More and more Nigerians are welcoming the suggestion of a face-mask-for-all initiative.
First, it was the Cross River State Government that endorsed it and insisted that no one was going to be allowed to move around in the State without wearing a face mask. An opinion piece by a Family Health doctor, Agbor Neji Ebuta, pushed for the policy as an alternative to flatten the COVID-19 infection curve.
https://everyday.ng/opinion-flattening-the-covid-19-infection-curve-the-cost-effective-option-in-support-of-mask4all/
Reactions from a Federal Director, who pleaded anonymity, reads: “It has given me a better understanding/appreciation of the issue with a realistic and cost effective way of addressing the scourge without much stress on our health facilities/workers and the nation/citizens economies within a reasonable timeline.
“I wish those charged with the task of managing the situation in Nigeria would have the time to go through this article as it presents a viable alternative that fits our desperate situation, in my view.
“Added benefit is the opportunity to stimulate the economy by way of local production of the mask against costly importation at such a time that we need to conserve our scarce forex for other crucial needs. I see a wonderful business opportunity for a smart local entrepreneur especially for the elites who are politicizing the matter with so called audio monies in the name of making donation that may not be honored. They could use such monies to set up micro platforms for the massive production of these mask thereby creating/empowering the citizens and to a large extent earning forex for the country as the products could be exported to other African countries.
” Somehow I feel that as good as this idea is, it may not resonate with most of your colleagues and other experts given the present attitude and direction which amplifies the traditional approach with the assurance of personal benefits to the drivers/operators of the process.
At the moment, I have no idea how this article could penetrate the system but I think you should do an executive summary to encourage busy executives/persons to peruse as well as to continue with the advocacy though time is of essence in the circumstance.
More grease to your elbows and best wishes all the way. ”
Another medical doctor who abbreviated his name as A. T. simply added in a post: “Voiced this opinion in our meetings here severally…but ogas always say, where will the people get the masks?… So adoption (of) homegrown masks will do the magic”