Zimbabweans 'Forget' How To Wear Masks
Many people are no longer wearing face masks following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the lifting of an inter-city travel ban and the re-opening of schools last month.
The wearing of face masks, hand washing with soap and running water, and social distancing are some of the COVID-19 preventative measures that have been in place since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, the wearing of face masks remains a legal requirement under a new law announced by the Government of Zimbabwe and anyone found defying this directive will be fined ZWL$500 or imprisonment of up to one year.
In central business districts of cities and towns and in residential areas, a significant proportion of people wear face masks incorrectly or not all.
A survey by The Herald in Harare’s Glen View high-density suburb and Chitungwiza revealed how communities have become complacent. Grace Chidau a local resident and water committee member said:
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The majority of people no longer wear face masks because there is this a general assumption that Covid-19 is no longer in Zimbabwe because of few fatalities.
Some people just wanted to first witness people dying locally, to believe that Covid-19 is real rather than relying on statistics. We have lots of doubting Thomas’s here.
Another resident, Amos Riziye said people are not wearing masks because of the blazing summer heat. He said:
People are no longer wearing masks whether in public transport like Zupco, going for shopping or even at their workplace.
They only wear them temporarily in places like the central business district where there are restrictions or where chances of getting arrested by the police are high.
Even the elite wear them incorrectly hanging on their chin or necks.
As of October 22, Zimbabwe had 8215 confirmed coronavirus cases, 236 deaths and 7725 recoveries.
