Local makes masks for east residents
“Our goal is not only to provide 3 000 masks to the residents but also to help them with food.”
A Pretoria resident surprised Mamelodi residents by providing them with 500 handmade masks to protect them from the Covid-19 virus.
Ophelia Onibon, owner of Sleek Afrik, said she was inspired to make masks for the residents because many of her staff were staying in Mamelodi.
“I designed and made the masks myself and then handed them out to families in the area on Saturday morning,” she said.
“Because the masks need to be washed every day for safety, I provided each resident with two masks, free of charge.”
Onibon said, spending the morning in Mamelodi, it was clear more still needed to be done to raise awareness on Covid-19 and the lockdown.
“The residents in Mamelodi are going about their business as usual. In the suburbs we are afraid to let our children outside yet here children are sent to spaza shops to do shopping.
“There is also a very clear need for food in the area. Our goal is not only to provide 3 000 masks to the residents but also to help them with food.”
On Saturday, Onibon with leaders in the community worked until around 17:30 to hand out the masks.
“The residents were delighted to receive their masks. You could see on the happiness on their faces.”
The benefit of everyone wearing a mask is to reduce the amount of #COVID19 and influenza virus droplets bring coughed out by those with the infection #CoronaVirusSA #CoronaVirusUpdate pic.twitter.com/OC6rNcUYTu
— National Department of Health (@HealthZA) April 11, 2020
The health department, up until recently, advised residents to follow the regulations of the World Health Organisation and only wear masks when sick.
However, the department has since started recommending the widespread use of masks.
ALSO READ: Use protective equipment properly – health
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