R.J. Marcel and L.K.Y. Herman are agents with the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC), in charge of disinfecting public spaces in Toamasina. Despite the rain and the muddy ground, they carry out their duty in the neighbourhoods in the morning, and the markets in the afternoon.

Since becoming the national epicentre, Toamsina, Madagascar's largest city after Antananarivo, has been isolated from the rest of the island. Since then, measures have been taken including mass disinfections, partial containment, and military support to health personnel.

Marcel said he was afraid, but that it was his job to clean dirty neighbourhoods and keep people safe.

Herman said "Disinfection is necessary and essential. It is a patriotic act for me to be able to do this work. Some people want us to continue this practice regularly, while others people reprimand us for being the source of the spread of the virus. Good communication should be one of the main strategies in my opinion. I'm not afraid of catching COVID-19, the doctors in our unit have briefed us well."