Every mask is different – even the ubiquitous blue Duke masks that we all received when we first arrived on campus in August. That’s because with every mask comes unique stories, thoughts, and opinions. Through these portraits of Duke students, I explored the various thoughts and ideas related to mask-wearing and tried to capture the expressiveness that is still possible even when more than half of one’s face is covered up. It became clear that although the stories may differ, the core set of values is the same: protect the health of yourself and of others around you, show empathy and care for the wellbeing of others, and work together in solidarity to overcome challenges. These masks are one of our greatest assets in surmounting this pandemic, and they demonstrate that healthcare and medicine is a social responsibility of everybody in the community.
