MTA’s New ‘You Do You’ Masking PSAs Get Memed By New Yorkers
With New York Governor Kathy Hochul lifting the mask mandate on public transit on Wednesday, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has updated its visual signage with a version that many have perceived as a trainwreck.
New imagery depicts characters opting in and out of wearing masks, with both versions being labeled with “Yes.” Another figure is jokingly depicted with their mask only covering their nose, and that gets a “You do you.” MTA also seems to have approved the use of facial coverings with the nose dangling out.
Starting today, masks will be optional in some places where they had previously been required, including on mass transit. pic.twitter.com/5zTT4uRB6h
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) September 7, 2022
“Masks are encouraged, but optional. Let’s respect each other’s choices,” read the signs. Their style is a reprisal of an earlier campaign that the MTA had put out to teach commuters how to wear masks correctly.
Look at how the @MTA signs for masking on public transport have changed. The MTA is now appeasing anti-maskers and spreading public health misinformation that confuses people who still want to mask. pic.twitter.com/8IWBQaf3HW
— Dr. Lucky Tran (@luckytran) September 7, 2022
Hochul justified that mask-wearing on public transport is no longer necessary with the advent of the Omicron booster, along with stabilizing COVID-19 rates. However, this announcement has been widely criticized by locals, who have argued that the laxed guidelines may put the vulnerable, including seniors, at risk.
In a statement, the Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY (CIDNY) proclaims that it is “disheartened with the decision to no longer require masks on public transit.”
“We know that people with disabilities and those who are immunocompromised are at a higher risk than others. Rescinding the mask mandate can elevate that risk,” the organization continues.
CIDNY has also condemned MTA’s decision to make light of improper mask-wearing.
You got it right the first time. pic.twitter.com/Y7NrElxTFs
— You shouldn't let poets lie to you (@becklo) September 7, 2022
Authorities have long pointed out that masking up in public protects others around you. This could be another reason people are finding the updated posters, which can be seen as spoofs, irresponsible. Plus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently encouraged people to get their booster shots done in the wake of Omicron and its BA.4 and BA.5 variants.
Cynical New Yorkers have now ripped the new PSAs apart to validate other forms of reckless behavior, like peeing in a public pool and defiantly taking off condoms during intercourse (NSFW). “You do you,” they declare.
The internet is undefeated. Don’t pee or poop in a pool— nor spread COVID. Wear a mask. #MaskUp
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) September 8, 2022
Context: NYC @MTA put out a horrible mask related poster today. The internet exploded. pic.twitter.com/POhQMaVASM
ArtvWar, an art collective launched by Rafael Shimunov, has shared a series of parody posters—including one joking about subway fares now being optional. These edits have been made free for the public to download and print, with the goal of having them pasted “across the New York City subways.”
New @MTA guidance by Governor Kathy Hochul is now available in PDFs you should not download, print and place across the New York City subways.https://t.co/o0SGpd2wWa pic.twitter.com/duIMQqUcxz
— ArtvWar (@ArtvWar) September 8, 2022
We can think of a few other examples. Are your heavier groceries always stacked on top of eggs? Do you use “there” as the universal spelling for “there,” “their,” and “they’re”? Is it GIF or JIF? You do you!
#COVIDisAirborne #WearAMask pic.twitter.com/6ho2JygnhK
— The Meme Guy (@joejaggi) September 7, 2022
I fixed it for you. pic.twitter.com/tpaCKX0Q8o
— A Wolf Without A Foot (@TheIronistIX) September 7, 2022
We want all your policies illustrated in this easy to understand way, Governor Hochul. pic.twitter.com/VP9jIG2V1X
— rafael shimunov (@rafaelshimunov) September 7, 2022
[via Hyperallergic, Curbed, NPR, images via various sources]
