Going With COVID-19 As The Theme, Sand Artist Sudarsan Pattnaik’s Latest Creation Urges People To Wear Masks

New Delhi: Internationally renowned sand artist, Sudarshan Pattnaik created a new artwork to raise awareness about how to wear a mask properly. With the message ‘Fight Against COVID-19’, the artwork depicts the right way to wear a face mask. The sculpture features two men wearing masks. While one of them wore it in a wrong manner, the other one shows the right way to wear a mask to avoid contracting the virus. Mr. Pattnaik, the Padma Shree Awardee shared a video of his artwork on social media.

Also Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: Sand Artist Sudarshan Pattnaik’s Art Calls People To Support The Fight Against COVID-19

In a tweet, Mr. Pattnaik wrote,

Wear your #Mask properly Plz! My Sand Art at Puri beach in Odisha. #StaySafe

Wear your #Mask properly Plz!
My SandArt at Puri beach in Odisha. #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/5aSpTBQ5DB

— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) July 20, 2020

Mr. Pattnaik’s sand art garnered a lot of praises from the netizens including government officials.

Wear Mask Properly !! https://t.co/QUnIJMp0Yz

— Dr. Piyush Singla (@dr_piyushsingla) July 21, 2020

A Twitter user wrote in appreciation of Mr. Pattnaik’s work,

Sir your social messages reaches to the heart of the people. So apt in this time of pandemic.

Sir your social messages reaches to the heart of the people. So apt in this time of pandemic. #SandArtWithMessagehttps://t.co/JNuYH7VgqJ

— Raj (@ConquistadorRaj) July 21, 2020

Another user wrote,

If only people would wear a mask in the first place. Anyways, Sir you again brought down the heavenly sand to carve this beautiful message. Your work is always inspiring for us. Thank You @sudarsansand Sir.

If only people would wear a mask in the first place. Anyways, Sir you again brought down the heavenly sand to carve this beautiful message. Your work is always inspiring for us. Thank You @sudarsansand Sir.

— Ankit (@tygonnytes) July 20, 2020

Also Read: Say No To Single-Use Plastic: Sand Artist Sudarshan Pattnaik’s Ganesh Chaturthi Art Comes With A Message

Earlier in June, Mr. Pattnaik created another sand art to encourage people to take up the responsibility of their own safety and wear a mask when in public. While sharing his art on Twitter, he had said,

Be responsible for your own safety! Make sure to cover your nose & mouth properly with mask.

Be responsible for your own safety!
Make sure to cover your nose & mouth properly with #mask .
My SandArt at Bhubaneswar airpot.#IndiaFightsCorona #WearAMask #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/NC1Bc2aoCd

— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) June 27, 2020

Protect yourself & others. “Let's Make our own mask “ at home.
Join the #MaskIndia movement. My today’s installation SandArt on canvas . #IndiaFightsCorona #StayHomeStaySafe pic.twitter.com/jVwAzK9UoP

— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) April 8, 2020

Experts say that wearing a face mask while going out during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is an important defense measure against the virus. Dr. Surya Kant, Professor and Head of Department of Respiratory Medicine, King George’s Medical University (KGMU) Lucknow highlighted,

I see so many people including some of our political leaders with their masks pulled down to the chin or hanging in the neck. This is sheer carelessness, towards yourself and others. Wearing a mask is of absolutely no use if not worn properly. You should also never touch your mask and however tempting it may be to remove your mask for a moment, doing that could expose your fingers and face to the very virus you are trying to avoid.

How To Wear A Face Mask Properly, As Per WHO Guidelines

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), masks are effective only when worn properly. It advises people to follow these steps to protect oneself from COVID-19 using masks:

– Properly wash hands before touching the mask.
– Wear only clean, breathable face masks- medical or fabric. Do not re-wear the same mask as it could expose the person to contaminants.
– Put on the mask, holding it by the ear loops and not the fabric. It should fit snugly against the sides of the face leaving no open spaces.
– Press down on it over your nose for a more comfortable fit.
– Make sure that nose, mouth and chin are covered.
– After putting the mask on, one must not touch it again until it’s time to take it off.
– Wash hands immediately after removing and disposing of the mask

While wearing a mask is an important measure of precaution against COVID-19, WHO says that face coverings alone cannot protect people from the infection. It advises people to maintain at least one metre distance from others and wash hands frequently and thoroughly, even while wearing a mask.

Also Read: Coronavirus Crisis: Community Transmission Taking Place In India, Here’s What Experts Have To Say

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.