The Practice of Wearing Face-Masks in Montenegro: An Insight into Cross-cultural Analysis of Covid-19 Prevention Measures and Practice

Abstract

Although the Covid-19 transmission happens in the same way across the globe, the implementation of virus prevention measures and recommendations occurs with many variations in different national and cultural contexts. The main goal of this study is to encompass the complexity of local cultural factors that affect the practice of wearing protective face-masks in Montenegro. Ethnography is a methodology which largely, though not exclusively, employs qualitative methods. Thus, the data has been obtained in a series of in-depth interviews with which I encompassed persons of varied socio-demographic characteristic. The data obtained through semi-structured in-depth ethnographic interviews sheds light on attitudes permeating the practices of wearing face-masks in Montenegro. Attitudes against wearing face-masks in Montenegro encompass typical globally widespread anti-masking arguments. The practice of wearing face masks has its political dimension as well as its regional discrepancies. Funeral ceremonies are highly risky events for Covid-19 transmission, but they still put a strong ethical pressure on people to take part in them. Claiming medical issues or the issues of personal freedom and freedom of choice are the main arguments against wearing face-masks in Montenegro. A part of globally widespread arguments circulating in Montenegro are also the religious ones. The political dimension of wearing face masks was particularly noticeable during the protests against the controversial religion law adopted in late December 2019. Funeral ceremonies and particularly the funeral lunch devoted to the soul of buried person might be a reason for increase in the number of people infected with coronavirus in Northern Montenegrin towns.