Yes, the majority of Members of the 54th Legislature have ignored Covid-19 health protocols despite calls by the National Public Health Institute (NPHIL) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health for the public to keep abiding by health safety measures.
Members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, went to the polls to elect their Deputy Speaker.
The use of face masks, observance of social distancing to prevent the further spread of COVID-19; and avoidance of shaking of hands was merely seen, even though some of the lawmakers had on face masks but not in the majority.
Not only were they not wearing face masks, but they were not also observing social distancing as they lobbed across the floor.
Even the Speaker and all of the contestants were seen without the use of face masks or observing social distancing as they went about their lobbying process to ensure they were elected by their colleagues.
It can be recalled, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, Health Minister has said it is now a difficult task for people on the continent of Africa and Liberia as a whole to abide by the social distancing health protocol, and therefore, the wearing of masks will now be a must, especially in public places in Liberia.
Dr. Jallah said, “This will help reduce the mode of transmission.”
At the regular news conference held in Monrovia on Monday, April 20, 2020, Dr. Jallah called on all Liberians to abide by the masks wearing in order to save each other and the country at large.
Meanwhile, Dr. Soka Moses, Epidemiologist said that there is a need for more mask-wearing
“People need to wear the appropriate masks, wear them appropriately, consistently; you know, especially when they’re in public places.”
Dr. Moses said that the outbreak is widespread, and therefore the wearing of a mask is imperative, adding “Some people wear the masks or bring them down sometimes when they’re talking and then pull them off, playing with the mask is not correct.”
