Strike against mask wearing in 1930s echoed COVID-19 protests, study finds
Debates surrounding public health measures, like mask-wearing, are not a recent phenomenon. New research reveals resistance to such policies dates back nearly a century, offering a historical lens through which to understand contemporary reactions.
A Century of Resistance
Dr. Meng Zhang, a Wellcome Trust Research Fellow at The University of Manchester’s Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine, uncovered protests by barbers in 1930s China against mandatory mask rules. These barbers argued the rules were unfair, uncomfortable, and discriminatory.
The 1936 Jiujiang Strike
The protests initially erupted in Jiujiang, a port city on the Yangtze River, during a hot summer in 1936. Local officials mandated that barbers wear masks to curb the spread of tuberculosis and other airborne diseases. Barbers responded by going on strike, claiming the masks made them feel “muzzled like animals.” Their labour union amplified their concerns, attracting attention from both Chinese and international news outlets.
While open strikes were less common in Beijing due to stricter policing, resistance still manifested. The situation in Jiujiang eventually led to a compromise: barbers agreed to wear masks only during close facial shaving, when the risk of disease transmission was considered highest.
Beyond Hygiene: Identity and Social Hierarchy
Dr. Zhang emphasizes that the barbers’ objections weren’t rooted in a rejection of science. Instead, they protested what they perceived as unfair targeting of their profession. At the time, barbers were often viewed as socially inferior and unfairly blamed for spreading disease, and the mask orders reinforced this stigma. As Dr. Zhang explains, “Just as we saw in the 2020s, masks in 1930s China became more than a medical object. They were about politics, identity and social hierarchy as much as hygiene.”
The research highlights the role of labour unions in enabling barbers to organize and negotiate with authorities, influencing both the protests and their outcomes. This dynamic mirrors recent experiences, as barbers were again central to mask policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and were also tasked with enforcing rules on their customers.
What Might Happen Next
Understanding these historical parallels could inform future public health responses. Governments may be better equipped to anticipate and address resistance to public health measures if they acknowledge the underlying social and political factors at play. A more nuanced approach to enforcement, and a greater emphasis on fairness and transparency, is likely to be more effective in gaining public cooperation. It is also possible that future public health crises will see similar debates about individual liberties versus collective well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the barbers’ strike in 1930s China?
Barbers went on strike in Jiujiang in 1936 because they believed the mandatory mask-wearing rules were unfair, uncomfortable, and discriminatory.
Were the barbers opposed to the idea of preventing the spread of disease?
No, Dr. Zhang stresses that the barbers were not rejecting science. Their protest was against what they saw as unfair targeting of their profession and the reinforcement of social stigma.
What role did labour unions play in the protests?
labour unions provided barbers with the means to organize, negotiate with the state, and gain attention for their concerns through Chinese and international newspapers.
Considering this historical precedent, how can we better balance public health needs with individual concerns and perceptions of fairness?