Attending a protest meeting against masks while wearing one

Even though four people died of the coronavirus and 370 were diagnosed on Thursday, a few hundred people gathered in Tallinn’s Freedom Square to protest against the obligation to wear a mask in public on Friday. Participants included both Estonian and Russian-speakers, families, young men and women and the elderly – a most colorful cross-section of Estonia.

One could discern hospitality wearing an FFP2 mask and a press ID while moving through the crowd. Several people who agreed to be interviewed did not provide their name and cameras were given condemning looks. On the other hand, more than a few “experts” who claimed to know how the coronavirus really affects people or rather doesn’t couldn’t wait for their turn in front of the camera. A man in his fifties kept his eye on us, obviously interested in what the journalist was asking people. It was clear he also wanted to share his truth with the press, while he began by attacking the camera, wanting desperately to talk anonymously. People generally wanted to share what they thought without revealing their identity. This was best reflected in participants wearing masks – the kind that depict various characters.

Oppression of spirituality

For example, a man who styled himself as an “inventor” suggested that journalists have been paid and bought. “You would not wear a mask if your boss didn’t require it of you. Look at how difficult it is for you to speak. You have been muzzled, while I have not,” the inventor said.

Around 200-300 people had showed up by the time the meeting started. Someone was singing a lovely song and playing the guitar in a small tent that left one feeling lighthearted. Estonian and Latvian flags were waving in the wind and mothers with children could be seen. Feelings of unity were creeping up and a critical eye was hard to maintain. The crowd continued to grow, with more active and louder peopled in the front and onlookers mixed with a few more experts standing further back. Two men in their forties were also watching the show. They were holding an A3 piece of paper that read, “People were forced to wear masks to oppress and subjugate human power and spirituality.” The skinnier of the two men described COVID-19 as a prop. His stockier companion had a formula for avoiding infection. “To give up preservatives and all the crap sold to people.” Neither wished to give their name.

One of the most vocal protesters jumped in front of our microphone upon seeing the cameras. He claimed to have previously unreleased facts according to which doctors include COVID-19 in patients’ medical records without their knowledge. People wrote about it on Facebook, there were screenshots,” he said. The man was reluctant to provide his full name but had more facts to divulge.

Even though the meeting’s concept might have led one to believe that participants were in agreement that wearing a mask is detrimental to one’s health – despite doctors and nurses wearing them for most of their working day – that was not really the case. Many had different concerns. The story of a businesswoman and mother who is in dire straits because of the economic crisis was perhaps the most touching. “What are we to feed our children? The state is funding the Defense Forces, while it is doing nothing for its people. I don’t know what will become of my business,” Jelena Kesa said emotionally. She described the coronavirus as a trifle and claimed she was immune, courtesy of consuming ginger tea, honey and lemon. However, she seemed to be genuinely concerned for her family. Several people claimed to have excellent genes and an ironclad constitution.

“I have been healthy for 25 years. I’ve had neither a cough nor a runny nose. Healthy people do not get sick. And, you know, I’m 54 years old. Honest to God. I know I look younger, but that is the truth,” a woman said.

I bet I’m coronaproof

One man offered €6,000 to anyone who can give him COVID-19. He was dead certain he will never be infected with the virus. “If one’s vitamin D levels are normal, their metabolism operational and the person is healthy, it is impossible to become infected,” he said. The man, who once again styled himself as an expert on the subject, used scientific terminology and complex thought patterns to describe his theory. “I have run tests on people in independent laboratories. Everyone from infants to the elderly,” he said. Asked how long he has been working as a scientist, it turned out he hadn’t. “I’m self-taught and I help those who want it,” he said. Neither he nor anyone else interviewed by Postimees had medical education, not to mention event organizer Willian Koval who said that organizing anti-mask protests is perfectly fine. The man played to the crowd and gave a fiery speech that sent people clapping and shouting “yes!” excitedly. Asked what would happen were the event to become a COVID-19 outbreak, Koval said that everything is possible. His main argumentation against wearing a mask was based on statistics. “I believe independent scientists. How much use is a mask? Wearing one as it should be worn improves your chances by 5 percent at best. There are other measures one can take, while putting a rag to your face also does harm,” Koval explained.

The Health Board says that masks are needed first and foremost for people who are sick and a danger to others. That is why such masks have been created and what they’ve been tested for. The mask reduces the chances of the virus infecting those standing close to someone wearing a mask and coughing. While public events are still allowed in Estonia, participation has been capped at 500. The obligation to wear a mask and social distancing rules do not apply outdoors. People are obligated to wear a mask or cover their mouth and nose in public indoor places since November 24. No fines have been issued for non-compliance at this time.