#MaskUp to Drive COVID-19 Numbers Back Down, Nation’s Healthcare Leaders Urge

#MaskUp to Drive COVID-19 Numbers Back Down, Nation’s Healthcare Leaders Urge
Roswell Park, other top hospitals issue plea prompted by alarming trends in cases

• Roswell Park is among 100 hospitals supporting a national masking campaign
• 2-week national campaign to include print, digital and social messaging
• Aim is to help reverse the current trend of rising COVID-19 cases

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is among 100 of the nation’s top health care systems, representing thousands of hospitals in communities across the U.S., that have come together with an urgent plea for all Americans: mask up, because wearing a facemask is our best chance at slowing the surging COVID-19 pandemic now.

More than 11 million Americans have tested positive for the virus — including an additional 1 million in just the past week — leading to 245,000 deaths. In the Buffalo area alone, more than 900 people have died from the virus, and in recent weeks every day brings a new record total for new cases.

“Nothing is more important right now, across the whole country,” says Candace S. Johnson, PhD, President/CEO and the M&T Bank Presidential Chair in Leadership at Roswell Park. “We know that masks are incredibly effective at reducing risk and controlling the spread of COVID-19, and we need to be able to count on one another to take this small but powerful step to benefit ourselves, our families and our communities. The decisions we make today have the power to save lives — or endanger them.”

The next several months will be critical. Though there has been positive news about vaccine development, no one knows when those vaccines will be ready for widespread use. In the meantime, everyone must remain vigilant, take precautions and follow public health orders.The current trends are daunting and frightening. If the nation stays on its current course, hospital leaders are increasingly concerned that more healthcare facilities will be overwhelmed as shortages of healthy caregivers make it difficult to handle a rapidly increasing number of patients. Unfortunately, this is already happening in parts of our country.

The country has reached a tipping point. The power to do what is right is now in the hands of everyone everywhere.

Beginning today, a public service message will run in The New York Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times. Additionally, hospitals and health systems across the country will continue to unite to share these messages regionally.

The message reads:

“As the top nationally-ranked hospitals, we know it’s tough that we all need to do our part and keep wearing masks. But, here’s what we also know: The science has not changed. Masks slow the spread of COVID-19. So, please join us as we all embrace this simple ask: Wear. Care. Share with #MaskUp. Together, wearing is caring. And together, we are saving lives.”

In an effort to reach a broader audience, the public service effort will also include messages on digital platforms, social media, online information, links to vital health resources and more. Combining resources demonstrates that these health organizations are working together, will accomplish this today and will get through this together.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points to recent studies that have shown facemasks successfully limit spread of the COVID-19 virus. Wearing facemasks protect in key ways: by protecting the wearer against inhalation of harmful pathogens and particulates and by preventing exposure of those around the wearer.

In addition to masking, the CDC suggests that everyone minimize the number of non-household contacts, maintain a physical distance of at least six feet, and limit the amount of time around others, especially while indoors and in poorly ventilated areas. For further information about masking guidelines — how to choose a mask, how to properly wear a mask — visit the CDC website.

The following hospitals and health systems are helping to spread this message across the country.