the below questions were submitted via email.

Let me know the following for sec of others: 1.  There are many types of masks observed in the community, but which type of masks (PPE) is more effective to protect COVID -19  ? 2. Is there any plan to position  COVID 19  testing kits to each region or referral hospitals of Tanzania to speed up and give wide chance of more people to be tested.? 3. How do we insure the more risk staff  (our Doctors and nurses) who attend patients of COVID-19 ?  4. COVID 19 can be transmitted by air? 5. What can we do to overcome the problem of false positives and false negatives as we fight against COVID-19 6. the article published in late March in JAMA reported that blood as a specimen can only account for 1% detection of cases,  isn't this a threat that many affected countries using blood only as confirmatory specimen are likely having more false negatives? 7. Barakoa(Max) zakushona mtu zinausalama? Kwani saivi baadhi wanaambiwa unaweza kushona kitambaa ikawa Barakoa

Naomba mtoe muda kujadili khs matumizi ya barakoa hasa kwd makundi tete, na ambayo hayana uwezo wa kununua barakoa za viwandani au medical approved face masks.Kwa kuwa mm ni kiongozi na muhamasishaji hasa wa wanawake wafanyabiashara sokoni nipeni uhakika wa masks zipi anaweza tumia mwanamke mfanyabiashara sokoni. ukizingatia vipato vidogo walivyonavyo

Here are questions that came in DICOTA mailbox

There are many types of masks observed in the community, but which type of masks (PPE) is more effective to protect COVID -19 ? Is there any plan to position COVID 19 testing kits to each region or referral hospitals of Tanzania to speed up and give wide chance of more people to be tested.? How do we insure the more risk staff (our Doctors and nurses) who attend patients of COVID-19 ?

Barakoa(Max) zakushona mtu zinausalama? Kwani saivi baadhi wanaambiwa unaweza kushona kitambaa ikawa Barakoa

What can we do to overcome the problem of false positives and false negatives as we fight against COVID-19. Also, the article published in late March in JAMA reported that blood as a specimen can only account for 1% detection of cases, isn't this a threat that many affected countries using blood only as confirmatory specimen are likely having more false negatives?

Ahsante kwa fursa hii ya kusikia na kuuliza wataalam wazawa ambao mnaelewa uhalisia wa mazingira yetu.

is there any role of cloth mask on prevention of covid 19? many hospitals and individuals are resorting to cloth masks as surgical masks are not available at large. kindly clarify

i am oneric

Mwisho- how effective it will be to cut short the duration of COVID 19 pandemic if everyone wears a cloth mask?

Welcome Eric. Glad to have you on board.

Eric can you share the screen

Erick share screen please

Dr MINJA, Any slides to follow??

Its Ok Dr. You just continue

Dr. Minja... Tanzania is an informal & rural dominant society... Implementing any restrictions or intrusive measures in dealing with this pandemic is going to have serious challenges and risks. Sad as it may be, testing is a challenge in itself and may not reach the required levels. So while dealing with the dynamics of mobilization & containment, what can the populace do to remain resilient to this virus? Best practice lifestyle habits must be widely & loudly voiced. Though pure speculation on my part, I strongly believe the virus has been in Tanzania since the festive season...

Eric is there a database of available CHWs in Tanzania?

so glad to hear the importance of community workers being stressed and showcased finally

Centralization of testing is one of the great barrier in our battle against this deadly pandemic. you can just imagine, a person in Nyasa who feels unwell, when reports at health facility and suspected of COVID-19, he/she is to be isolated for some days waiting for test results from DSM. This poses a high risk to HCWs. labs at regional or zonal level wew

labs at regional level were to be equiped for testing

why is the training over a year

Do we have this standardized training/ orientation package of COVID 19 in Tanzania? I will be glad to have this document through my email which can be used to further our efforts towards curbing the pandemic.

the training to these CHWs

GAVI should support for paying CHCWs should be laveraged to allow them serve other non GAVI supported programs

How quickly can we use Digital health Technology to enable CHWs by giving people a way to check if they are at risk of the virus, At the same time, through technology and CHWs linking them to the right place to get help.

I second that....bottom up approach

I agree with them being instrumental in addressing the fear in the community.

can anyone confirm how many have been tested for C-19 in Tanzania? Is it around 400 people? Where is this crucial data point available?

Dr. Van Praag-very insightful analysis of the potential role of community health workers. How easy is it to pluck CHWs from TB or malaria and use them for COVID without disrupting services

No one confirms anything except the ministry of health

I think they have not been saying how many have been tested. Its kind of challenging to evaluate the trends with missing data.

I understand that some of CHWs are paid by the Government. Eg in Morogoro where SolidaMed have been working for some years now. These are working mainly in maternal and community health programs. We have also been able to work with them in other program including onchocerciasis and epilepsy

CHW preparedness and lack of Govt proclamation on their role in Covid response, in any is not there. Are we late? I think we are... What are other available options then?

Aidan by March 26 we had tested 273, so isn’t 400 an underestimate ?

Should we think of having partial lock down in Dar es salaam?

lets sell our Dreamliner and buy more ventilators masks more testing kits and build more hospitals

I’m intrigued by the Doctor’s observation that self motivated social distancing could be more effective than social distancing that is officially enforced!

May be @ Festo. Looking at our potential direction in relation to the transmission trend

Sweden (voluntary); France, Nigeria (officially enforced). Hardly makes a difference in transmission rates!

WHere is serikali failing to instate mask warering policyKwanini serikali imeshindwa

@Aidan-I also don’t think may you may achieve lockdown without enforcement of some sort

We need to empower our surveillance team, decentralize testing and get more people tested

@Sam nobody is buying planes because people are not flying. It will take a long time for the air industry to recover. Thousands of planes are parked in various deserts around the world

But lockdown without a thought of the many people working in the cash economy is shifting one health problem to another. Distances is key but we so not wish starvation upon people.

Public Masks wearing guidance should come from the MOH , I don't think if its clearly being stipulated by the politicians

Masks wearing has had some social stigma. People being mocked and laughed at...this makes it difficult for people to wear it. Thought?

responsible behavior is the key

Like in Sweden?

You can bring msala wako msikitini..

How realistic is it to have people responsibly keep distance (cultural change) when even personnel hygiene is a problem?

Social distancing have not been implemented in TZ, here is where we have not done much. Masoko yako very crowded. Makanisani nako bado issue ile ile. May be we need to have polices at these sort of places

These contradictions, amongst medical specialists is what adds to the general confusion. Why isn’t there a consensus amongst medical professionals with matter related to public safety?

Also Mosque you have to wash your hand, face and feet before you go in

Kwenye mosque ndani (kiimani) si wanapaswa kuswali karibu karibu na kutoacha nafasi?

The wearing of masks needs training on how to wear and care for the masks ...is that information being provided to the citizens?

in mosque ablution is always practiced routinely

Italy hotspot started in a religious gathering...

even here in the US people are walking around without masks.

Keeping distance is a big challenge especially in markets,transportation this should be enforced

A big problem i am seeing with masks is the way people are wearing them, can we use the HCW to assist the community members to wear them correctly?

today it was instructed that all Dar residents should wear masks every time we go out. no more issue of stigma . and people wear different type , fabric and colors

Talking of masks, the pores in kitenge may allow virus to pass through. It depends on the pore size. for instance we encourage chefs to use bead snoods and cover the hair however staphylococcus pass through. What is your take on this?

huku Tz hata wale ambao ni high risk hawavai mask yoyote, elimu bado iendelee la sivyo tutakwisha

Reusing the masks without the people knowing how to properly care for the masks also increases the risk of spreading the virus...I believe this is where the Gov’t and CHWs can come in

This thing tests the streghth and stability of country's governance. Doctors. Doctors have no final say,the only thing they can so is advise

Thanks Dr Eric for your response

interesting @Abbas

how do you mitigate and plan to contain that which you don’t understand the magnitude level of it though?

we still have a long way to go,huku mtaani people still think Corona is a just a story,they dont believe unless they see a neighbour amekufa because of it.

Behavioural change takes time, Wouldn't a partial/total lock down would enforce distancing between people, and break the chain of infection.

hatukusikii vizuri dr

Dr Kondo,Iam having hard time hearing you

sauti inatetema, connection nadhani haiko vizuri kwake

Dr. Kondo hasikiki vizuri

dr hatukupati vizuri

husikiki vizuri

having the same problem

Dr Kondo is not vey clear

Audio seems to have some issues, I cannot hear

Very insightful Eric. Well done.

His voice is breaking

husikiki vizuri daktari

Dr. Kondondo you're breaking up

Thanks Dr Eric so in a nutshell there is no political will or wherewithal for pragmatic mitigation of Pandemic in TZ

We can't hear

hatukusikii vizuri dr

I am struggling to hear

Hatukusikii vzr, sauti inakatika katika

surgica mask moja sasa inauzwa Tsh 2000/- jamani tutaponaje !

Dr Imani, could you plz advice your voice.

audio sio nzuri

can't hear the speaker well, he breaks a lot

dr hatukusikii vizuri

we can’t hear you Dr!

audio ina shida

I think all of us need to reach individuals, more important family members. I’m amazed the govt still advocating public gatherings e.g. makananisani na msikitini. There’re still a great need for public education

poor audio quality

Policy coherence and harmonization of approaches across EAC countries is very crucial in addressing the pandemic.

Moderator itabidi utupe summary ya Dr Imani hatusikii

Let him use cell phone instead of direct from zoom

azime video

I am afraid there is a lot of misinformation regarding the use of cloths masks in the general public. Cloths masks are advocated to minimize the risk of transmission FROM the wearer. Wearing a mask reduces projection of respiratory droplets and/or saliva from the wearer. It should be clear that the cloths masks DO NOT to protect the wearer.

Tunaweza kupata English version ya hii flyer ya fundraising ku-share na friends wa waTanzania wasioongea Kiswahili.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/dhibiti-mlipuko-covid19-tanzania

What's the possibility of recovering from COVID19 if recovered individuals can test positive again after a while? Does it imply recovering of patients may not elimination of virus from one's body?

Agnetta Kamugisha; mkazi wa North Carolina; Ph. 919-724-2291Tina Lasway ; mkazi wa Texas and DIACOTA Rep.; Ph. 919-309-6994Nabila Ghassany; mkazi wa Georgia; Ph 404-988-2178Nassaro Basalama; mkazi wa North Carolina; Ph 919-519-1624Zawadi Sakapalla-Ukondwa mkazi wa Maryland; Ph 301-379-2342

It’s also very important to know masks can be point of spread if someone is in contact with COVID-19 patient. Masks must be sanitized or properly washed.

Zawadi Sakapalla, Aunty Agneta Kamugisha, Kaka Nassor Basalama na Dada Tina lasway.

Samahani nimetuma kabla sijamaliza ku type naleta majina na number zetu za simu

Tunapongeza juhudi za wote wanaosupport nchi yetu kupambana na janga la mlipuko wa Covid -19. Kwa kuwa Tanzania kumekuwa na initiative mbalimbali za kutengeneza baadhi ya protective equipments na inaweza kuwa more cost effective kusupport his initiative ili production iwe chubby kufikia walengwa wengi zaidi.

nawapongeza kwa juhudi za kudhibiti ugonjwa huu ambao unasumbua nchi yetu na dunia kwa ujumla

Hongereni sana kwa juhudi.

Thank you for the efforts Team ya dada Nabila, we need PPEs

Tunashukuru kwa kutuongoza kwenye harakati hizi

Your efforts are commended! keep up it up!!

Bravo's to everyone who has been part of that exceptional efforts to fundraise monies to finance fight against #COVID19.

Wasiliana nasi kwenye kujiunga na kamati zifuatazo nazo ni, Secretariat, Advisory, Community Mobilization and Promotion, Government Engagement, Funds Management pamoja na Financial Accounting.Zawadi Sakapalla – 301 379 2342Nassor Basalama – 919 519 1624Agneta Kamugisha – 919 724 2291Tina lasway – 919 309 6994Nabila Ghassany – 404 988 2178Ahsanteni.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/dhibiti-mlipuko-covid19-tanzania?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet

hii inawahusu wanaoishi Marekani tu, au hata sehem nyengine provided tu we ni mtanzania

you may send a message via the gofundme link above. Thank you 🙏

Nawapongeza kwa kujitolea kusaidia jamii ya Kitanzania Mungu awabariki sana kwa pamoja tunaweza kutokomeza Janga ili la COVID 19

fyi: https://dicotaus.org/

tunasikia

tunakupata

[[Angalizo]]Naomba muhakikishe hizo fedha namichango yote mnayokisanya muhakikishe inawafikia WALENGWA /WAHUSIKA tena wale wenye uhitaji mkubwa na SI VINGINEVYO...Maana we had bad experience kuhusina na fedha na michango especially inayotoka nje ya nchi, pamoja na ndani ya nchi pale inapokabidhiwa Centra govt,, huwa haiwafikii walengwa (Rejea Tetemekeo la Kagera).Asante.<<Nawasilisha>>

I think more transparency will help these efforts. Answering these questions is very helpful

Tanzania huwa wakipewa fedha huwa kunachangamoto kubwa sana kwenye kufanyia kazi iliyokusudiwa. I would recommend that you buy PPE and ship them to Tanzania instead of handing cash.

Have the regions been determined?

Asanteni sana DICOTA kwa jambo hili. Juhudi hizi zina mchango mkubwa mno wakati huu. Mungu awabariki sana

Ushawishi ni Influence

in my wildest dreams I never would have thought we would ever need ushawishi kwa mambo ya life and death!

Kufuatia mfumuko wa bei ya PPE duniani, inawezekanaje kamati ndogo ya kujitolea na vimichango vyetu kidogo ikashindana na purchasing power ya serikali ya Tz ?

next meeting topics

Kweli hongereni DICOTA and TUHEDA kwa michango yenu maana inatusaidia sana Tanzania. Muendelee na moyo huo. Mungi awabariki sana.

But anyways, wana diaspora tuanze kujiongeza kwa kujishawishi wenyewe

Mimi nina swali kuhusiana asymptomatic wa COVID-19. Kuna uwezekano wa asymptomatic kupata virus mpaka kupona bila ya yeye kujua???

Yule kaka wa TUHEDA hakumalizia waliofanya UK. Tunaweza kumsikia tena?

Persuasion is always the key in matters/issues involving more than one individuals. It's just because of inborn weaknesses.

coz viongozi wetu wa nchi tunaowategemea watushawishi they just let us down right left and center! Go Donate!

Let us come together against the common enemy( COVID-19)

Can health partnerships help to address some of the pandemic challenges? Are there opportunities in the US and UK.

Tuwasikie TUHEDA...

Godwin-Health partnership is the future model and it has to be sustainable

what Luke stated is accurate for 501c tax purposes

Viongozi Tunaomba muwasiliane na kamati ya uratibu. Ahsante sana.

Tell the people who are questioning they are needed to join the campaign to brainstorm no one has a finite answer

Mambo safi tu Ndugu Jackson zza kwako ?

I think the challenges still communication. How the money will be handover to Tanzania is still not clear. We can’t hide Tanzania is ranking very high in corruption. Let us not hiding this truth.

nchi zilizopigwa na hili Janga wenyewe bado wana maswali sembuse sisi? Deadline is April 30th. Just Go Donate!!!

Agnetta Kamugisha; mkazi wa North Carolina; Ph. 919-724-2291Tina Lasway ; mkazi wa Texas and DIACOTA Rep.; Ph. 919-309-6994Nabila Ghassany; mkazi wa Georgia; Ph 404-988-2178Nassaro Basalama; mkazi wa North Carolina; Ph 919-519-1624Zawadi Sakapalla-Ukondwa mkazi wa Maryland; Ph 301-379-2342

Dr Minja, umewasahau TUHEDA...

Congratulations to team and DICOTA for your hard work with the initiative!

Would be great to hear from TUHEDA.

Wasiliana na mmoja wetu ukitaka kujiunga na kamati zifuatazo Secretariat, Advisory, Community Mobilization and Promotion, Government Engagement, Funds Management pamoja na Financial Accounting. Zawadi Sakapalla – 301 379 2342Nassor Basalama – 919 519 1624Agneta Kamugisha – 919 724 2291Tina lasway – 919 309 6994Nabila Ghassany – 404 988 2178Ahsanteni.

Thank You All for yet another informative meeting. Umoja bi Nguvu💪💪👏👏👏

ni

We can Do this. Asanteni sana wote.

Ninayo furaha isokifani kwa kuweza kupata fursa hii na kuweza kusikiliza changa moto nzuri tuko pamoja tutaendelea kuwasiliana. niwatakie jioni njema. 🙏

Hatujamsikia Dr Kondo

Asanteni sana

Thank you for the informative meeting! Well done

Thank you

very clear infos 🤝asanteni sana

Very educational meeting! Bravo

Thanks for the informative meeting

Thank you! Great meeting and very informative!

asanteni sana kwa taarifa nzuri na hongereni kwa umoja wenu mzuri pia

HONGERENI SANA DACOTA👏

Please send your meeting here

link

Ningeomba tuendelee kutoa ushuri nyumbani kuhusu uhamasishaji wa mkusanyiko wa watu nyumbani, ni muhimu sana itakuwa ni msaada mkubwa kwa kutokusambaza virus🙏