#MaskIndia: Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan endorses TOI's initiative

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#MaskIndia: Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan endorses TOI's initiative

NEW DELHI: Union health minister Harsh Vardhan supported The Times of India's #MaskIndia campaign and urged the people to use a homemade face mask to curb the spread of novel coronavirus in the country.In a video message, the Union minister said that a face mask can lower chances of coronavirus entering your respiratory system and thereby check its spread."I appeal to all of you to make sure you wear a mask whenever you step out of home, and also motivate others to wear a mask," he said.The health minister said that the people can use any clean cloth to make a homemade face mask."A mask can be made at home using a clean cloth. A homemade mask is very effective. It is really simple. I have made this mask with khadi cloth," he added.The minister called upon the people to join hands and fight coronavirus together."Go ahead and put together a homemade mask. Wear it and help me and the nation. I support Times of India's Mask India campaign," he said.The Union minister was speaking in support of the recently launched campaign by The Times of India encouraging people to use homemade face masks as a preventive measure against the spread of coronavirus.Several health organisations across the world have recommended the use of face masks as one of the preventive measures in the fight against coronavirus.The Union health ministry, too, recommended the use of a face mask. Several states in the country have already made wearing face masks mandatory for the general public while venturing out.The Times of India campaign is designed to further encourage people to use a homemade face mask to check the spread of coronavirus.