The Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, Dr Betta Edu has admonished the people of the state to wear face masks, saying it is in their best interest to do so to avoid contracting COVID-19.
Edu, who is the Chairman of the Taskforce on Prevention of COVID -19 gave the advice weekend when she led the enforcement team through the streets of Calabar to ensure compliance.
Other members of the team that participated in the enforcement drive were the Secretary of the Taskforce, Hon Asuquo Ekpeyong Jr; Dr Mboto, General Ayim, Dr Janet Ekpenyong and Hon Ani Esin.
Edu urged Cross Riverians to strictly adhere to the policy of “No Mask, No Movement” which she described as a bold step in the right direction.
She said; “If we understand that when a person sneezes or coughs or even speaks aloud in an environment the micro-droplet emission can remain in the air for a long time or drop on surfaces when we don’t use a mask. For rooms with poor ventilation, little or no airflow (probably due to the use of AC or high humidity), the infected micro-droplets stay in the air longer.
“Another person without a mask will automatically pick this up into their respiratory tract when they enter same environment minutes later or when their hands which have touched contaminated surfaces get to their eyes, nose or mouth.
“The face mask shields you, fabric mask with the double layer like what is made from our garment factory in Cross River State will give protection to both parties such that even if any particle of the micro- droplet leaves one mask, with reduction in velocity, the infected micro-droplet loses the ability to penetrate the next face mask and infect the other person in same environment.
“This is a simple explanation amongst other reasons why we must use the mask. It has prevented the incidence of disease in some countries and broken transmission from person in others!
“Further, religious houses and schools should remain shut as we work together to keep COVID -19 out of our state”.
