Overwhelmed with the response, the IMA state unitpresident, Dr Lobsang Tsetim, said that masks, if worn by all,will help reduce virus transmission by 80 per cent.
"Studies have shown that wearing a face maskdrastically reduces the chances of COVID-19 transmission. Ithas also been documented by the Czech Republic that masks, ifmade mandatory for every individual in a society, virustransmission could drastically reduce by about 80 per cent,"Tsetim said.
More than 5,000 netizens were found to have uploadedtheir photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram on Wednesday -hours after the campaign - #Mask4Arunachal was launched bythe association.
Dr Minggam Pertin, the state unit general secretary ofthe IMA, requested people to stitch disposable masks at home,instead of hoarding the N95 variety - primarily used bydoctors, nurses and other healthcare workers.
"Given the shortage in supply of masks, we areappealing to all weavers, tailors, NGOs, self-help groups andindividuals to come up with their own do-it-youself ideas. Wehave also appealed to the people active on social media topopularize the campaign by wearing any facemask and posting apicture with the hash tag #Mask4Arunachal," the IMA state unitgeneral secretary said.
Those manufacturing masks have been asked todistribute them for free or sell them at nominal rates, Pertinsaid, adding that the organisation had on Wednesday doled out2000 masks to people.
The IMA campaign has also drawn the attention of ChiefMinister Pema Khandu, who said it was time to "actindividually and fight collectively".
"I am encouraged to know that the IMA - ArunachalChapter has launched an initiative of #mask4arunachalcampaign. Under this campaign, the association intends tosensitize for 100% masks for all to prevent the spread of thevirus (sic)," Khandu said in a Facebook post.
Wearing masks is highly recommended as it helps curbvirus transmission in public places, where social distancingnorms seen difficult to abide by, the chief minister said.
"A WHO estimate has said if 80 per cent of thepopulation wears a mask, the outbreak of the virus can bestopped immediately. Therefore it is my earnest appeal to allto support the IMAs #Mask4Arunachal campaign... Experts havepointed out that even the homemade masks can be beneficial inhelping prevent the spread of the virus.
"We all are soldiers in this long-drawn battle and ifwe fight it well, protect ourselves by wearing a mask, we cantogether defeat our enemy," Khandu added. UPLRMS RMS