WHO to launch challenge to encourage wearing masks

The World Health Organization (WHO) will launch a mask challenge this week with partners from around the world to encourage people to send in photos of themselves wearing a mask, the organization's Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced on Monday.

The number of COVID-19 cases has increased more than five-fold to 17.5 million, and the number of deaths has more than tripled to 680,000 compared with the numbers three months ago, said Ghebreyesus, adding that the disease has caused damage socially, economically and politically.

He announced that the WHO will launch a mask challenge this week with partners from around the world to encourage people to send in photos of themselves wearing a mask.

"Being one of the key tools to stop the virus, the mask has come to represent solidarity. We're going to be spreading further positive messages about how everyone has a role to play in breaking chains of transmission. If you're a health worker, a frontline worker, wherever you are — show us your solidarity in following national guidelines and safely wearing a mask — whether caring for patients or loved ones, riding on public transport to work, or picking up essential supplies. As well as hand sanitizer, I carry a mask with me all the time and use it when I'm in places where there are crowds," said the director-general.

"By wearing a mask, you're sending a powerful message to those around you that we are all in this together," he added.

(Source: Reuters)

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