Crossword Genius

One masked closely on face during Corona wave (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

raccoon

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'corona wave' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'one masked closely on face during' is the wordplay.
'one masked' becomes 'racon' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'face' says to take the initial letters.
'during' is an insertion indicator.
The first letters of 'closely on' is 'co'.
'racon' going around 'co' is 'RACCOON'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for raccoon that I've seen before include "Omnivorous nocturnal mammal native to N and C America" , "Furry American mammal" , "Smallish mammal" , "American carnivore" , "North American mammal with fur used for hats" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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