It is no longer news in Nigeria that the use of face masks has been made compulsory in many states in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and in preparation for expanded economic activities.
While this can be a welcome development as the use of face masks is a protective measure to mitigate the spread of Covid-19, it is however a drop in the ocean in terms of impact for a population whose majority have dangerously low levels of information about the virus and its transmission.
Economic activities are fraught with opportunities that increase the likelihood of transmission across people and places because they trigger the coming together of people on need basis which eventually engenders socialization behaviours.
With the mandatory use of face masks as economic activities prepare to rise in some states, there is bound to be a generalized sense of security during this pandemic.
However, this feeling is gravely a false sense of security if people are not adequately informed on the production, use, maintenance and disposal of face masks.
In fact, if the needful sensitization about face masks is not done as quickly as its fiat was made public, public health outcomes remain uncertain.
However, there remain questions of needed precautions to be taken during the production of locally-made face masks. First, how healthy are the people who are involved in the production of these masks? Obviously, there is need for more stringent measures in screening people who would be involved in face masks’ production.
In addition, how knowledgeable are these people on the specifications of face masks dimensions and materials? With face masks in different fabric textures and sizes, some of these masks makes breathing tough and are not skin-friendly.
Their differing sizes also compromise the essence of face mask as some of them do not cover faces adequately. Another rather worrisome gap in the local production of face masks is their packaging.
Many locally produced face masks are in dire need of packaging to prevent the exposure of the masks to disease-causing germs.
Compounding the situation further is the lack of ample sensitization on the use and removal of face masks. A lot of people lack information on hygiene tips to be observed before and after face masks are used and removed.
Hand washing is extremely vital before and after using a face mask, so is the proper washing of a re-usable face mask before and after use, especially the ones that are now locally produced.
In addition, whether you are using or removing a face mask, only the straps of the masks should be touched. The body of the face mask which is the part that covers the face should never be touched.
It is equally important for people who are in the distribution or sales of locally produced face masks to comply with hygiene rules.
The disposal of face masks is one issue that the public should never have limited information about. With face masks becoming essential parts of people’s accessories, there is bound to be carelessness in their removal, maintenance or disposal.
Disturbingly, with the attractiveness of many of these local face masks coupled with careless handling, there are high tendencies that children will have increased access to them while viewing them as play things.
If this scenario occurs, it will worsen the spate of community infections and put vulnerable people (elderly ones, people with health challenges and children) at increased health risks.
The need for more information from our health ministries, departments and agencies concerning proposed health interventions is sacrosanct. Just giving health orders and enforcing compliance is deficient. Dealing decisively with issues of misinformation and illiteracy actually saves lives.
- Bidemi Nelson, Shield of Innocence Initiative, Ibadan.
