Bolgatanga, May 5, GNA – Mr Desmond Yaani, the Builsa South District Chairman of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) in the Upper East Region is advocating the effective use of face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19.
He said there were techniques involved in donning and doffing face masks which most members of the public were not conversant with, “People need to be properly educated on how to use these face masks, ideally, once you have a face mask on, you are not supposed to touch it, even if you do, you need to wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.”
The Chairman, who is an Ophthalmic Nurse, observed that there was much concentration on the Ghana Health Service (GHS) protocols on the prevention of the virus, “It is important to observe these protocols but as a nation battling with this pandemic, I think we are paying less attention to how these face masks must be used.”
Mr Yaani said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Bolgatanga when it sought to assess the use of face masks among residents in the Bolgatanga Township.
He observed that most people often left their masks hanging on their chins, especially when they are talking, and eventually pull it to cover their noses and mouths with their bare hands, and unconsciously forget to practice proper handwashing or the use of alcohol hand based sanitizers.
“This is more dangerous and one could easily get infected because the face masks on you attract all kinds of invisible organisms. There is a way to properly use these face masks and authorities should lead education on that.”
Mr Yaani further observed that officials at most of the Banks in the Municipality often donned gloves as a way to protect themselves from the virus, and said some of the Bankers inadvertently used their gloved hands after holding money to hold their phones and handkerchiefs.
“This is very dangerous, the GHS and we in the health sector need not to only propagate the message on the protocols, but enhance education on the use of these basic PPE by non-health professionals,” he said.
At most public places the GNA visited, it observed that many residents adhered to the use of face masks, while others went about their daily activities unconcerned.
At the premises of the Bolgatanga branch of the GCB where several customers gathered to transact business, the practice of social distancing was not observed even though they had face masks on.
Mr Methodius Ngmengyille, a Customer of GCB told the GNA that even though officials of the Bank had initiated measures within the banking hall to ensure social distancing, some customers were not cooperating and that was the cause of the crowding at the premises.
At the two major markets in the Municipality, the GNA saw a combined team of Military, Fire Service, and Police personnel led by the Municipal Assembly who ensured that traders and customers in the markets used face masks, while those without masks were prevented from entering the markets.
Public facilities such as internet cafes, mobile phone shops among others within the township also had “No face masks, No entry” signs at their entrances with ‘Veronica Buckets’ placed at vantage points for hand washing.
Generally, the use of face masks among residents in the Municipality is increasing.
GNA