SAfrica president struggles to put on face mask

President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke to reporters a day after he announced that the country's lockdown would be loosened slightly on May 1. His fumbled attempt to put on a mask just after the speech was widely shared on social media, where some South Africans thanked him for the moment of comic relief.

Johannesburg: South Africa's president has good-naturedly offered to demonstrate how to wear a face mask after his attempt during a national address left the mask covering his eyes.

President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke to reporters Friday while touring coronavirus facilities, a day after he announced that the country's lockdown would be loosened slightly on May 1.

His fumbled attempt to put on a mask just after the speech was widely shared on social media, where some South Africans thanked him for the moment of comic relief.

Ramaphosa has been praised for his calm, measured speeches that acknowledge the deep economic pain the lockdown is causing in one of the world's most unequal countries.

As of Friday, South Africa has 3,953 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 75 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

(With inputs from AP)