Harmattan period: need to wear a mask

---

Extract from the article: The harmattan is currently blowing on Togo. It is a period that goes from mid-November to the end of March. This period is characterized by a cold and dry wind full of dusty particles.

---

The harmattan is currently blowing on Togo. It is a period that goes from mid-November to the end of March. This period is characterized by a cold and dry wind full of dusty particles. During this period, wearing a mask or « muffler » is the preferred way to protect oneself from the dust that this wind gives off.

Since the advent of the Coronavirus, an important part of the Togolese population has been able to integrate the wearing of protective masks in its daily life. Indeed, many people say they have integrated it in view of its importance in the protection against diseases.  As a result, some stalls selling mufflers are overrun. Clearly, these elements of protection are snapped up like hotcakes and almost everyone wears them as in a health center. In this harmattan period, the muffler is not neglected.

Romuald, 22 years old, a student at the Faculty of Law at the University of Lomé confides: « It's just to protect myself against the covid-19 and the dust. It is necessary to protect oneself especially in this time of harmattan. This wind is always full of dust and microbes and toxic particles. I believe that people will understand the need to wear a muffler ». Da Mama, a woman in her thirties who sells cereal products at the Adidogomé Assiyé market, does not hide the advantages of wearing a protective mask. « With this dust, if you walk without a mask, you will get a cough and a cold », she warned. Every time she takes the road, she wears her mask.

Beware of diseases

In this harmattan period, the risk of contracting a disease is high due to the microbes, viruses and parasites that are present in the dust.  According to Mrs. Micheline Nang Samboung, a social and health assistant at the home and hospital assistance service of the NGO Volontaires Internationaux pour la Promotion de la Sante en Afrique (SADH-VISA), « the diseases frequently contracted during this period are influenza, coughs, colds, meningitis, pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, respiratory infections and tuberculosis. This is why it is imperative to wear dust muffs when going out ». In some health establishments such as the CMS Adidogomé, the CMS Adétikopé, the CMS Démakpoè, the clinic « Le Safran » in Baguida, the consultation services are full of patients every day. Cases of illnesses, allergies or respiratory infections linked to the harmattan are recorded.

The main weapon to fight against dust is to protect the respiratory tract. And the muffler is very important especially for asthmatics, says Dr. Dieudide Dovonou, general practitioner at the clinic « Le Safran » located in the Baguida district of Lomé. « The muffler is not only for Covid but it has helped a lot. By wearing the muffler, you will have less flu, less cough, less rhinitis, less runny nose in this harmattan period because people systematically protect themselves against Covid, which also protects them from dust », says Dr. Dovonou.  Moreover, the dryness can be felt at the respiratory level. The respiratory tract is very dry with all its consequences including break-ins and infections.

Harmattan periods are periods of great variation in temperature of the environment and consequently of the human body. During the day, it can reach 39 or 40 degrees, especially in the northern part of the country, and in the evenings and early mornings, it is excessively cool. This variation of temperature going from one extreme to another will weaken men and weaken their immunity. This fragility of immunity can be responsible for the resurgence of severe complications in diabetics and hypertensives.

Abel OZIH