This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
At the request of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oakland University is supporting a new statewide public education campaign called “Spread Hope, Not COVID.” The goal of the campaign is to unite all Michiganders to take three simple actions that will contain the spread of the virus at levels that will enable the state to fully reopen — and stay open.
“In these trying times, it’s so important to remain hopeful and to work together for the betterment of all of us,” said Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D. “The governor’s appeal unites us in the common purpose of making sure we’re acting responsibly, safely and doing everything we can to reopen the state with a thoughtful approach that considers the long-term public and economic health of our residents and economy.”
To help contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Michiganders must:
1. Wear a mask or face covering over your mouth and nose to reduce the spread.
• While masks alone may not always prevent the spread of the disease, scientists, doctors and health experts agree that cloth masks and face coverings can help to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by about 70 percent.
• Masks do not have to be worn all the time. Michiganders are required to wear a face covering whenever you are in indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor spaces where you may be in close contact with people outside of your household, or people you do know but have not been with or near recently.
2. Practice physical distancing by staying at least 6 feet from people outside of your household.
• COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact.
• A mild illness for one person, could be life-threatening for someone else.
3. Wash and sanitize your hands frequently.
• Don’t touch your face, nose, mouth and eyes with unwashed hands.
• This routine practice also prevents the spread of many other viruses and illnesses.
In addition, testing and contract tracing continue to be vitally important towards reopening Michigan. To get tested, call the COVID Hotline at 888-535-6136 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, or visit Michigan.gov/CoronavirusTest, to find testing locations near you and schedule an appointment. If you test positive, help prevent further spread by participating in case investigations and contact tracing with local or state health officials.
“Our highest priority must be on the safety and health of Michigan residents,” Pescovitz said. “When we put public health first, then the health of our economy will, in turn, begin to improve and thrive.”
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