The mask is still alien to many in Kolkata.
Some of them were unrepentant about not having a mask despite the number of people infected with the virus.
Elgin Road: A man and two women said they were going to a temple nearby.
One of the women did not have a mask and said she would wear one soon and started searching in her bag.
“It’s in my bag and I will wear it,” she said.
Chandni Chowk: Two women came to buy fruits, they said.
One of them was not wearing a mask. “I just came to buy some fruits. I will wear it,” she said.
Victoria Memorial: Two children were accompanied by two men, who came from Howrah, none wearing a mask.
One of the men, however, had it on his chin and said that he should be wearing it.
The one taking selfies did not even care. “What is the need to wear a mask?” he said.
Prince Anwar Shah-Bypass connector: A woman was spotted on the footpath without a mask. “I always wear it and have removed it to breathe in some air. Wearing it constantly is very difficult. I was wearing it before you spotted me and I will wear it again,” she said.
Lake Gardens: Waiting for transport, a man had pulled his mask down.
“I do it sometimes and again wear it. Not that I am not wearing,” he said when the photographer asked him.
BB Ganguly Street: Three women were walking down the street, two of them without a mask worn properly. One of them put it back.
The other one said: “I have it… since we went to the temple and were talking to each other, we didn’t notice we hadn’t worn it.”
Exide crossing: A man and a woman were walking down and the man without a mask.
“I was wearing it. I just removed it. I will wear it again,” he said and walked away.