Baton Rouge, La. – Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome is launching a new campaign encouraging East Baton Rouge Parish residents to wear a face covering in public as a safeguard to slow the spread of the coronavirus. "Mask Up EBR" is a grassroots public health campaign to inspire people to “Mask Up” for a loved one or for someone on the frontlines of the pandemic.
“We are all asked to love our neighbor. Show your love by wearing a face covering in public,” said Mayor Broome. “This can literally save a life. Our senior citizens are our post-war generation, we owe it to them; our essential workers are on the front line for our community, we owe it to them; our families are the inspiration to get through the pandemic as safely as possible, mask up for them. Who do you mask up for?”
Residents are encouraged to take photos wearing their face covering and share with Mayor Broome via social media at @mayorbroome and hashtag #MaskUpEBR.
Mayor Broome jumpstarted #MaskUpEBR, in partnership with Hanes Clothing Company, through a wide scale distribution of approximately 200,000 cloth face masks for essential workers and vulnerable populations.
"Face coverings alone won’t protect a person from infection," said Mayor Broome, urging people to continue practicing physical distancing. "There are many people that are asymptomatic and masks can help slow the spread."
Face coverings can be more than just masks. Scarfs, bandanas, and folded t-shirts fitted with rubber bands will also serve the purpose. Wearing a cloth face covering limits the spread of germs. Residents should wash their cloth face coverings every day.