Coronavirus Safety Runs Into a Stubborn Barrier: Masculinity

[BigmanPigman]

When political leaders suggest basic precautions appear unmanly, men are less likely to follow health and safety advice, experts say.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/10/us/politics/trump-biden-masks-masculinity.html

The theme has been there since the beginning of the pandemic. Some experts who study masculinity and public health say the perception that wearing masks and following social distancing guidelines are unmanly has carried a destructive cost. The virus has infected more men than women and killed far more of them.

Men’s resistance to showing weakness — and their tendency to take risks — was demonstrated by scientists long before Covid-19. Studies have shown men are less likely than women to wear seatbelts and helmets, or to get flu shots. They’re more likely to speed or drive drunk. They are less likely to seek out medical care.

Some initial research indicates a similar pattern is playing out with the coronavirus. Gallup’s Covid-19 tracking poll, updated on Wednesday, has found that American women are more likely than men to take precautions to avoid contracting the coronavirus, including by wearing masks outside the home. Other recent polls have found that men give higher marks to Mr. Trump than women on his handling of the pandemic.