Masks are obligatory when you go into a building. Bajaj drivers, security personnel and shop workers all have masks.
This is not to say that everyone is wearing the properly though. I was in Village Supermarket today and all the bakery staff had masks but they were under their chin and hanging around their neck.
I told one of them that their mask was no good if it wasn’t covering their nose and mouth and he agreed but said it was too hot. I sympathise. In this climate anything which covers your nose and mouth makes your face extremely sweaty.
I have been taking a mask with me when I leave the house but only put it on when I am amongst other people. Even then I can only bare it for about 10 minutes. The sweat round into my mouth and the mask because sopping.
Masks come in all sorts of designs here but the vast majority are made from decorative dress fabric. I am pretty sure they are all almost completely useless when it comes to containing the spread of viruses. They are more fashion than function.
Some foreigners have managed to get their hands on some fancy masks with some sort of filter on the front.
This week I am tempted (not sure why) to buy a mask from a man on the road outside my house. It was sold a Masai mask presumably because it’s made of traditional Masai fabric.
It is very scratchy, frayed and inconveniently has four ties. The fabric is very loose and would not even stop dust let alone invisible pores. Anyway I suppose I felt as he had gone to the trouble to get them made and walking around selling them I should support him and his enterprising spirit.
Masks are not the only thing being sold on the streets. Today a girl ran pu to me shouting Madam, Madam. She has a pack of half a dozen bottles of hand sanitiser, of which I already have 5 litres so I politely declined.
As Tanzanian cases creep slowly northwards (480 now), we have overtaken our neighbours, Kenya and Uganda both of which implemented harsh lockdown rules and punishments. Tanzania is very relaxed about the virus, partly due to the belief of those in power that the power of prayer will sort you out if you get sick and you should take refuge in a church because no virus could survive there. will mean you.
God help us all. We will need more than fashion masks to keep this virus at bay – we need more leadership.