Where is your mask?

Volunteers for Bangladesh and Jaago Foundation on Thursday arranged a campaign to inspire and create awareness among people to wear masks amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Volunteers of the initiative titled “Apnar Mask Kothay? (Where Is Your Mask?)” – supported by Beximco Pharmaceuticals – participated in this campaign from their respective districts, and set out to raise mass awareness by taking to the streets. 

As many as 6,000 volunteers participated from Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Barisal, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Mymensingh divisions

Bangladesh National Cricket Team player Taskin Ahmed inaugurated the campaign during an event held at the capital’s Gulshan 2 area. 

A volunteer talking to a policeman, who is on duty without a mask, during Jaago's Covid-19 awareness campaign in Dhaka on November 12, 2020 | Md Manik/Dhaka Tribune

While inaugurating the campaign, Taskin said that not a single person should take the ongoing health crisis lightly as the virus is still here. 

“A few of our best cricketers got infected with Covid-19 despite maintaining the health safety guidelines. A volunteer provides a mask to a person during Jaago's Covid-19 awareness campaign in Dhaka on November 12, 2020 | Courtesy 

“No one should take this lightly,” he added.

He urged all to wear a mask when outdoors. 

A volunteer provides a mask to a person during Jaago's Covid-19 awareness campaign in Dhaka on November 12, 2020 | Courtesy 

In Dhaka, the campaign took place in front of the EMK Centre in Dhanmondi, Banani Police Outpost in Banani 11, Mirpur 10 Circle, IDB Bhaban in Agargaon, Motijheel’s Brothers Union Club ground, and Gulshan 2 Circle.

Korvi Rakshand, the founder and executive director of Jaago Foundation said: “Though people use hand sanitizers yet they are reluctant to wear masks for the lack of habit and being unaware of the importance of it.”

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Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, he said that they could have done the campaign online but people are now occupied with online shopping and other cyberspace-related issues and therefore, he thought that taking to the streets while following the health safety guidelines will draw more attention to their cause.  

A volunteer holds a placard with a message to wear masks as a maskless pedestrian walks by during Jaago's Covid-19 awareness campaign in Dhaka on November 12, 2020 | Md Manik/Dhaka Tribune

The volunteers discussed the ongoing coronavirus situation in the country and made people aware of the importance of using masks to reduce the spread of the deadly virus. 

The volunteers made some handmade posters and placards that read “Hey, Brother, Where Is Your Mask” and “Coronavirus Lives Where There Is No Mask.”

The general people praised their efforts and encouraged them to continue with these types of campaigns, however, a few frowned upon their campaign and showed their reluctance to put on a mask in public places. 

Md Niamoteulla, a volunteer at the campaign, while sharing his experience, said that a man asked him to follow the Islamic dress code before he could advise him to put on a mask. 

Another volunteer, Nafisa Tasnim, said: “We are getting a lot of positive responses from people when we ask them to put on their masks.

“However, there are some people who say they do not need masks as God will protect them from Covid-19.”