Face mask mandate should be back on the table

BY NICHOLAS ADERINTO

COVID-19 cases in Nigeria have dropped, with an average of 223 new cases recorded each day. The figure is 14% of the highest daily average reported since the pandemic began. However, daily coronavirus update has shown an increase in cases across nearly every state in recent weeks.

The recent rise and a simultaneous upswing in hospitalisations have shown a need for urgent public regulations, especially enforcing mask use for all, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. The decline in recorded cases has been responsible for a new behaviour towards masking when masks are most needed.

If every citizen eligible for vaccination is vaccinated, we may be able to avoid mask mandates. The Nigerian population, on the other hand, is mainly unvaccinated. Nigeria has so far given out only 7,130,171 doses of COVID vaccines. Assuming that each individual requires two doses, this would only be enough to vaccinate roughly 1.8% of the country’s population.

Coronavirus is still spreading among people who are not vaccinated. Since the outbreak began, the country has seen 207,695 cases and 2,747 deaths caused by the coronavirus. Masks and social isolation are crucial in the fight against Covid-19, especially because roughly 92% of Nigerians are still unvaccinated. Masks are still necessary for both the vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. In the vaccinated population, there have been occurrences of infections after being vaccinated.

Masks are effective to slow the spread of the virus. This has been proven in recent months. Masks and vaccines are targeted towards the same goal; to prevent infection and virus transmission, and they have achieved this in different ways. Rather than viewed as inconveniences, masks and vaccines should be seen as working together and helping one another. Everyone who wishes to lower their risk of contracting and transmitting the virus should use both.

Face masks play an essential role in the prevention of covid-19. They are affordable and easy to use. The efficacy has been proved in lab trials to prevent substantial amounts of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. And even in the real world, there is evidence that face masks avoid spreading the virus. According to a comprehensive study published by a coalition of researchers from numerous think tanks and American institutions, face masks effectively prevent the spread of the virus.

The popular idea about face mask is that it safeguards people merely against toxic substances in the air. However, the more critical job of maks is to protect others from an infected wearer. This is due to the unique characteristics of the virus. Approximately a third to half of cases are caused by persons who have not or have not yet experienced symptoms. The virus will spread even if everyone with symptoms stays at home.

The policy of East Asian countries in curtailing the disease supports the use of masks. Masks have been donned in their communities for years to prevent pollution. Thus, adherence to masks was more accessible when the pandemic started. Mask-wearing is unusual in African countries like Nigeria.

While vaccination protects from severe disease, the unvaccinated community is at a significantly higher risk. As the virus continues to spread, even silently, it makes the pandemic even harder to prevent.

The vital point is the cost of the pandemic and that masks are cheap. While masks will not stop the pandemic on their own, masks can help protect people and rebuild the economy. Governments should enforce mask-wearing in public platforms.

Nicholas Aderinto, a Writing Fellow at the African Liberty, can be reached via [email protected]