Cambridge based charity Bisong Foundation will shortly be distributing almost 2000 face masks to mainly black and minority people across Cambridge in the fight against the deadly corona virus pandemic. The project codenamed “Wear a mask. Save Lives” was made possible through a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund and The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports

On receiving news of the grant, Bisong Foundation Chairman Michael Bisong, a former player for Cameroon junior national team now a resident of Cambridge city had this to say: “We are delighted to have received funding from the UK government working with The National Lottery Community Fund. This will enable us sew and distribute washable face masks to hundreds of people across Cambridge as we join in the national effort to stop the spread of the virus. In a small way, we will also reduce the financial burden people some of whom have lost their jobs to buy face masks”.

From July 24 2020, it is mandatory to wear a face masks on public transportation, shops, takeaways, post offices, and any other confined places throughout England. Defaulters will face a £100 fine though critics believe this will be hard to implement

Exceptions:

According to Government Minister George Eustice speaking on the BBC, these rules will not apply to store workers. He further stated that people will also not be required to cover their faces in places where this is not practical such as in a pub, cafe or restaurant. The same applies to children under 11, as well as those with certain disabilities.

Why wear a mask? (I protect you; you protect me):

The answer to this question is very simple. This is to protect each other The transmission of COVID-19 occurs mainly through microdroplets that are projected into the air, while breathing or speaking. By covering your nose and mouth with a mask, you limit the amount of these microdroplets you spray around you. The protection on our face limits the spread of the virus even though we are asymptomatic carriers.

Wearing a mask does not necessarily prevent you from catching the coronavirus, but the more we wear a mask, the more we help protect each other. This is why the state, on the advice of scientists, now makes it compulsory to wear a mask in all public places, such as public transport, supermarkets, grocery stores and pharmacies. Of course, we must add to this the regular washing of hands for at least 20 seconds, social distancing and the precaution of staying at home in the event of illness or symptoms, in order to minimize the risk of spread as much as possible.

For more details for free masks:

Michael or Hortence: 07956 057504/07585 112424.

www.bisongfoundation.org.uk

mail@bisongfoundation.org.uk