask, I'll be safe. If I wear a rosary, God will protect me.

Or maybe... the company that produces the masks paid the news reporters to help impose the fear to watchers.

So... is science the new religion?