Egypt began making mask wearing mandatory with the 2021 New Year, having tried once before in the first round of the virus. Mask wearing is required inside buildings and on public transportation. Prior to this, not more than 1/4th of people in the streets could be seen sporting masks, most often on their chins. In early February, there is universal masking on public transportation. The government has issued more information on the importance of masks and instituted a system of fines for noncompliance, which still appears to be high. What are Egyptians’ attitudes towards wearing masks? What do they believe? Do they believe the masks help prevent COVID19? Do they believe COVID19 is a serious epidemic? Do they believe God protects them from the virus? Do attitudes towards authority influence the way Egyptian see government information on COVID19? What cultural themes influence mask wearing of the Egyptian public? This research uses qualitative strategies, including participant observation, focus groups and individual interviews and a survey to identify the range of attitudes towards mask wearing. The study looks at information dissemination, information processing, and the communication pathways of how Egyptians make decisions about mask wearing. What beliefs, values, and feelings influence how Egyptians weigh scientific information, in addition to rumors, conspiracy theories, and their community linkages, and government pressure to decide whether to mask or not to mask. Drawing on consumer behavior theory, the study looks at patterns of persuasion, applying the six universal principles of persuasion: reciprocity, commitment, pack mentality, authority, liking and scarcity, identifying which of the persuasion principles seem to be the most salient to behavioral decisions.