By Francis H. Murray
Amidst increasing evidence of community transmission of Covid-19, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has emphasized on the use of facemasks as protection against the virus.
Opinions are split on the efficacy of the mask, but many believe that its use is an important precautionary measure.
From the inset of the pandemic the Sierra Leone government had made it a policy for the use of the mask. Visitors weren’t allowed into State House without one on. This policy is gradually being extended to other government facilities.
Politico understands that a policy statement is expected at any time from the government making it compulsory for everyone to wear facemask when in any public space.
Hraold Thomas, Communications Lead at the EOC, explained that because Covid-19 is a droplet, it can easily transfer from one person to another when the carrier coughs or sneezes.
‘‘When there is some evidence of community transmission, then the use of mask is overly important, because the mask can be used to protect yourself and also protecting others, Thomas, who is also the Acting Programme Manager of the Health Education Department in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, told Politico.
Thomas however warned that as good as the mask is, it is not the sole answer to Covid-19, stressing the need for people to take other precautionary measures as constantly announced by the government.
“If you just rely on mask, then you are missing the point,” he said, adding: “And how to wear the mask is also important, because if you are not careful you will end up infecting yourself as the outer lawyer of the mask is also prone to pathogens.”
According to the EOC spokesman, besides the facemask, the public should stick to the advice of maintaining social distancing, constant hand washing and report all suspicious health issues, especially with symptoms similar to those of Covid-19.
The World Health Organization had said that while the facemask is good, the focus should be on health workers who are most at risk, as well as people attending to sick people.
The United States government’s policy is also the use of facemask by everyone. The US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control is even encouraging the use of masks made from clothes.
But as the use of the mask becomes popular, concerns emerge about accessibility. A single facemask on average costs Le5000. Thomas said this is unaffordable by many Sierra Leoneans, hence he said the government is encouraging people to use locally made masks.
He said the use of locally made mask is especially important because the rush for it could deplete the available stock that is meant for health care workers.
And amidst drop in clothing sales, tailors have stepped up to meet the growing demand for locally made face masks and thereby making up for lost revenue due to the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Alhaji Jawara, a tailor in the Central Business District of Freetown, told Politico that sewing face masks brings the much needed revenue that they need at the moment.
‘‘With the high demand on the locally made masks, we have cash coming in, which offers a big relief to us. If we are given directives by any organization to go into massive production, that will be a big relief to us and our family,” said Jawara.
But not everyone is in for the use of facemasks.
Aminata Kamara, a trader at the Siaka Steven street, said she does not wear a facemask because she had listened to an audio on Whatsapp warning against it because it had been infected with the virus and sent to Africa.
“We care about our health, but with the nature of messages put out, we no longer know what to believe. Although the government has advised people to use facemasks in public places, we are still scared to use it,” Kamara said.
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