Alex’s “Plague Dr” mask a macabre sign of the times

Getting into the true spirit of the lockdown — albeit in a rather macabre fashion — Alex Campbell (pictured) was snapped recently in Summer St wearing a replica of a 17th century “plague doctor” mask.

“I bought it online, I just thought it looked cool, particularly for now,” Alex (giving the thumbs-up!) explained.

The plague doctor mask is one of the most recognisable symbols of the “Black Death” (bubonic plague) that swept through Asia and Europe regularly up until the 19th century.

Plague doctors were European physicians who specialised in treating victims of plagues, the mask was designed to protect the doctor themselves from infection and to prevent their spreading the disease to other patients.

The beak-like mask was often filled with aromatic herbs to supposedly shield the wearer from putrid air which was believed to be the cause of the disease.