With a public health consensus quickly emerging about wearing cloth masks to slow the spread of COVID-19, NDP Leader Ryan Meili encouraged the people of Saskatchewan to begin wearing cloth masks in public, while continuing to stay home as much as possible and practise physical distancing.
鈥淪askatchewan people are staying home as much as they can. But every day, essential workers are going to work. Every day thousands of people are going to pharmacies, grocery stores, medical appointments, their jobs. Because they have to. Which is why we have to use every measure available to protect people,鈥� said Meili.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we鈥檙e now encouraging people to take one additional measure to slow the spread of COVID-19: wearing a non-medical grade cloth mask when you have to leave the house.鈥�
With U.S. President Trump seeking to block the shipment of urgently needed medical equipment to Canada, Meili emphasized that masks such as N95s and surgical masks intended for healthcare workers must be reserved for healthcare workers. People who follow the recommendation instead, people can purchase cloth masks, or make their own out of household materials. Meili released two videos on April 5 with tips on homemade masks and their appropriate use.
鈥淵ou can easily make a simple mask to help keep yourself and others safe when you need to leave the house,鈥� said Meili. 鈥淭his is not a replacement for physical distancing. But it can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.鈥�
