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Photos: Portraits from a global conversation around face masks

Covid-19 has made facial coverings an item of ubiquity around the world. The wearing of masks, and their effectiveness in combating this invisible threat, however continue as a topic of hot debate across the world. Proponents for and against face mask decry faults in opposing opinions. The Associated Press brings a selection of voices from this global debate.

Updated on: Jul 25, 2020 3:24 PM IST

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1/9

Poo Alejandro Padrun, 15, wearing a protective face masks as a precaution against the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) poses with his dog in the Malecon esplanade in Havana, Cuba on July 22. "Put it on, " Padrun said to the AP of his opinion on face masks. "We have to take care of ourselves, we have to take care of ourselves. " (Ramon Espinosa / AP)

Updated on Jul 25, 2020 3:24 PM

Poo Alejandro Padrun, 15, wearing a protective face masks as a precaution against the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) poses with his dog in the Malecon esplanade in Havana, Cuba on July 22. "Put it on, " Padrun said to the AP of his opinion on face masks. "We have to take care of ourselves, we have to take care of ourselves. " (Ramon Espinosa / AP)

2/9

Tatyana Khrupina, speaks from Nikolskaya street near Red Square during her interview with the Associated Press in Moscow, Russia on July 21. “It has its minimal usefulness, but it is definitely not what you should start with,” Tatyana Khrupina told the AP, adding that she doesn't “really believe” in the effectiveness of a mask. (Alexander Zemlianichenko / AP)

Updated on Jul 25, 2020 3:24 PM

Tatyana Khrupina, speaks from Nikolskaya street near Red Square during her interview with the Associated Press in Moscow, Russia on July 21. “It has its minimal usefulness, but it is definitely not what you should start with,” Tatyana Khrupina told the AP, adding that she doesn't “really believe” in the effectiveness of a mask. (Alexander Zemlianichenko / AP)

3/9

Syrian Orthodox priest Shimon Jan, poses in the alleys of Jerusalem's Old City on July 21. Jan said,”I'm advising to everyone to wear face masks not only because of the law also because life is the most important thing.” (Oded Balilty / AP)

Updated on Jul 25, 2020 3:24 PM

Syrian Orthodox priest Shimon Jan, poses in the alleys of Jerusalem's Old City on July 21. Jan said,”I'm advising to everyone to wear face masks not only because of the law also because life is the most important thing.” (Oded Balilty / AP)

4/9

Emmanuelle Prevot, a restorer of paintings and artwork poses in her workshop in Paris on July 21. Emmanuelle said that she does not wear a mask always while working with chemicals for paintings because it impedes work, but said that she accepts wearing masks in public areas to not worry people, although she does not stress on it. (Francois Mori / AP)

Updated on Jul 25, 2020 3:24 PM

Emmanuelle Prevot, a restorer of paintings and artwork poses in her workshop in Paris on July 21. Emmanuelle said that she does not wear a mask always while working with chemicals for paintings because it impedes work, but said that she accepts wearing masks in public areas to not worry people, although she does not stress on it. (Francois Mori / AP)

5/9

Kalsang Chokteng, an in-exile Tibetan, poses for a photograph in Dharamsala, India on July 21. Kalsang told the AP that people who do not want to wear masks are selfish and should think of the impact of their careless action on others. (Ashwini Bhatia / AP)

Updated on Jul 25, 2020 3:24 PM

Kalsang Chokteng, an in-exile Tibetan, poses for a photograph in Dharamsala, India on July 21. Kalsang told the AP that people who do not want to wear masks are selfish and should think of the impact of their careless action on others. (Ashwini Bhatia / AP)

6/9

Paul Tomo poses for a photo in front of a souvenir stand in Westminster in London on July 22. “Two things, if we really needed them why weren't they introduced in the beginning. They gave a deadline before they implemented it which gives you a clear indication to question what you are being told because its clearly for control purposes not for your protection whatsoever,” Tomo told AP. (Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP)

Updated on Jul 25, 2020 3:24 PM

Paul Tomo poses for a photo in front of a souvenir stand in Westminster in London on July 22. “Two things, if we really needed them why weren't they introduced in the beginning. They gave a deadline before they implemented it which gives you a clear indication to question what you are being told because its clearly for control purposes not for your protection whatsoever,” Tomo told AP. (Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP)

7/9

Nantaga Sanguannoi, who works as a nurse, poses for a photo in Bangkok, Thailand on July 21. “I want everyone to know it is easy to prevent spreading of COVID-19 by wearing a mask. Lot of resources have been utilized, and economies have been shattered because of the virus. If we can prevent spreading of the virus those resources can be utilized to help already affected poor people, think about it,” Sanguannoi said to the AP. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP)

Updated on Jul 25, 2020 3:24 PM

Nantaga Sanguannoi, who works as a nurse, poses for a photo in Bangkok, Thailand on July 21. “I want everyone to know it is easy to prevent spreading of COVID-19 by wearing a mask. Lot of resources have been utilized, and economies have been shattered because of the virus. If we can prevent spreading of the virus those resources can be utilized to help already affected poor people, think about it,” Sanguannoi said to the AP. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP)

8/9

Wasim Abbas poses for a photo after talking with the Associated Press in Islamabad, Pakistan on July 22. “In the beginning, there was a fear of coronavirus and people were scared and they used to maintain a distance from others. Now people have started taking it easy. They don’t wear masks and they say death has to come one day, and when it comes, they will go to God, but they will not live any longer like this,” Abbas said, explaining mask-fatigue. (Anjum Naveed / AP)

Updated on Jul 25, 2020 3:24 PM

Wasim Abbas poses for a photo after talking with the Associated Press in Islamabad, Pakistan on July 22. “In the beginning, there was a fear of coronavirus and people were scared and they used to maintain a distance from others. Now people have started taking it easy. They don’t wear masks and they say death has to come one day, and when it comes, they will go to God, but they will not live any longer like this,” Abbas said, explaining mask-fatigue. (Anjum Naveed / AP)

9/9

Notary Ilaria Virginia Infelisi poses with a surgical mask in her studio in Rome, on July 21. “In my study, I'm very unpermissive. I ask everyone to wear it during the drafting of contracts even if there is a lot of space and everything is disinfected after each meeting. We ask it politely because I believe it is fundamentally a sign of courtesy and mutual respect.” (Ricardo De Luca / AP)

Updated on Jul 25, 2020 3:24 PM

Notary Ilaria Virginia Infelisi poses with a surgical mask in her studio in Rome, on July 21. “In my study, I'm very unpermissive. I ask everyone to wear it during the drafting of contracts even if there is a lot of space and everything is disinfected after each meeting. We ask it politely because I believe it is fundamentally a sign of courtesy and mutual respect.” (Ricardo De Luca / AP)

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