Confront what's been kept under cover during pandemic (4)
I believe the answer is:
face
This clue is a double definition.
'confront' is the first definition.
(synonyms)
'what's been kept under cover during pandemic' is the second definition.
(reference to the use of face masks)
(Other definitions for face that I've seen before include "Deal with" , "Front -- confront" , "'Cheeks, mouth, eyes etc (4)'" , "steep side of mountain" , "Surface; visage" .)