RENTING COVID-19 MASKS DISTURBING

REPORTS that some transport operators on the Copperbelt are renting out masks to passengers are extremely disturbing and should be probed and verified urgently by authorities. Some taxi drivers especially in Kitwe were reportedly renting out masks to their passengers despite knowing that this was against the health regulations. Though the Copperbelt Taxi Drivers Association […]

RENTING COVID-19 MASKS DISTURBING
REPORTS that some transport operators on the Copperbelt are renting out masks to passengers are extremely disturbing and should be probed and verified urgently by authorities. Some taxi drivers especially in Kitwe were reportedly renting out masks to their passengers despite knowing that this was against the health regulations. Though the Copperbelt Taxi Drivers Association (CTDA) has refuted the claims, health inspectors working with the association’s leadership should investigate the matter thoroughly to establish the truth. CTDA general secretary Sydney Chileshe said the association had issued strict instructions to drivers not to rent out masks to passengers but encourage them to always wear their own protective outfit before jumping on a taxi or bus. “We cannot allow this to happen, especially that a directive has already been made by the Head of State that is supposed to be followed by everyone. We are strict as an association and do not see that happening with our members even in the near future,” he stated. This is gratifying to hear but it has been said that there is no smoke without fire. So instead of rushing to brush the claims aside, the association should probe the matter and if found to be true, be stopped right away. While we find it hard to believe that this could be happening, but anything is possible during these difficult times of Covid-19.Some people with crooked minds, keen to make quick bucks could attempt such. Coronavirus is highly infectious and renting out masks to passengers simply means helping the spread of the disease which has so far seen Zambia record 94 confirmed Covid-19 cases and three deaths in the last 24 hours as of yesterday. Globally over 2.98 million cases have been recorded with 207,000 deaths and 870,000 recoveries. With a disease of such magnitude, it would be insanity of the highest order for any taxi driver or indeed anybody else to endanger people’s lives by allowing them to use the same mask over and over. We urge the authorities to get to the bottom of the matter and if true, culprits must be found and charged with a criminal offence accordingly. Used masks must be disposed of in line with the Ministry of Health guidelines and by the same token, we implore citizens to refrain from indiscriminate dumping of the used masks to avoid rapid spread of the virus. Preventing the spread of Covid-19 is everyone’s responsibility but this is only possible if citizens changed their mind set and ardently observed the health control measures of social distancing, wearing of masks sanitising frequently and avoiding mass gatherings, among others. But it is still worrying that some citizens have continued defying the health measures by gathering in secret hideouts to imbibe beer despite the risks of spreading the disease. On Sunday night, 70 beer guzzlers were arrested by police in Chifubu township in Ndola after they locked themselves in a bar to drink. Such carelessness and determination to gather for the sake of alcohol, only serves to risk the lives of thousands of people to infections and should not be allowed to go unpunished. The Ndola incident and report of masks being rented out just go to show how irresponsible people can be towards the fight against Covid-19. But once again, we appeal to people to become responsible by simply adhering to the Presidential directives and health measures, if the battle against Covid-19 is to be won. The Sun