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Malawi President Defends Against His COVID-19 Complacency

Lameck Masina

   BLANTYRE - Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera has defended himself
   from public criticism for not putting on a face mask during his
   scheduled three-day official visit to Tanzania Wednesday.

   Chakwera has been under public criticism in Malawi following pictures
   on social media showing him with no face coverings when he met with his
   Tanzanian President John Magufuli.

   The move violated COVID-19 prevention guidelines Malawi instituted in
   August making wearing masks mandatory in public places.

   According to the guidelines, those who do not adhere to the measure
   would be fined about $15.

   In his weekly national address Saturday evening, Chakwera said he did
   not wear a face mask in Tanzania as a sign of trust for Magufuli's
   position on COVID-19.

   Magufuli believes there is no COVID-19 in that country, hence no need
   for preventive measures.

   He says "the second reason why I did not put on a mask was to
   demonstrate my trust in my counterpart, President Magufuli. And one of
   the ways of showing trust in one another is putting one in a risky
   situation to prove that you have trust that your friend will protect
   you."

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