A number of global leaders and prominent celebrities continue to join the #SafeHands challenge, a social media campaign initiated and launched last weekend by World Health Organisation (WHO) to show people how to properly wash their hands in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic outbreak. The #SafeHands video challenge was launched last week by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to ‘promote the power of clean hands to fight Coronavirus’. It highlights simple things each person must do to protect themselves and those around them from Coronavirus, including handwashing with soap and water or using an alcoholic disinfectant to cleanse ones hands. The challenge has since been taken up by many prominent people from across the world who have posted videos washing their hands, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Brazilian football legend Kaka, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, among others. President Paul Kagame is among the first global leaders who joined the campaign after he was challenged by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and the head of state passed on the challenged his compatriots from different countries to take it up. I joined @WHO #SafeHands challenge. Handwashing is key to preventing the spread of #COVID19. I challenge President Kenyatta @StateHouseKenya, @Macky_Sall, @MagufuliJP, President Tshisekedi @Presidence_RDC, @CyrilRamaphosa, @BorisJohnson, @KGeorgieva to join in by sharing a video pic.twitter.com/udaVPCexCJ — Paul Kagame (@PaulKagame) March 15, 2020 Since he joined, a number of high profile figures followed as they continue to join the SafeHands challenge. They include First Lady Jeannette Kagame, Ange Kagame, Senegal President Macky Sall, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Francophonie Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo. I am participating in the @WHO & @DrTedros #SafeHands challenge. Thank you dad @PaulKagame. Challenge accepted!❤️ I now challenge @cakamanzi @Contact_Makeda @eliz_tanya @MariaSharapova @Zain_Verjee @SoniaRolland @GaelFaye @YKaritanyi @agnesbinagwaho. pic.twitter.com/gTD8e0sl9O — Ange.I. Kagame (@AngeKagame) March 17, 2020 Meanwhile, prominent celebrities like Tennis superstar Maria Sharapova (who was challenged by Ange Kagame), British model Naomie Campbell (challenged by Sharapova), and former CNN anchor Isha Sesay have also participated in the challenge. You got me out of my robe for a brief minute, @AngeKagame. Challenge accepted in an 80’s hair scrunchie ? #SafeHandsChallenge #StayHome #please ?? Thanks for starting this initiative, @PaulKagame. We miss Rwanda so much ??? pic.twitter.com/f1fjAGgYTw — Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) March 18, 2020 Locally, television personality Makeda Mahadeo, REG Basketball Club and National Team captain Olivier Shyaka took the challenge on Thursday while a video of musician DJ Pius’ son, Abby Rukabuza, taking the challenge also attracted huge attention of Twitter users. The challenge has been trending on social media as a number of people continue to share videos while handwashing. Washing hands with soap remains one of the most efficient ways to contain the virus that has so far been confirmed in over170 country and people are advised to regularly wash their hands to avoid further contaminations. Rwanda has so far registered 11 COVID-19 cases which prompted government to suspend commercial flights until further notice. Meanwhile, activities that involve large gathering including concerts, sports games were suspended and studies from pre-primary to university were halted for two weeks since Monday, March 16, while a number of private and public institutions have opted for online service delivery to the general public.
