By Bakah Derick in Bamenda
Wearing a face mask as a preventive measure against the Coronavirus pandemic has become an integral part of the dressing code for many in Bamenda like elsewhere in the world. For those who wear it, it is a feeling of comfort and discomfort.
It is a nationally and an internationally recommended measure for reducing the spread of the coronavirus as infected persons can cough or sneeze the virus in the air in droplets.
Though not readily available in rural parts of the North West Region, those in urban areas who can afford and access the facial wear can be seen wearing them on the streets of Bamenda and near by communities.
Like Rev Fr Hippolyte Tanfen wearing a face mask is of absolute necessity not just for him but also for others around him. Starting was hot however easy. "It wasn't easy at the beginning but now its OK. I am very much conscious of my health and that of the people around me.prevention is better than cure. When i see the rate at which people are dying in other countries because of this corona virus, we have to be serious."
According to Wilfred a face mask vendour in Bamenda, the sales are good but not as expected. He had face mask in his shop but decided to add after the Prime Minister laid out government prevention measures against the coronavirus. "People are not buying as I thought. Some say when they wear the mask they cannot breath well. Someone people even insult me that we should go away with this our government lies." Rough interpretation from his pidgin response.
Patient a face mask wearing city dweller makes the breathing difficulty observation. "I feel comfortable that am protecting my self but on the other hand as am not use to wearing it. I face difficulties with breathing in it" she said
Away from a private initiative by a Bamenda based fine and graphic artist well known here as Bobo Leennox, no other public action has been engaged to ensure that city dwellers wear face mask despite sensitizations by local radio stations.
"We are working on micro progs, talk shows and call-text-in with competent experts to address issues raised. Also ensuring that we make use of all our national language broadcasters and pidgin language at this time. They dedicate some special time to educate the public on preventive measures. We will pursue this throughout. On our news as well we have prepared a special jingle to usher in various angles on the COVID-19 beginning Monday. Though we started in the past days, from Monday it will be specially exclusive." Roseline Akah Obah CBS Bamenda radio station manager said.
Yet like many others, Stella a council worker in Bamenda has not used a mask yet is since the out break of the coronavirus pandemic. "Honestly I started using face mask from November 2019. That’s when traveling out of the Region. Purpose: To avoid inhaling dust on the Bamenda-Babadjou Highway. Since outbreak of the virus, I have not put on mask because I have not traveled" She said...
Sensitization campaigns are however multiplying on the use of face mask, frequent hand washing, coughing in elbows, maintaining reasonable distances with each other amongst others.
Local council officials are also leading campaigns though experts say wearing mask is more useful to infected persons and those in direct contact with infected persons like health workers or caregivers.
Updated April 11, 2020
In a recent outing, Cameroon's Prime Minister Dion Ngute announced the obligatory wearing of face mask from April 13, 2020 across Cameroon. The situation is changing with many engaging local fabrication of the face mask with media associations and common initiative groups engaging in community sensitisation and distribution of the obligatory facial wear.
Wearing a face mask as a preventive measure against the Coronavirus pandemic has become an integral part of the dressing code for many in Bamenda like elsewhere in the world. For those who wear it, it is a feeling of comfort and discomfort.
It is a nationally and an internationally recommended measure for reducing the spread of the coronavirus as infected persons can cough or sneeze the virus in the air in droplets.
Though not readily available in rural parts of the North West Region, those in urban areas who can afford and access the facial wear can be seen wearing them on the streets of Bamenda and near by communities.
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| Bobo Leennox arts distributing mask in Bamenda |
Like Rev Fr Hippolyte Tanfen wearing a face mask is of absolute necessity not just for him but also for others around him. Starting was hot however easy. "It wasn't easy at the beginning but now its OK. I am very much conscious of my health and that of the people around me.prevention is better than cure. When i see the rate at which people are dying in other countries because of this corona virus, we have to be serious."
According to Wilfred a face mask vendour in Bamenda, the sales are good but not as expected. He had face mask in his shop but decided to add after the Prime Minister laid out government prevention measures against the coronavirus. "People are not buying as I thought. Some say when they wear the mask they cannot breath well. Someone people even insult me that we should go away with this our government lies." Rough interpretation from his pidgin response.
Patient a face mask wearing city dweller makes the breathing difficulty observation. "I feel comfortable that am protecting my self but on the other hand as am not use to wearing it. I face difficulties with breathing in it" she said
Away from a private initiative by a Bamenda based fine and graphic artist well known here as Bobo Leennox, no other public action has been engaged to ensure that city dwellers wear face mask despite sensitizations by local radio stations.
"We are working on micro progs, talk shows and call-text-in with competent experts to address issues raised. Also ensuring that we make use of all our national language broadcasters and pidgin language at this time. They dedicate some special time to educate the public on preventive measures. We will pursue this throughout. On our news as well we have prepared a special jingle to usher in various angles on the COVID-19 beginning Monday. Though we started in the past days, from Monday it will be specially exclusive." Roseline Akah Obah CBS Bamenda radio station manager said.
Yet like many others, Stella a council worker in Bamenda has not used a mask yet is since the out break of the coronavirus pandemic. "Honestly I started using face mask from November 2019. That’s when traveling out of the Region. Purpose: To avoid inhaling dust on the Bamenda-Babadjou Highway. Since outbreak of the virus, I have not put on mask because I have not traveled" She said...
Sensitization campaigns are however multiplying on the use of face mask, frequent hand washing, coughing in elbows, maintaining reasonable distances with each other amongst others.
Local council officials are also leading campaigns though experts say wearing mask is more useful to infected persons and those in direct contact with infected persons like health workers or caregivers.
Updated April 11, 2020
In a recent outing, Cameroon's Prime Minister Dion Ngute announced the obligatory wearing of face mask from April 13, 2020 across Cameroon. The situation is changing with many engaging local fabrication of the face mask with media associations and common initiative groups engaging in community sensitisation and distribution of the obligatory facial wear.