Use of Face masks; Miscarriage of policy by state governments

By Paul Esemuze,Ph.D.

It is no longer news that some state governments such Akwa Ibom and Ondo state have reeled off policies to make wearing of nose and mouth masks compulsory for everybody. I make bold to say that this policy is miscarried.

The wearing of nose and mouth masks is still a highly debatable issue. Medical experts have warned repeatedly that masks should only be worn by those in the front line of the fight against covid-19.

They also said people may wear it only when they are in highly infectious places such as hospitals and burial of victims of covid-19.

Same medical experts have stated unequivocally that covid-19 is not airborne. It is only contagious. This means one can only contract it by physical contact.

At worst, one may inhale it directly from a victim that sneezes or coughs. This is even at a very close range.

If any government must make masks compulsory, why should it be bought by already impoverished people?

Obviously, the mask project is simply to give business to friends of the government. I heard a committee is already in place to work out modalities for mass producing the masks. This of course includes selecting the tailors that will do it.

There lies the exploitation, nepotism and insensitivity! Well, government can afford to ‘dash’ tax payers money to their friends all in the name of producing masks. I stand vehemently in opposition to this scheme. It’s ill-conceived and an added burden to people. I feel greatly pained each time governments announce conditions for palliatives. I hear all sorts of slovenly phrases as underprivileged, vulnerable, handicapped etc.Big question I have been asking is Who is not vulnerable now?

Masks have not proved to be a dependable panacea for covid-19. In areas like America, Italy, Spain where people sleep with their masks on, death toll is exponentially on the rise!

Wearing nose and mouth masks will put one under constant temptation to touch one’s face which we have been warned not to do. I watched with smiles as Kano state governor repeatedly adjusted his mask while he was on TVC live interview recently. His fingers repeatedly went to the mask. He used the same fingers to adjust the microphones in front of him. Was that safe? Your guess is as good as mine.

Maintaining and disposing masks will create more complications. Government is creating a situation whereby covid-19 will spread like wide fire as some users of masks cannot maintain them. Worse still, some users will dispose infested masks carelessly.

My humble submission therefore is that government should maintain the status quo. That is, they should let the people be. Free air itself is a natural healer. If government must enforce compulsory use of masks, it should distribute them to people who need it.

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