The use of face mask as a preventive/protective measure against the spread of COVID 19 in Abuja is defeated by the low personal hygiene standards of the city’s inhabitants,
Comfort Yakubu
In an attempt to tackle the spread of the COVID 19 in Abuja Nigeria’s Capital, The Federal Capital Territory Administration retreated it’s commitment to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Corona virus Disease Health Protection Regulation 2021 as released by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. The Federal Capital Territory Administration agreed to sanction erring corporate organizations and ensure the effective use of the mobile court system for trial of offenders.
The administration noted that commercial transportation is one of the major modes of transmitting the disease, and resolved that all road transport unions will be engaged to ensure strict enforcement of the provisions of the regulations. Yet commercial vehicles within Abuja still overload their vehicles packing people together like sardines without regards for social distancing. In the process of carrying out its mandate , the Task force had made several arrests of violators especially residents who refused the use of face mask and commercial business centers who violated the protocols were also closed. This has however not made any meaningful difference as residents still defy COVID19 safety protocols.
The use of face mask as a preventive/protective measure against the spread of COVID 19 in Abuja is defeated by the low personal hygiene standards of the city’s inhabitants, adherence to this approach is averagely followed albeit hypocritically, says Chia Terna Suemo, an Abuja resident, he explained that The hypocrisy comes in when they use it as a social symbol: when among social class peers they lower the mask, but raise it to the face as soon as a lower class person comes into proximity.
People wear these masks and don’t wash hands regularly, shake hands readily, rub their face, eyes, pick their noses and ears and don’t observe social distancing. Another resident who gave his Name as Mr Obinna said face mask has become a fashion and a new way of dressing in Abuja. A lot of people don’t wear it the right way because of the very fact that it chokes, so you mostly see it worn under the chin or below the nose to allow air. According to Alabidun Abdulrahaman another residents of Abuja, the truth is adherence is low because a lot of people still feel COVID is a hoax even though we’re getting bad report from NCDC. But with the new government order people are beginning to take it serious.The perceived ignorance on the reality of COVID19 is really killing people silently and yet still many are not disturbed. Abuja, being the capital of Nigeria is not left out. The COVID compliance is horrible. Hardly do people wear face mask and those who do sometimes are not using it properly. Bipelegha Royal, says she makes conscious efforts to always be on face mask whenever she is going out. ‘’Generally I think Adherence is low however residents wear facemasks, when they want to gain access to organizations
