BY EMBUKANE LIBOSSO
With breathable cotton cloth masks now approved by World Health Organization due to the scarcity of surgical masks in this COVID-19 pandemic, Kenyan fashion designers are burning the midnight oil. They are providing masks to alleviate the shortage.
Designers like Teq Binti from Zuri Afrique have taken to the streets of Nairobi and Kisumu to hawk their cotton cloth masks, using the Facebook platform to get more orders. Yvonne Odiambo from Afrostreet Kollections on a Facebook post notes:
“To everyone who has supported us. Thank you!
Through buying these masks, by tomorrow we will have produced 156-170 more masks to donate to those who can’t afford to buy them.
Suggestions to how and where we can distribute is highly welcome.”
“Our masks are made of two layers of 100% breathable cotton materials and are washable for re-use.”
“In between the layers is a non-woven filter material to fortify protection against any liquid in case someone coughs/sneezes near you. This should be removed and disposed correctly after use.”
“N.B: We have improvised this particular solution by mimicking surgical/N95 masks *in the best way we can*”
“Secondly, it is better having a mask on. The mask prevents you from touching your face, (i.e. mouth and nose) known entry points of the virus.”
“Thirdly, when you wear a mask you not only protect yourself, but others.”
With the Kenyan government announcement this week that everyone will be required to wear facemasks when using public transportation, Avido, a designer from Kibera – teaming up with Project Kenya and Uweza Foundation – have created facemasks and given them freely to their community.
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