Why are politicians so reluctant to be seen wearing masks in public?

Such arrogance is leaving people confused, but if it’s good enough for Donald Trump it’s good enough for Boris Johnson, writes Janet Street-Porter

The PM has finally set an example, but he has been very late to do so (Downing Street)

Masks have to be worn visiting the shops in Scotland and are mandatory on public transport throughout the UK. How much protection do they offer? New research from California indicates masks not only stop the wearer from spreading the virus, it also protects them from tiny invisible particles in the air emitted when others speak.

The study concluded that masks decrease the risk of contracting Covid-19 by 65 per cent. So why are politicians so reluctant to wear one in public?

Boris Johnson has urged people to make sure they were covering their noses when wearing a mask on public transport, but we only had the first picture of the prime minister actually wearing one on Friday, belatedly setting an example we could follow. Rishi Sunak delivered his summer economic statement and then posed for photos as a “waiter” in a London branch of Wagamama this week, not wearing a mask, potentially presenting diners with a health risk.

This reluctance to cover up not only highlights the fragile egos of our leaders, it also exposes their hypocrisy. Johnson, Cummings, Hancock and co all caught the virus because they were arrogant, with social distancing seemingly an afterthought.

Faced with a lack of leadership on this issue, the public are confused about whether to wear a mask or not. They are compulsory for everyone visiting a hospital, as well as NHS staff but there have been countless pictures of politicians visiting medical establishments not wearing any face covering.

I suppose Johnson is taking his cue from his pal Donald Trump – whose narcissism ensures he will never be seen in a mask, although more than 65,000 people a day are catching the virus in the USA.