01 Apr 2020

Caregivers have been encouraged to keep people living with disabilities safe from contracting coronavirus.

A press release from Botswana Council for the Disabled (BCD) says it includes those hard of hearing and intellectually challenged.

Guardians with visually impaired persons or children are also encouraged to describe carefully the proper washing of hands as prescribed by health officials.

“They should let them literally feel their hands as they demonstrate to them, and they should make sure to do it by themselves and they do it right as some may need assistance,” the release says.

For those who are intellectually challenged, guardians are encouraged to repeat the message as many times as possible and demonstrate until they are able to follow or engage them by using colourful pictures.

Guardians are also encouraged to teach PLWDs to wash hands with soap and water regularly and use sanitisers if available as well as teach them to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing and wash with soap and water thereafter.

Furthermore, they are uged to avoid contact with people who have flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever and running nose.

Parents and guardians are also urged to stay safe from COVID-19 by adhering to all measures put in place by government. ENDS