NBA Legends Statue In Argentina Fitted With Face Mask

Story By: Juan Fenandez Mayes,  Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

These images show how statues in Argentina – including one of an NBA legend who played for the San Antonio Spurs – have been fitted with makeshift face masks as a reminder for locals to wear them.

The face masks were placed on statues and monuments honouring important figures in the country across the Argentine capital city of Buenos Aires to raise awareness as their use will be obligatory starting tomorrow (Wednesday).

The images show several statues and monument all around the city showing important figures in Argentina in sports and in the nation’s history wearing face masks apparently made of scarves and other types of clothing.

Some of the statues include those placed in the city’s ‘Paseo de la Gloria’ (The Walk of Glory) dedicated to some of the most successful athletes to come from Argentina.

One picture shows NBA basketball icon Emanuel Ginobili, 42, who played for the San Antonio Spurs for 16 years, and former race car driver Juan Manuel Fangio who dominated Formula One in its first decade during the 1950s.

Other monuments include characters from the popular comic strip ‘Mafalda’ on the Defensa street in the San Telmo neighbourhood. The comic led to several books and two animated series after gaining popularity.

Argentine President Horacio Rodriguez Larreta shared some of the pictures on his social media and captioned the pictures: “We all use face masks in the city.”

Local media report that in Argentina, people will be forced from tomorrow to wear face masks in commercial areas, public transportation and establishments that offer customer services.

The country is currently in lockdown due to COVID-19 and is expected to remain in quarantine until 26th April.

According to the latest figures from the Johns Hopkins University, there have been 2,277 confirmed cases of COVID-19 leading to 98 deaths in Argentina.

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