A picture is worth a thousand words. That old adage has assumed special significance in these trying times of coronavirus, as President Arif Alvi may have learned to his chagrin when a picture showing him wearing an N-95 mask at an official meeting in Lahore drew criticism from medical professionals alleging that personal protective equipment (PPE) meant for use by doctors and nurses was being 'misused' by politicians. The President though explained in a Twitter post that as a doctor he was strongly aware of misuse and waste, and that he had been reusing the N-95 mask given to him during his China visit. "Finally its strap broke y/day, so in next mtng @ WingCmdr Noman Akram Shaheed's house you see me wearing regular public mask," he clarified further.

More problematic, however, are the images of leaders appearing in public wearing regular masks but disregarding the basic safety measure: Social distancing. A photo of the president, for instance, at the martyred officer's residence showed him and Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar and an unidentified gent, all three sitting on the same sofa. Perhaps, he had no choice in that situation. But Prime Minister Imran Khan is regularly seen visiting public places, including hospitals, closely surrounded by a dozen or so officials whereas the required distance is about six feet. Still pictures and videos of chief ministers also depict them inspecting various facilities accompanied by many associates and interacting with officials standing not far apart. Government leaders, of course, need to be seen with the people in a time of crisis. But it is just as important for them to take necessary precaution for the sake of their own safety and also to send the people the right message. As it is, despite the lockdown, curbs on non-essential movement continue to be flouted, especially in inner cities where the police and other security personnel's presence is nominal, if not missing altogether. Then there are those who think it an act of faith to defy restrictions on mosque gatherings, even though people in most other Muslim countries are complying with such safety steps taken by their governments.

This must be stopped. The cost of laxity is unthinkable and the best bet against the lethal virus, it bears repeating, is social distancing. The message should be constantly drummed into heads. An effective way of conveying it is for the leaders to show by example what is expected of the people. They need to be more conscious of this responsibility while appearing in public for the performance of their duties.