THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPORTANCE OF DOGS DURING THIS LOCKDOWN By. Joseph Emeka Onyema-onwe.

THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPORTANCE OF DOGS DURING THIS LOCKDOWN.
Dogs are social, loyal and family companions. They date back to the origin of man. Even during the Roman Empire era, the Roman Drover dogs (an ancestor to Rottweiler) were very loyal to the Roman soldiers. They were used in guarding and conveying carts of supplies from one city to the other. They were also used as ambulances.
Dogs are very intelligent, and need enough obedience training and socialization to conform to the specific desired traits of a dog lover.
Dogs are useful during this lockdown for security and economic gains. As the nation Nigeria is almost down to security crisis as a result of restrictions of movement subsequently affecting the livelihood of many, necessitating some to enter into crime, we have to beef up our security. Dogs comes into play. The good thing about dogs is that it alerts you at least (whether it is English or local Dog) to take cover or inform proper authorities or neighbours to come to your rescue. Apart from alerting, some dogs especially the short breeds like the bull dogs and pitbulls might even go out of the way, to attack and rip apart any stranger because they have guarding instincts and are very protective of it's owners and territory.
As per the economic reasons to own a dog during this lockdown, when one has like say a female South African Boerboel, a Caucasian Shepherd or a German Shepherd dog, let's say like a 6-month old which when bought at that age can still be trained. In 7 to 8 months time, (i.e. a Year plus), one can start breeding the dog to get puppies. These puppies can be marketed through reputable dog breeders who have a ready market for it.
Dogs are wonderful, and before I drop my pen, I would suggest that each of us get a pet dog like a Lhasa or a Chihuahua for our children (popularly called parlour dogs) . Dogs can even reduce stress, and funnily enough are even more loyal than most human beings on Earth.
SOME TYPES OF DOGS.
1. Pitbull (American Origin).
2. Boerboel (South Africa)
3. Caucasian Shepherd (Georgia and Russian)
4. Alaskan Malamute ( American)
5. Siberian Husky.
6. Neapolitan Mastff ( Italian Origin).
7. Cane Corso (Italian Origin)
8. Rhodesian Ridgeback ( Central Africa).
9. Dogo Argentino (Argentina).
10. Fila Brasileiro (Brasilian Mastiff).
11. German Shepherd (Germany)
12. British Bulldog (Great Britain).
13. American bulldog (United States)
14. Alabai (Central Asian Dog)
15. Rottweiler - (Germany).
16. Grey Hound (Italian Hound)
17. Dobermann Pinscher
18. Kangal (Turkey - the most powerful dog in the world in terms of bite force with a 741 per square inch (PSI) of bite force.
19. St. Bernard (Italian Origin)-  A Shepherd type of dog.
20. The Nigerian Local breeds (Nigeria)
Et cetera .
In my own submission, if we obtain a Nigerian local breed, if given careful Obedience training and socialisation, they are even more formidable than most English or Foreign breeds. Our Local breeds in Nigeria from my own personal experience have more immunity than foreign breeds. Irresponsible ownership, lack of attention and poor nutrition are the major reasons our local breeds misbehave.
Buy a dog during this lockdown and your children will love it, possibly get a pet dog (Lhasa or Chihuahua) for them, then get a guard dog like the Boerboel or German Shepherd for the purpose of alertness to be kept in your open yard or field.
Thanks and I hope I did a little tutoring on the importance of a dog.

Joseph Emeka Onyema-onwe. 
( A proud owner of a Raiser's edge Pitbull).
NOTA BENE:
Dr. Nneka Ekwe (DVM) of Amorji Nenwe, Enugu State, Nigeria, is a reputable Veterinary Doctor who can attend to the Health needs of your dog(s).

Adverse effects of the use of the face mask

Adverse effects of the use of the face mask.
Face masks are useful protection against infection. They limit the spread of infective agents from the infected person wearing the mask as well as the rate of transmission of the infective organisms to the uninfected person wearing the mask.
 The medical face masks are designed to serve these purposes perfectly. The N95 face masks can filter 95% of airborne particles unlike the ordinary medical face masks.
 The ability of the nonmedical face masks to protect depends on the size of the pores of the materials and the nature of the fabric of which the mask is made. However, they are cheaper and reusable for a longer period after washing. (Medical facemasks are not reusable except for N95 which can be reused after re-sterilization).

Some adverse effects of face masks are:
1. False security: Masks only reduce the risks of transmission of infection. They do not give absolute protection. There is real risk that a false sense of protection may make those wearing masks to ignore other more effective preventive measures such as physical distancing and hand hygiene thereby cancelling the gains of the face mask.

2. Face masks are generally uncomfortable to wear. There may be need for regular adjustment necessitating regular touching of one's face which is counterproductive as far as infection prevention is concerned.

3. There may be a sense of suffocation from prolonged use of the face mask. This arises from limited inhaled air and re-breathing of CO2-rich exhaled air. This may lead to progressive hypoxia and hypercapnia. If this is not addressed, it may lead to cerebral hypoxia, loss of consciousness and even death.

4. Especially for those using eye glasses, exhaled air in mask users may form a fog on the glasses and limit vision. Again this may be a reason for more frequent touching of the face with its implications for disease transmission.

5. Masks muffle speech with the risk of breaking the rule of physical distancing for effective communication.

6. Depending on the fabric of which the nonmedical mask is made, particles from the mask may be inhaled causing a form of pneumoconiosis with a long-term risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Having identified these risks, how do we curtail them?
 Face masks should be worn only when necessary e.g. outdoors and when one is in the company of others but not when one is alone in his house or when one is  sleeping in his house.
Despite face mask, one should not be complacent with the other measures of infection prevention.
presented  by 
Dr Leo.Chuwuali