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County launches #MASKUP campaign to encourage ‘20-Somethings’ to wear face coverings

 

Cook County officials launched the #MASKUP Cook County campaign Monday to encourage young adults ages 20 to 29 to make a difference in the fight against COVID-19 in suburban Cook County. 

Cook County saw the biggest growth in infections in this age group between late March and late July with cases spiking up 250 percent following the reopening of Illinois. 

An image from Cook County's #maskup campaign to encourage young adults to wear face coverings. (Provided photo)
An image from Cook County’s #maskup campaign to encourage young adults to wear face coverings. (Provided photo)

Officials observed clusters of COVID-19 cases resulting from travel, parties and other social gatherings over the summer, where physical distancing and masking guidance were not being followed. 

The #MASKUP Cook County campaign raises awareness that people can be asymptomatic or presymptomatic and spreading COVID-19 without even knowing it. 

When masks are worn properly over the nose and mouth, they have proven to be highly effective in preventing the disease from spreading. The campaign’s messages, encouraging young adults to protect themselves, their families and their communities, include: “Wear it. Don’t spread it. Change starts with you.” and “Do your part. #MASKUP and back up.” 

This poster is one of several being used by Cook County to promote mask wearing among young adults. (Provided image)
This poster is one of several being used by Cook County to promote mask wearing among young adults. (Provided image)

The campaign also promotes practicing the three W’s: Wear a mask. Watch your distance. Wash your hands.

Cook County Public Health Department has adopted the Illinois Department of Public Health’s three W’s for clear and consistent disease prevention messaging. 

“COVID-19 is bigger than any one person,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “We all have to work together to solve this problem. Masking is a huge part of the solution, in addition to physical distancing and hand hygiene, especially until we have a vaccine.” 

#MASKUP Cook County social media ads will run in English and Spanish throughout suburban Cook County on YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat during the month of September. 

Posters and community billboards will be placed in barber and beauty shops, gas stations, corner stores and other public places in communities most affected by COVID-19, where case counts have been highest and the disease burden the heaviest, including: Bellwood, Blue Island, Burnham, Cicero, Melrose Park, Park Forest, Des Plaines, Maywood, Palos Hills, Palos Heights and Markham. 

“On Aug. 28, the state announced that suburban Cook County has seen an increase in two of the eight metrics the state is monitoring to predict possible increased risks for contracting COVID-19,” said Dr. Rachel Rubin, Cook County Department of Public Health co-lead and senior medical officer. “Currently, before some schools return to in-person learning, we are seeing more cases in grammar- and high school-age youth. We are keeping a watchful eye on this and asking everyone – not just young people – to #MASKUP, so we don’t have to close up.” 

For more information on the #MASKUP campaign, and to view and download marketing materials, visit www.maskupcookcounty.com. Download school health webinar series audio, video and presentation slides here.

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