Anyone wearing a gas mask had to be doing it as a joke or a protest.
No. There Are many nitwits who are paralyzed by fear...and by their weakness.
I have, as both.
But here's the irony.
A properly worn military gas mask actually does protect the wearer, not so much others near the wearer.
While the masks most people wear do a reasonably good job of protecting others from the wearer, but little to protect the wearer.