Very few villagers are using face masks; Assam COVID cases 1,87,718

STAFF REPORTER

GUIWAHATI: At a time when widespread use of face masks has been found to be one of the most effective tools to prevent fast spread of novel coronavirus, use of such vital apparatus is almost nil in many villages in the State.

Sources in the Health department said that despite the best efforts made by the State Government to create awareness about the use of face masks in this time of pandemic, majority of the villagers don't wear masks on various pretexts including health issues. Many villagers say that they feel breathlessness while wearing the face masks.

"Instead of wearing the face masks, the villagers — particularly in the districts of lower and central Assam — are seen using handkerchiefs and gamosas to cover their mouth and nose whenever they see police. Such a scenario prevails even in the villages across Hajo, Sualkuchi, and Boko — which are not very far from Guwahati," the source said. Women in villages use their dupattas as face masks. In certain Muslim-dominated villages in lower Assam districts namely Barpeta, Dhubri and Mankachar, women don't use face masks as they wear the burkha.

A doctor at Gauhati Medical College & Hospital said, "In fact, face masks can prevent many infections. Such masks, which filter out a majority of viral particles, can lead to a less severe virus infection. So, wearing face masks could result in mild or asymptomatic virus infection; and under such circumstances an infected person can recover fast," the doctor said.

On other hand, more and more people in Guwahati have started wearing face masks. Various types of masks, including fashionable ones, have arrived in the market to attract the people. But high prices here have compelled many city residents to buy face masks from online sites.

"Huge discounts are being given on masks in online shopping. I have purchased six pieces of N95 reusable masks on SNAPDL online shopping at Rs 350. The offline price of six pieces of the same masks is Rs 1,100," said Sadiq Zaman, a resident of Pan Bazar here.

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