The Instagram account reveals utterly ridiculous face mask alternatives on the subways.
Most subway riders have been pretty good about complying with face mask mandates.
But a standout few have been getting creative with their questionable face — and body — coverings that defy common sense, science, and even aesthetics.
And the SubwayCreatures Instagram account, with more than two million followers, has documented some of the funniest and most bizarre mask alternatives to make it into the subway.
It turns out, some interpret the word 'face mask' a bit too loosely, sporting plastic buckets, unturned shopping bags, and undies.
Well, this list will give you a glimpse of weird, weirder, and the weirdest in times of pandemic.
#1 This Normalizes Wearing Masks
#2 This is Actually Smart!
#3 Plague Doctor Costume
#4 Sexy! Wearing Women's Underwear over His Face
#5 The Image behind Him Makes it Look Like Water Pouring Into His Jug-Head!
In a recent interview with Bored Panda, Rick McGuire, the founder of the 'Subway Creatures' Instagram page, said that it all started in 2011 when he launched 'Subway Creatures' as a website.
Inspired by his personal interest in observing commuters and the subway, he then launched Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.
Rick said:
NYC has this unspoken rule of 'keep your head down and mind your own business.' But I'm a huge people-watcher.
There's so much going on around you at all times, and it would be a shame to miss some of these typical 'New York moments.'
When I'm on the train, I always find myself looking for obscurities and checking my surroundings. You never know what you'll see!
#6 The Walking Toilet Paper Dispenser Appears to Be Empty
#7 Fabulous
#8 When You Hate People More Than the Virus
#9 White Looks Sus
'Subway Creatures' has now garnered more than 2.1 million followers devoted to weird, weirder, and the most bizarre on subways.
The social media account is for everything eccentric, captivated Rick since he was commuting to work.
He recalled:
I was commuting to work in NYC every day and seeing the wild, bizarre, and crazy things the city has to offer. I then noticed there really wasn't a place where it was all being documented.
#10 Why Even Bother? A Plastic Lids on the Face?
#11 Level Failed. Try Again
#12 At Least He's Trying
#13 What Kind Thoughts Went into This woman's Head?
#14 Just Imagine the Condensation
#15 Well, It Worked I Guess
#16 Using a Napkin
#17 That Has to Be Hot under all That
#18 Is He Protecting Himself Against the Plague, Or He's on His Way to a Crime?
#19 Animal Costume
There's no question that most of these makeshift face coverings won't help combat the spread of coronavirus.
Anna Davies, a scientist at The Cambridge Centre for Data-Driven Discovery who researches face mask efficacy, explains why that's so.
According to Anna, you should only consider a homemade mask as a last resort to prevent droplet transmission from infected individuals. Even so, 'it would be better than no protection.'
She also stresses that if an asymptomatic individual needs to come into contact with others, wearing a face mask would lower the risks of virus transmission.
However, Anna warned that the person should carefully handle and decontaminate the mask before disposal.
#20 Phantom in the Subway
#21 Folks Say I Look My Best with My Head Stuck In a Bucket
#22 He's the 'Nosey Guy' Everyone Talks About
#23 How Have Humans Survived This Long?
#24 Honeydew Mask
#25 Gas Mask
#26 It Looks Like He had a Nosebleed in the Morning and Forgot about the Tissue
#27 No Clue How, but It Looks Like He's Still Managing to Pick His Nose
#28 Leaf it Out, Vegan
#29 She Is Making A Call. Nothing to See Here…
#30 Where Do I Really Even Start
#31 How Does One Breath?!
#32 A Beekeeper Hat
#33 "Hi Friends, I Always Said He Looked Like A P****"
#34 Plastic Box And a Scarf. LOL!
#35 Every Little Effort Helps
#36 What the Heck Is That?
#37 At Least He's Covering His Nose?
