The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has cautioned against sharing of facemasks or recycling of those picked from dump sites.
Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, gave the warning on Tuesday at the daily press briefing of the taskforce.
He noted that the PTF was aware of the ongoing practice of sharing masks and picking of masks for recycling from dump sites, pointing out that such acts impose a responsibility on Nigerians to educate others on the dangers inherent in these.
According to Mustapha, with the exception of fabric masks, every disposable used mask was hazardous medical waste and should be disposed of properly, preferably by burning.
He stated that people could be infected through reuse of masks, noting that the virus could remain on surfaces for several hours.
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Meanwhile, the SGF has called on corporate citizens and public-spirited persons to invest into rural health infrastructure, pointing out that given the impact of the COVID-19 on the global economy and the country’s national income, government alone could not bear the burden.
He said: “The PTF has commenced focus on community ownership, guidance, acceptance and implementation in the control of COVID-19.
“This certainly requires a great deal of investment in strengthening our primary health care system, the manpower and the infrastructure.
“Since the recording of the index case, Nigerians have clamoured for research into home-grown solution to COVID-19.’’
Mustapha said that the PTF, as part of its mandate, had continued to promote research and had been appealing to all researchers to go through the validation process so as to enable humanity benefit from their hard work.
