Tufton steps up COVID-19 sensitisation campaign - LA Lewis vows to continue anti-mask protests
Published:Sunday | November 22, 2020 | 8:03 AMRasbert Turner/Gleaner Writer
Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has stressed that the Government remains convinced that mask-wearing is an essential strategy to help curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus despite differing opinions on the matter.
Speaking during a COVID-19 awareness event in Spanish Town yesterday, Tufton said that there was scientific proof to support the effectiveness of masks in preventing transmission of the virus which has infected more than 10,000 Jamaicans and has claimed more than 240 lives in the island since March.
“We are aware that despite the scientific proof that the wearing of masks protect us from the virus and if we have it, others are protected, persons will have their views,” Tufton said.
“We are certain that for Jamaica to recover from the pandemic, wearing a mask, sanitising and social distancing is a must, and that [message] is what we are spreading through every town centres in the island,’’ he added.
He was speaking after the launch of a public-education campaign in the Old Capital dubbed ‘Mask Up Before You Talk Up’, which was followed by a march with 60 health aides from the St Jago Health Centre to the town centre.
The event came three days after a protest against the wearing of masks by persons said to be members of the Nyanpong Maroons.
Dancehall character Horace Lewis, also known as L.A. Lewis, who declared himself paramount chief of the group, said that the protests in opposition to masks will continue.
“We still believe that the wearing of masks is more dangerous than the COVID-19 pandemic that them talking about. We will continue to try and educate the nation as we as Maroons must continue the fight,” he said.