Wearing The Mask Perfunctorily Will Not Do
Anukriti is a student who dabbles in writing when she finds time.
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By Anukriti Roy
First publised on 2021-04-23 07:59:08
About the Author
Anukriti is a student who dabbles in writing when she finds time.
View all posts by this Author
Despite a ferocious second wave of Covid-19 running across India, many people are still treating the mask as an irritant that has to be worn just to escape punishment. This is highly irresponsible behavior. It is our collective duty to protect ourselves as well as fellow citizens by wearing a mask and wearing it properly.
The mask is the first shield against the dreaded coronavirus. It's efficacy in preventing infection has been proven. Thus, a mask is a must in public places (although it doesn't harm to wear one at home too, especially if one has visitors, and the visitors too should be asked to keep them on).
But wearing a mask just for the sake of wearing is the worst one can do. It has to be worn properly. Ever since Covid-19 infections started happening, the internet is full of graphics and pictures to show how a mask should be worn. Celebrities (the lead picture of this article shows Malaika Arora explaining proper use of the mask) have taken pains to educate people how to wear the mask properly. The government and the media have also taken the lead to educate people in this regard.
Yet, many Indians do not care about their own health and well-being, let alone that of their fellow countrymen. There can be no other explanation of people pulling down the masks below their nose and mouth and wearing them on the chin.
Although administrations all over India conduct periodic drives to ensure that people wear the mask properly, these are not enough. There have to be regular and sustained drives to ensure compliance. For instance, policemen carry out a drive everyday outside a market and prod shopkeepers and customers to wear masks properly. But as soon as they leave, people once again revert to 'chin-wearing'. Wearing masks perfunctorily will not do. We have to follow this basic Covid precaution religiously to help in combating the spread of the virus. Administrations have to wield the stick to ensure compliance.
Pic courtesy: malaikaaroraofficial/Instagram
