How to convince a skeptic to wear a mask? The secrets of effective communication [EXPLAIN]
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Wearing face masks is one of the basic ways to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. However, we probably all know someone who does not wear it in places where it is recommended or even mandatory. What to do to make these people change their minds, or at least how to increase the chances of it? Admonition is one of the worst things we can do. Better to try a different strategy. Claire Hooker, coordinator of health and medical science at the University of Sydney, wrote about it. Her article is available on sciencealert.com.

  1. Before starting the conversation, make sure your emotions don’t obscure what you want to convey. Otherwise, the person we’re trying to communicate with won’t hear anything more than that you hold a grudge against them.
  2. The way to effective communication is getting to know the other person’s values ​​and respecting them and emphasizing what we have in common
  3. Instead of asking the person to wear a mask, it is better to ask the person why they are not wearing it. This is a chance that our interlocutor will want to be heard. This, in turn, may be an opportunity to solve the problem
  4. “If we do not judge, we are empathetic and clearly define what we want to achieve, we can rise above the reactions that block effective communication,” writes Claire Hooker
  5. You can find more about the coronavirus on the TvoiLokony home page

How to convince someone to wear a mask? The most common mistakes

To begin with, it is worth considering that people differ in terms of sensitivity (physical and mental), as well as the way they perceive and tolerate risk.

Before we start the conversation, let’s remember that our own emotions do not obscure what we want to convey. The anger, anxiety, indignation or fear we feel may dominate our message and, consequently, the person with whom we are trying to communicate will not hear anything more than that we blame her for not having a mask.

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Ironically, the pandemic increases the likelihood of this kind of misunderstanding. When emotions or stress take over us and we start to criticize someone for not having a mask, we are more likely to activate the “fight, run, freeze” mechanism in ourselves or in the interlocutor. And this has a huge impact on how we communicate and how our communication is received.

If our interlocutor starts to defend himself (because, for example, the lack of a mask is associated with his sense of identity), he will automatically be less able to listen, receive information or accurately evaluate it, and even more firmly stick to his beliefs.

What works? Respect, be empathetic, don’t judge

So how do you reduce the likelihood of inducing a defensive stance and create fertile ground for negotiation? The way to do this is to know and respect the other person’s values, and to emphasize what we have in common.

Instead of criticizing someone for not having a mask, it’s better to say: I can see how important it is for you to be skeptical, and I totally agree, especially since the evidence changes so often. However, they now show that even young healthy people can become seriously ill, so could I ask you to wear a mask on our journey?

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Likewise, rather than asking the person to wear a mask, it is better to ask the person why they are not wearing it. This is a chance that our interlocutor will want to be heard. This can be an opportunity to solve the problem (especially if we ask how we can help and refrain from giving advice). Likewise, it is worth exercising communication that is free from judgment, let alone embarrassing your interlocutor.

Let’s summarize: “If we don’t judge, are empathetic, and clearly define what we want to achieve, we can rise above the reactions that block effective communication,” writes Claire Hooker, senior lecturer and coordinator of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Sydney.

If you want to buy disposable or reusable masks, see the Medonet Market offer.

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  4. What is the best protection against the virus? Comparison of masks and helmets
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