ZOMBA, Malawi, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- With the growing numbers of COVID-19 cases in Malawi and the vast availability of protective materials in the streets, an organization of youth in Zomba city have come up with a civic education plan in educating locals on proper ways of all protective materials.
In efforts to ensure that everybody is safe, community chiefs are encouraging their members to put on face masks in public order to slow down the spread. However, some people are finding it hard to do the preventive measures properly.
According to Harrison Chibwe, a businessman who sells locally made fast food in Zomba central market, many people in the market are not following safety measures constantly, despite the availability of different methods of self-protection in the market.
"It's sad to notice that many people are failing to follow preventive measures properly. This is so because many lack information and some out of negligence," he said.
Different health scholarly work has indicated the importance of wearing masks properly. According to John Hopkins Medicine, wearing face masks is efficient only if worn properly, covering both the nose and mouth are essential.
"We have noticed that people in our communities are not using protective materials properly, we know that much as they are trying to protect themselves from the pandemic, chances are high that their efforts might be in vain because of lack informative knowledge," Jimmy Nyondo, head of the youth community group said.
"As youths, we are worried about the large numbers of COVID-19 that our country registering at the moment. We are sure that if measures are to be taken, we can reverse the situation quickly," he said.
In this campaign, young men and women are teaching people in the community best ways on how each member of the community can independently wear masks in public, efficient washing of reusable masks, proper handwashing and social distancing checks.
According to Nyondo, the education is being implemented through one to one conversations, community outreach and through music. As of August 2, Malawi COVID-19 confirmed cases had surpassed 4,000-mark. Enditem
