Put aside the exasperating debate about whether individuals should wear a face mask to protect themselves and others against the spread of the COVID-19 virus (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Wearing a face mask has become a cause célèbre, with implications of safety for oneself and others, trust in science, and being in defiance of or in lockstep with healthcare authority figures.
Keywords: COVID-19; face masks; nonverbal cues; patient–provider communication.