A Genealogical Study of Facemasks in China: From Hygienic Modernity to Care

Abstract Despite the omnipresence of facemasks in ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, recent studies on their sociopolitical aspects remain insufficient. This article conducts a genealogical study that investigates emergence two differing masking strategies epidemic events Chinese history. First, during Manchurian plague 1910/11, it shows how germ theory and historical anecdotes made anti-plague masks thinkable practicable as solution not only for airborne contagion but also biopolitical problem ‘unhygienic’ population. In second part, analytical focus is shifted to collective mask-wearing practices SARS 2002/03 from vantage point subjectification. Facemasks then became symbol care neoliberal regime responsibilization. concludes by arguing rethinking actants who actively participate constitution world we share.