Why We Mask - 2025 Edition!

Introducing WHY WE MASK: It's Not "Just A Cold": 2025 Edition! Featuring  1) Simpler language that's more accessible to inexperienced readers and ESL speakers, 2) Updated endnotes with newer scientific papers, 3) Minor illustration edits for clarity, and 4) Updated Resources section. 

Earlier this year I asked readers to share what they'd like to see improved in a new edition of the zine, and got tons of lovely feedback! I kept all that in mind while revising...and also did a million fixes for tiny issues that probably only I ever noticed. The biggest change was updating my language choices across the whole zine! Although I tried to write in a simple, clear way in the original comic, I realized that things could get way simpler (especially with scientific vocabulary I didn't bother to define). It's been a big editing challenge to fit everything into the zine without adding extra pages, but I pulled it off and learned a lot in the process. 

Thanks to everyone for reading and giving feedback. I hope the 2025 version can reach more readers of all different ages and backgrounds! Please print and share the 2025 version to your heart's content <3 Contact me at laurellynnleake@gmail.com if you're interested in distributing print copies, or have any issues printing your own!