By Christie Doyin
I had thought I may not have to write about CONVID-19 again but matters concerning the pandemic are still there dangling like a church bell on the world.
From what we see around these days and considering the fact that Corona virus pandemic is still very much with the world and ravaging across nations, we hardly can stop talking and sensitising our people. The scary thing about it all is that the elite are more guilty of many of the don’ts associated with facemasks and social distancing. Unbelievably, many Nigerians, especially Kwarans still hold parties, naming ceremonies and the likes flagrantly ignoring all precautions.
Daily we hear and read alarming rates of new cases and deaths across the world. In Nigeria now, it’s spreading like a wild bush fire. In the last few days, records released everyday are such that would send the jitters down the spine of anyone and this is without bowing to class, levels, status or capability. It is not a case of whether I’m affluent or just a pauper, it defies class.
There are still some erudite scholars and well exposed individuals who still feel the pandemic is a ruse and that governments at all levels are trying to make money out of reported cases of Corona virus. The fact is there could be some exaggerations about facts and figures in Nigeria but the fact that even the super powers in medical and technological know-how are bending, if not falling under the weight of the onslaught of the virus should be enough for us to be extra careful and proactive in wading it off.
Now back to my main focus. We’ve been told that it is mandatory to wear the facemask. Indeed, I’ve come across so many enlightenment on how to wear the facemask and other dos and don’ts of facemasks. The fact that there are so many types also allow for the variants we get about how and how not to wear the mask. In fact, it’s such that apart from the expensive glass cover variant, many of us don’t wear it right. For some, it is like they want us to wear facemask so anything or anyhow would do but that’s not it. We’ve been told that facemasks are not to be shifted or worn under the chin, it must be worn covering the nose n mouth but what you see is it been worn beneath the chin, nose or not at all. In some other cases where it’s worn properly, it is worn in the wrong situation or environment.
For instance, you see people driving their own car, often alone using the air conditioner and still wearing a facemask. Sometimes some persons find it necessary wearing it in their houses, you know flats or apartment when in reality they have no CONVID-19 case in the house.
Apart from the specialised or recommended ones, go out and you will see various types sown by emergency tailors and if not careful, you may be buying a supposed facemask that will block your breathe and incapacitate you. That is why you are to use it only when in a crowded place or close contact with another person or a suspected infected person or persons and ensure it is not that would block out the virus or prevent the spread and contraction.
Usage should be reduced as much as possible while noting to be careful not to use those hand made types that are in multiple layers or else, it blocks out your breathing and could be fatal.
Corona virus is real and claiming lives in hundreds and thousands so use the facemask and use it right. It is not just to use it but using the right mask the right way. * DOyin writes from ilorin via e-mail: cdoyin@yahoo.com
