To mask or not to mask? World leaders scrutinised over face coverings
- While many global leaders have embraced the protective measure, some still remain staunchly opposed to wearing a mask
Donald Trump has not donned one. Emmanuel Macron boasted a small French flag on his. Slovakia’s president made a fashion statement by sporting a fuchsia-coloured one to match her outfit.
As the world starts emerging from coronavirus lockdowns, political leaders are being closely scrutinised over their choice to wear a mask – or not – with many people questioning the seemingly mixed messages about the value of face coverings as infection barriers.
Many Western governments counselled against face masks for the general public at the start of the outbreak, which has now claimed more than a quarter of a million lives worldwide.
But as people start returning to work despite the lack of a treatment or vaccine, masks are being encouraged or even required as a critical antivirus tool, along with hand-washing and social distancing.
As government advice has changed, leaders have had to decide: to cover up or not?
