Benefit from a face covering, we're told (5)
I believe the answer is:
avail
'benefit from' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'a face covering we're told' is the wordplay.
'face covering' becomes 'veil' (I've seen this in another clue).
'we're told' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'veil' is a homophone of 'vail'.
'a'+'vail'='AVAIL'
(Other definitions for avail that I've seen before include "Be of service to" , "Provide help; profit" , "Serve a purpose" , "Help, benefit" , "See 3" .)