Mercy Health Joins National Campaign to Encourage Use of Masks

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Bon Secours Mercy Health is among the health-care systems nationwide calling on Americans to wear masks to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

More than 11.5 million people have already tested positive for the virus, the organizations said in a joint statement Thursday morning, including 1 million over the past week. Nationwide, there have been nearly 250,000 deaths from COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

“As the top nationally ranked hospitals, we know it’s tough that we all need to do our part and keep wearing masks. But here’s what we also know: The science has not changed,” the health-care systems said in a joint statement. “Masks slow the spread of COVID-19. So, please join us as we all embrace this simple ask: Wear. Care. Share with #MaskUp. Together, wearing is caring. And together, we are saving lives.” 

Starting today, the health-care systems will run public service messages in The New York Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times. Individually, the participating health organizations will share the message locally.

“The country has reached a tipping point. The power to do what is right is now in the hands of everyone everywhere,” the statement continued. “The current trends are daunting and frightening. If the nation stays on its current course, hospital leaders are increasingly concerned that more health care facilities will be overwhelmed as shortages of healthy caregivers make it difficult to handle a rapidly increasing number of patients. Unfortunately, this is already happening in parts of our country. 

“The next several months will be critical. Though there has been positive news about vaccine development, no one knows when those vaccines will be ready for widespread use. In the meantime, everyone must remain vigilant, take precautions and follow public health orders,” it said.

In addition to wearing masks, which are shown to limit the spread of COVID-19 through airborne pathogens, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend minimizing contact with people outside your household, social distancing of at least six feet and limiting time spent around others, especially when indoors and in poorly ventilated areas.

Bon Secours Mercy Health is the parent organization of Mercy Health-Youngstown. Other participating medical systems in the state include Cleveland Clinic, UC Health, University Hospitals, Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center and OhioHealth.

Pictured: Mercy Health-Youngstown’s St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.