Phila Sonke Wellness Initiative in partnership with Wits University and South African Society of Physiotherapy donate masks to Soweto
The initiative was targeted at senior citizens but there was enough for anyone who needed them.
South Africa is now at level 3 of the lockdown regulations, restrictions are now lifted from those of level 4 and 5. The lifting of restrictions meant that a lot of South Africans are going back to work and of course some activities will now be allowed.
However, this may also mean that the risk of getting infected with COVID-19 increases, thus everyone is required to wear a mask when in public, especially when using public transport and when spending time in spaces where physical distancing is difficult to practice.
Phila Sonke Wellness Initiative, in partnership with Wits University (School of Therapeutic Sciences, Physiotherapy and Pharmacy Departments) and South African Society Of Physiotherapy took part in helping decrease the number of infections, donating fabric face masks to the community of Soweto.
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Wednesday June 3, they were at Kopanong Hall in Dobsonville and on Thursday June 4, they were at Maponya Mall.
Initially, these donations were meant for senior citizens, but the organisation had enough to donate to all those who do not have the means to get proper masks.
Even better, to educate the community, the masks were packaged with an infographic detailing important information about the wearing and cleaning of a mask as per the recommendations by the Department of Health.
The provided masks were made to order by two small black-owned businesses in Johannesburg as an effort by Phila Sonke Wellness Initiative to empower local businesses. Collectively the businesses, Phila Sonke Wellness Initiative, Wits University and the South African Society Of Physiotherapy produced about 8000 cloth masks over 4 weeks.
Amy Harrison, Director at Phila Sonke Wellness Initiative mentioned, “Today marks a significant day as we continue to play our part in the community of Soweto. It is moments such as these that we feel unified and rooted in the determination to do good for those most exposed at this time.
“Education on the pandemic and information for prevention is critical in ensuring the spread is reduced. In addition to a mask, washing hands and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing with a flexed elbow can protect lives in the long run.”
“With the current pandemic we hope to help our fellow South Africans to get out and about. While we have very limited resources, we feel we could assist the less fortunate in our society acquire the important face cloth masks. These will assist in the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic especially among the vulnerable and less fortunate members of our project,” added the South African Society Of Physiotherapy.
“WITS Physiotherapy Department is committed to meeting the health needs of all communities in South Africa. We aim to be locally responsive and to be part of a solution in our communities. In the light of uncertainties raised by the COVID -19 pandemic, the physiotherapy department partnered with Phila Sonke on a “Wellness together project” to raise awareness on COVID-19 and to distribute masks to the most vulnerable population, the elderly and people with disabilities.
“There are people who want to wear masks but do not have the means to get a proper mask. We hope that through this project we will be able to meet their need. Physiotherapists treat respiratory conditions and thus if we do not contribute towards prevention of covid-19 spread, we may also be overwhelmed by the increased number of patients who will need chest physiotherapy,” concluded WITS.
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