by ESMMYC Advocacy Committee – Dr. David F. Keely, Lynn Caldwell, Sara Cain-da Costa, Elizabeth Duda and Karen van Vierssen
June 30, 2020 (York County, SC) Newly-reported COVID-19 case numbers have increased in York County since Memorial Day weekend at an alarming rate (see graphic). The daily average of newly-reported cases has reached 40, up from 5-10 in mid May.
Locally, we are concerned about the lack of social distancing and lack of face mask use in public. Evidence shows that people with COVID-19 can spread the germ – even when they do not have symptoms or know they have the virus.
Wearing face masks lowers the risk of spreading the germ (see this SC DHEC graphic. The CDC recommends that everyone wear cloth face coverings when leaving their homes, regardless of whether they have fever or COVID-19 symptoms (see Important Information about Your Cloth Face Coverings). Wearing face masks benefits the wearer and those with whom the wearer comes into close contact.
Healthcare and other essential workers risk themselves daily to serve our community. Let’s show courtesy to them and others by socially distancing and wearing face masks in public. As Dr. Anthony Fauci shared during the White House COVID-19 Task Force Press Briefing on June 26, in this particular public health crisis, as an American society we must show care for each other by wearing face masks when out in public — it is more than just an individual protection.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testified on June 30 that, “the path forward for the economy is extraordinarily uncertain and will depend in large part on our success in containing the virus.” Getting back to normal in our community means we each much do our part now to get through this critical time.
Additional Resources:
https://www.scdhec.gov/infectious-diseases/viruses/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Let’s #StaySCstrong