Wear your masks when going in public – National Task Force

While the debate continues over the effective use of masks, the National COVID-19 Task Force has now agreed that they serve as a protective measure when persons must leave their homes, Prime Minister and chairman of the Task Force Moses Nagamootoo said on Saturday.

“Wear your masks,” Nagamootoo urged.

The former Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy has been supportive of wearing masks in public.

“Mask-up Guyana, it is the right thing to do. Every time a person goes out with a face mask that person is protecting herself or himself and also helping to protect the next person,” Ramsammy recently wrote.

Regarding the wearing of masks, the World Health Organisation (WHO), made these recommendations:

• If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected infection.
• Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
• Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.

When and how to wear medical masks to protect against coronavirus

• 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.
• Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks.
• To remove the mask: remove it from behind (do not touch the front of mask); discard immediately in a closed bin; clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.