The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba [Dr.] Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has admonished residents of Oyo town to stay safe by taking some simple precautions against COVID-19, such as physical distancing, wearing of masks, keeping rooms well ventilated, avoiding crowds, cleaning of hands, and coughing into a bent elbow or tissues.
Oba Adeyemi gave the admonition in his Christmas and New Year message signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye.
According to the monarch, ‘’maintain at least a 1-metre distance between yourself and others to reduce your risk of infection when they cough, sneeze or speak. Maintain an even greater distance between yourself and others when indoors. Make wearing a mask a normal part of being around other people. The appropriate use, storage and cleaning or disposal is essential to make masks as effective as possible.
Clean your hands before you put your mask on, as well as before and after you take it off, and after you touch it at any time. Make sure it covers your nose, mouth and chin. When you take off a mask, store it in a clean plastic bag, and every day either wash it if it is a fabric mask, or dispose of a medical mask in a trash bin. Do not use masks with valves.
The Royal Father who cautioned people against spaces that are closed, crowded or involve close contact, pointed out that outbreaks have been reported in restaurants, choir practices, fitness classes, nightclubs, offices and places of worship where people have gathered, that are often in crowded indoor settings where they talk loudly, shout, breathe heavily or sing.
He stated that the ‘’risks of getting COVID-19 are higher in crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected people spend long periods of time together in close proximity’’, adding that ‘’these environments are where the virus appears to spreads by respiratory droplets or aerosols more efficiently’’, so taking precautions is even more important.
Said he, ‘’Outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor ones, particularly if indoor spaces are small and without outdoor air coming in. Avoid crowded or indoor settings but if you cannot, then take precautions by open a window and increase the amount of natural ventilation when indoors’’.
Alaafin also counseled residents on the basics of good hygiene.
In his words, ‘’regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. This eliminates germs including viruses that may be on your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth.
From there, the virus can enter your body and infect you. Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately into a closed bin and wash your hands. By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from viruses, which cause colds, flu and COVID-19. Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently especially those which are regularly touched, such as door handles, faucets and phone screens’’.
The Paramount Ruler who stressed the importance of Personal hygiene in everybody’s life, explained that many people do not understand how to take care of themselves properly.
