Editorial: Mask Up New Hampshire

Editor's Note: This is an editorial by a group of health care and business organizations in the state formed to encourage the wearing of masks.

As part of a collaborative effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 across the state and keep New Hampshire healthy, we are joining together in a grassroots movement to encourage the use of face masks in public and work settings.  The initiative, #MaskUpNewHampshire, will strengthen the efforts led by the Common Man family and the Rotary Clubs of New Hampshire by helping to raise awareness around the importance of wearing masks, and how doing so along with other measures like handwashing, practicing social distancing and staying home when we are sick, can reduce the community transmission of COVID-19. 

If we want to keep our state healthy and our economy open, we need to mask up.  There is still much we don’t know about COVID-19, but we do know that wearing a mask is one of the most simple and effective things we can do to keep the virus from shutting down our state.  It’s also a visible way to demonstrate concern and protection for others and an important way that everyone can help.  All of us have a responsibility to take part in the measures we know will keep not only our state but our surrounding neighbors, healthy and safe.

In accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services, state and public health officials recommend cloth face coverings whenever in public in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. According to a recent study from global investment firm Goldman Sachs, mask-wearing by every American could save the U.S. economy from a 5% drop in GDP, or approximately $1 trillion in reduced economic spending. 

We are coming together with one voice to remind both residents and visitors that wearing a mask can make a significant difference in helping to reduce risk of exposure and stop the spread of COVID-19.  If we all wear our mask regularly when out in public or at work, we can slow the spread, protect our vulnerable loved ones and keep New Hampshire healthy, safe and open.   Our economy depends on it, our communities depend on it, and our families and loved ones depend on it.

To those of you who are doing your part in helping turn the tide of this pandemic – thank you. Your actions are critical to stopping the spread of COVID-19. Moving forward, we must all remain vigilant and continue taking steps to mitigate the spread of the virus to protect each other and our loved ones. There is only one way we will get through this – together.

• Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire
• New Hampshire Hospital Association
• New Hampshire Medical Society
• New Hampshire Community Behavioral Health Association
• Foundation for Healthy Communities
• NH Community Behavioral Health Association
• New Hampshire Health Care Association
• New Hampshire School Nurses Association
• Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care Alliance of NH
• The Common Man Family / Rotary Clubs of New Hampshire        
• New Hampshire Retail Association
• The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
• The Greater Merrimack - Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce

To reach a contact at any of the above organizations, or to learn more about Mask Up New Hampshire, please visit www.maskupnewhampshire.com or email info@maskupnewhampshire.com, and thank you for your support!

WMUR Video:Statewide campaign launches to encourage Granite Staters to wear masks