Don’t keep the mask below your nose or take it off when coughing – Virologist warns

Virologist, Sebastian Eugene Arthur, has cautioned Ghanaians to desist from keeping the nose masks beneath their noses or taking it off before coughing.

Stressing on the issue, he said it has gotten to the point where even some politicians in the country, who instead of setting a good example, practice this careless act.

“We need proper education on how to use the mask. Most people keep these nose masks hanging beneath their noses, on their jaws. It is not the best. Pardon me but I have seen a couple of politicians even do that,” he told Berla Mundi in an interview.

He emphasized that in order for the mask to be the most effective, it must be as snug to the face as possible, covering both the mouth and nose up to the nose bridge.

He also said if a face mask completely covers one’s mouth and nose, it can block the release of virus-filled droplets into the air when another person coughs or sneezes.

This according to him slows the spread of COVID-19.

“These masks shield against the large droplets that come from a sick person's cough or sneeze, but when they're too loose they can't block the tiniest particles that may carry coronavirus,” he added.

Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced the lifting of the 3-week lockdown on Greater Accra and Kumasi, effective today Monday, April 20, 2020.

He still maintains that all other social distancing measures be observed indicating that churches, Schools both Public and Private, will remain shut.