We live in a global community and, as the world has witnessed, COVID-19 does not care about borders.
To help stop the spread of this virus, the Pandemic Action Network launched World Mask Week Aug.7-14, a global movement designed to bring much-need attention to the need to wear face coverings. The science is clear: community masking is critical to stop the spread of COVID-19. And until we have effective vaccines or medicines, wearing a mask is one of the best tools we have — along with social distancing and hand washing. And it’s simple, inexpensive, and something nearly everyone can do.
Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation and disinformation circulating about whether wearing a mask is even necessary or effective. And, sadly, it has become a political issue. Wearing a mask isn’t about politics. It’s about demonstrating you care about the health and well-being of others and society as a whole.
As the news continues to report, the COVID-19 pandemic is having a resurgence in many places in the U.S. and around the world. While the CDC’ s latest predictions of around 300,000 deaths in the U.S. alone by the end of this year are downright frightening, there is hope. If we pull together in solidarity ― if we pledge to wear a mask when in public ― consistently and correctly — we can slow the spread. And we can save lives.
A review and meta-analysis funded by the World Health Organization and published in The Lancet examined data from 172 studies from 16 countries and six continents and found that face mask use could result in a large reduction in the risk of infection. Based on this growing evidence on how to slow the spread of COVID-19, the global public health community agrees: wearing a mask or face covering when in public helps protect communities.
Addis Communications listens to the science. That’s why we’ve joined the Pandemic Action Network in support of World Mask Week. For our part, from Aug. 7-14, we will be posting daily content via social media about the importance of wearing a mask and other tips for what we can do as global citizens to stop the spread of COVID-19.
But this effort does not end on August 14. This movement demands that each of us do what we can to slow the spread of the virus and to save lives in our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and communities. We must ensure that everyone, everywhere knows and understands the benefits of wearing a mask and how only together as governments, leaders, and individuals can we rise up to meet the challenge and overcome this pandemic.
Our ask to our community is simple: Please help us spread the word about the importance of wearing masks by liking, commenting, and sharing our Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn posts. The more people who engage and spread the word, the greater the odds are of reducing the spread of this insidious virus.
