Looking for the bad guys. Why is the police officer wearing the mask? A. Because he is a surgeon cum police officer. B. Because of the air pollution in Tokyo. C. It is a fashion statement. D. He suffers from hayfever and is thus trying to protect himself from pollen. E. He has a cold and is trying to prevent other people from catching his cold. The correct answer is E. However, many hayfever victims wear masks in the spring( but not now in January) to protect themselves from pollen .