Covid second wave: Why we didn’t wear masks

We spotted many who were without masks or had them on their chin or hanging around ears and some had them in their backpacks

The renewed surge in the number of Covid cases has had little effect on a section of Calcuttans. They are out on the streets without any face cover.:Telegraph picture

TT, Calcutta, 24.04.21: The renewed surge in the number of Covid cases has had little effect on a section of Calcuttans. They are out on the streets without any face cover.

The Telegraph drove around several places in the city and spotted many who were without masks  or had them on their chin or hanging around ears.

Some had them in their backpacks. Here’s what they told this newspaper

Two college-goers were spotted walking down a road near IEM College in Sector V without masks.TT

We just stepped out: Two college-goers were spotted walking down a road near IEM College in Sector V without masks.

One of the girls had her mask dangling from her hand.

The renewed surge in the number of Covid cases has had little effect on a section of Calcuttans. They are out on the streets without any face cover.Telegraph picture

When asked why they were walking without any face covers, the girls said they wore them inside the college and had just taken them off.

“We had gone to the college for some work and were wearing masks. We will put them back on once we are inside an autorickshaw,” said one of the girls.

It is too hot to wear one: New Town resident Sumanta Das, 39, who was waiting for a bus, said he had a mask in his backpack. When asked why he was not wearing one despite the steady rise in the number of cases in Calcutta as well as in neighbouring North 24-Parganas, Das said it was too hot to mask up. “Dada eto gorom e Corona o paliyeche. Mask porle ghemey jai. Para jay na (The coronavirus had fled in this heat. If I wear a mask, I sweat a lot and I cannot stand it),” said Das.Telegraph picture

It is too hot to wear one: New Town resident Sumanta Das, 39, who was waiting for a bus, said he had a mask in his backpack. When asked why he was not wearing one despite the steady rise in the number of cases in Calcutta as well as in neighbouring North 24-Parganas, Das said it was too hot to mask up. “Dada eto gorom e Corona o paliyeche. Mask porle ghemey jai. Para jay na (The coronavirus had fled in this heat. If I wear a mask, I sweat a lot and I cannot stand it),” said Das.

Public health experts have advised people to wear masks and adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour even after getting fully inoculated.

Public health experts have advised people to wear masks and adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour even after getting fully inoculated.

Raj Kumar Shaw, a 47-year-old employee of the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Limited, was spotted sitting on a chair inches away from a 12-year-old boy in front of Vidyut Bhavan. Both were without a mask. The strings of what looked like a mask dangled out of Shaw’s pocket.Telegraph picture

Cannot breathe through a mask: Raj Kumar Shaw, a 47-year-old employee of the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Limited, was spotted sitting on a chair inches away from a 12-year-old boy in front of Vidyut Bhavan. Both were without a mask. The strings of what looked like a mask dangled out of Shaw’s pocket.

“We have to wear the mask inside the office. I was feeling out of breath, so I stepped out. I cannot breathe properly with a mask on in this heat,” said Shaw.

The 12-year-old said he had lost his mask while getting off a bus.

Deepankar Sarkar, who runs a fast food stall in Salt Lake, was near his counter without a mask. Telegraph picture

It is tiring to work with a mask on: Deepankar Sarkar, who runs a fast food stall in Salt Lake, was near his counter without a mask. 

“I cannot wear a mask and cook. I get tired and it is really difficult to work with a mask on,” said Sarkar.

The Telegraph drove around several places in the city and spotted many who were without masks  or had them on their chin or hanging around ears.TT