NOT very long ago some powerful and developed countries had strictly banned the use of the veil by women, threatening heavy fines and consequences if the order was violated. What irony of fate that the very countries that had prohibited the veil for women have now made the use of face masks strictly mandatory for all citizens! If the matter had not been a serious issue, of public health one would find the situaion funny indeed.

Face masks for men and women for the foreseeable future are going to be an essential part of attire all over the world.

Sooner rather than later face masks in multi-colours and various designs and shapes will be available in the market, as these are already on the list of fashion designers.

Lt Col (retd) S. Mohsin Zaidi

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2020