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‘Treat nose masks like underwear … wash them regularly’
Some people, especially head potters and truck pushers in the Koforidua municipality wear their nose masks for days without washing them.
The Spectator encountered some with dirty nose masks, whilst others have turned their nose masks inside out, thereby turning the dirty part which has already been contaminated to their nostrils.
With regard to nose masks made from fabrics, health experts have cautioned the public to put them in soapy water or bleach-lathered water immediately they are removed.
The directive further advises that the nose masks must be left in the soapy water for five minutes before they are washed, rinsed, dried and ironed for use again.
These directives, however, have fallen on deaf ears for these people who have refused to obey the safety protocols in the name of not having the means to get more.
In an interview with Musa, a truck pusher, he explained to The Spectator that he hardly had time to wash his nose masks and did not have the means to get more.
“Sometimes to make ends meet, I have to work all day and by the time I get home, I am tired to wash them. Meanwhile I do not have enough so I just turn it inside out and wear for the next day then wash later when I come home,” he said.
Akosua Sarfo, a head porter also said that she could not wash it regularly for lack of time.
But a Medical Officer, Dr Zara Addo-Yobo of the St Joseph Hospital at Koforidua in an interview with The Spectator expressed worry over the situation and stressed the need for more education on the use of nose masks.
Dr Addo-Yobo indicated that the nose masks were meant to prevent potential carriers of the coronavirus from discharging droplets of saliva, mucus and other fluids that could suspend in the air or end up on surfaces for two or three days.
“Wearing the unwashed or dirty nose masks which may have the coronavirus sitting on it for hours, inside out, and turning the dirty part to your nostrils may cause the person to inhale the coronavirus and thereby get infected,” she said.
She advised the public to “treat nose masks like their underwear and wash them regularly” to prevent them from acquiring the coronavirus.
“I therefore urge the public to adhere to all safety protocols, including social distancing, regular and proper hand washing, and respiratory hygiene among others to help stop the spread of the virus.”
From AmaTekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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