Coronavirus: wear that facemask

Our readers have their say on facemasks, the remarks of an actress, a hospital set up quickly and accommodating stranded passengers

epa08185748 A woman wears protective mask during her visit to Global Village in Gulf emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 01 February 2020. The coronavirus, called 2019-nCoV, originating from Wuhan, China, has spread to all the 31 provinces of China as well as more than a dozen countries in the world. The outbreak of coronavirus has so far claimed 259 lives and infected more than 11,000 others, according to media reports. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency. EPA/ALI HAIDER

A UAE resident being cautious. EPA

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Regarding the report Trump advises voluntary mask use against coronavirus but won't wear one himself (April 4): Dr Anthony Fauci, the infectious disease expert, is right. In fact, wearing face masks has lowered the infection rate in countries like South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The World Health Organisation is considering revising its guidelines on face masks and how it can help lower the transmission of viral infection. Face masks are meant — not to protect you from inhaling the particulates — but to prevent a carrier, symptomatic or asymptomatic, from infecting others. If done right, this may prove even more effective than physical distancing in certain scenarios.

Joanne Rico, Head of Marketing and Sales, Bareen Cluster at NMC Healthcare Abu Dhabi

UAE is taking the right steps and doing what is necessary

Regarding the report Coronavirus: Dubai Airports sorts accommodation for stranded passengers (April 3): I have a feeling we will remain indoors until the end of April, maybe longer. The UAE is taking all the necessary tough steps. That much is clear to all. There is a penalty to non-compliance and that is how it should be. It is good that the authorities have such measures in place. It feels safe here. I am truly so proud of the UAE.

Christina Toebast, Dubai

An actress needs to check her attitude

Regarding Emma Day's report 'Put them in the desert': Kuwaiti actress Hayat Al Fahad under fire for telling expatriates to go home (April 2): that statement is shocking. Half of 'these people' built the infrastructure her country depends on and probably most of the hospitals too. She should be "isolated" in the desert for an attitude like that.

Name withheld on request

A hospital inaugurated at impressive speed

Regarding Callum Paton's report Coronavirus: UK's Prince Charles opens NHS Nightingale critical care unit in London (April 3): this has to be commended. The people behind it have put this together with amazing speed and efficiency. Well done.

Cabilin Gerona, Dapitan, Philippines

May testing facilities reveal who is safe to enter the country 

With reference to the report Coronavirus: Almost 3,000 Covid-19 tests conducted at drive-through facility in Abu Dhabi (April 3): it is encouraging to learn about the hi-tech coronavirus mass testing facility set up at Abu Dhabi.

I hope this speeds up the early return of young international students with valid UAE resident visas stranded abroad. Also, whatever the plans are to bring back residents stranded overseas, I hope young students stranded on university campuses are accorded priority over the remaining 29000 residents visa holders.

Further information on this matter would be a very welcome relief to several worried parents in the country like me.

H James, Abu Dhabi

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