The Chinese have been observed wearing them for years to protect from inhaling polluted air. But now the tide has turned and people all across the globe are taking to wearing masks to provide a layer of protection against breathing in contagious Coronavirus droplets as well as protecting others from those people who have colds or coughs.
At the onset of Coronavirus, there appeared to be a distinct rebellion against the value of the public wearing masks and that people should certainly not be using surgical ones – those were in short supply anyway and it was essential that they be left for the medics. But gradually, the viewpoint changed from country to country and for some it even evolved into law that citizens should not go outside without a face mask. The Czech Republic is convinced that their Coronavirus case numbers remained lower because very early on they declared that all citizens when going outside had to wear a mask whether homemade or purchased. Ethiopia under its current state of emergency also states that all people when in public spaces should wear masks.
Wearing a mask should not in any way make you relaxed about not catching Coronavirus – it merely offers a layer of protection and Social Distancing and frequent hand washing and sanitizing must be adhered to rigourously as well.
The WHO advocates the followingL
“Before putting on a mask, clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
Cover mouth and nose with mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.”
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) advocates the following:
“CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.”
Face mask production is underway in Addis – producing and selling reusable washable Cotton masks. Three social enterprises are making and selling them:
Arakele Fashion Design College in Yeka/Kassanches/British Embassy area. The cotton masks (colours vary) cost 40 etb. Call 0994505050
Salem’s Ethiopia in Bole Edna Mall/Bole Bridge area
The cotton masks cost 35 etb. Call 0911645619
Sabahar in Old Airport/Makanissa
The white cotton masks cost 35 etb. Call 0113-215112
