Use of Face Masks to control the spread of COVID-19 is a challenge

By; Jjunju Francis

19^th May 2020

Government must ensure full control of the face masks in as far as health standard measures are concerned to control the spread of Coronavirus.

Doctor Ronald Kasyaba from the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau says a recommended mask  should have three layers for it to be able to control the spread of jams now that public movement is slowly resuming when there is not yet a vaccine for COVID-19.

Currently there are a number of masks, some locally made or home made from ordinary pieces of cloths while others are medical like N-95. The ordinary ones cost between 1,000/= to 2,000/= while the N95 goes up to 15,000/=

In his 14^th address against the spread of Coronavirus at the state house Nakasero last evening, May 18, 2020, President Museveni said the lockdown was extended until June 2, 2020, for the government to have enough time to produce masks for all Ugandans that will be distributed free of charge and must be won in all public places by all from a person of 7 years and above.

Dr. Kasyaba says a three year mask helps to control the spread of jams, the first layer is normally soft, the middle part is hard or soft plastic like and the outer part is soft purposely to stop transmission of jams from one another. But the locally made from clothes if not control may worsen the situation by increasing the transmission of jams and Coronavirus.

Another point of worry is how may face masks will the government offer Ugandans because most of those on the market said to be recommended by health experts are not reusable, does an ordinary Ugandan have money to keep buying masks?

Another fear is also whether people have full knowledge of the use of face masks because they may steady be another source of transmitting Coronavirus due to reckless touching, calling for sensitization on the use of face masks before they are distributed.

The three categories of masks; one for people mean for public protection, the second for doctors to protect themselves and the third like N-95 that is used by medical doctors while getting samples must be differentiated.