ABSTRACT
During the covid-19 pandemic, cloth and disposable masks were recommended to reduce virus transmission. As mask wearing became more common, whether by personal choice or regulation, and the variety of masks available increased, these masks acquired the status of key material-culture objects. This essay reflects on the symbolic nature of obtaining, wearing, and discarding masks during the pandemic within the context of Michigan in the United States. Using material-culture theories proposed by Anna Tsing, Arjun Appadurai, Christine Harold, and Andrei Guruianu and Natalia Andrievskikh, I consider the cultural value, power, and communicability of masks. Woven into this reflection are my personal experiences with masks as they relate to the three themes. I conclude by reflecting on the ephemeral nature of masks and the ever-changing meanings derived through an examination of material culture.
