WhatsApp group distributes masks in Longleng

Our Reporter
Dimapur, July 2 (EMN): Sensing the possible increase in demand for personal protection equipment (PPE) like face mask amid spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in the state, ‘Phom Shangdü’, a Phom community WhatsApp group, has initiated ‘The kindness campaign’ with a mission to produce 30,000 face masks.

The group felt that wearing masks would be the new normal till the cure for the novel coronavirus is found. ‘The kindness campaign’ was initiated to ensure that every individual from Phom community in Longleng district is not deprived of the basic requirement for good health and to contain the virus from spreading.

‘The kindness campaign’, which began on May 23 with free-will donation, had set with a target of manufacturing 30,000 masks. The masks were distributed to the frontline workers including the district administration, bank employees and village guards, covering all the villages in Longleng district.

Hongkam Phom, administrator of the WhatsApp group, told this newspaper that the distribution of face masks culminated on July 2. The distribution began on June 30 and covered 41 villages.

‘The kindness campaign,’ he said, was initiated taking into account the importance of wearing and owning a mask not only for those residing in towns but also in villages. Since wearing face masks has become a new normal, it was observed that some people in the village could not even afford to buy it, he informed.

Instead of distributing the surgical mask, which is for single-use, the group decided to manufacture reusable and washable ones, he stated. The masks were stitched at the Phom Lempong by the Lempong tailoring unit.