A medical doctor, Dr. Edward Barile has stressed the need to adhere strictly to the use of face-masks, against the backdrop of law on compulsory use of facemasks in public places and the need to wear the masks appropriately in order to help prevent the spread of coronavirus pandemic, which is currently confronting many nations of the world, including Nigeria.
The medical practitioner stated that the use of face masks among the people of Rivers State and nationwide has become necessary, in conjunction with observation of other protocols, to effectively fight the COVID-19 scourge.
Dr. Barile expressed optimism that wearing face masks appropriately and embarking on proper hygiene practice such as regular hand washing with soap and water, including the use of sanitizer and observance of social distancing, the war against coronavirus can be won successfully.
He disclosed that there is wide abuse of the suitable way to put on the face masks in order to achieve intended results. Dr. Barile advocated the use of multi-layered facemasks, which according to him will guarantee sure protection than the single layered.
According to him, the more light retention of any facemask fabrics has, the more the protection, adding that the single layered facemask could hardly guarantee a maximum protection against COVID-19 when subjected to the light test through any source of light, including the sunlight.
The medical doctor noted that many Nigerians wear their facemasks in odd places by either hanging it on their neck or below the nose and chin. He said that the ideal way to wear the face mask is by ensuring that the mask covers the nose down to the chin. He lamented that many people put on their facemasks wrongly with a false sense of security.
But Barile advised that before putting on the face masks people should do hand washing with soap and water and then apply the hand sanitizers. He warned that Nigerians should desist from touching the fabrics their facemasks are made from but touch only the elastic bands attached to it to avoid the danger of infection. He also decried situation where some people wear the facemasks for a long time without washing it.
Dr. Edward Barile who spoke on a radio programme centred on COVID-19 said many people get their facemasks from roadside hawkers and vendors which may translate to unknown sources and as such it is advisable for them to wash before use, while calling for proper hygiene by washing and ironing the facemasks frequently.
He equally stated that proper hygiene is required to remove it by first carrying on hand washing and application of sanitizers before removal.
According to the consultant, family physician and chairman of Nigeria Society for Family planning, Rivers State Chapter, if everybody abided by the rules there would be protection against the spread of COVID-19 generally.
