‘Wear Because We Care:' Sikeston launches campaign to encourage wearing masks

From left: Whitney Montgomery of the Marketing Department at Missouri Delta; Eric Slaughter, registered nurse at MDMC; Jonathan Douglass, Sikeston city manager and Marcie Lawson, executive director of the Sikeston Regional Chamber, look over masks that are part of a new campaign in Sikeston will encourage the use of masks to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Submitted photo

SIKESTON — A new campaign in Sikeston will encourage the use of masks to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The City of Sikeston and the Sikeston Regional Chamber of Commerce have joined forces for “Wear Because We Care,” the theme of the public awareness campaign, to encourage those working, dining, shopping and visiting Sikeston to wear a mask.

“We would like to encourage the people of Sikeston wear a mask when out and about in the community,” said Jonathan Douglass, city manager of Sikeston. “Social distancing is also encouraged, but when that is not possible, wearing a mask helps reduce transmission.”

Douglass added this is not a mandate from the City of Sikeston.

“The Sikeston City Council is concerned about the number of COVID-19 cases reported in Scott County and by Missouri Delta Medical Center,” Douglass said.

As of Friday morning, the Scott County Health Department had reported 3,292 positive cases with 815 cases active and 52 deaths.

The campaign will involve business, industry and public venues and ask visitors to “wear because you care.” Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services recommend face coverings whenever in public to limit the spread of COVID-19.

“The Chamber gladly joined the City of Sikeston in this campaign because studies show that masks not only save lives they also increase economic activity by instilling confidence in residents to shop local and in-person,” said Marcie Lawson, executive director of the Sikeston Regional Chamber of Commerce. “The awareness campaign will provide support to those who encourage mask wearing by using the Chamber’s resources through social media, member communications, decals, mask giveaways and other forms of support.”

Funding for the 500 masks was provided by CARES Act funding that was awarded to the Sikeston Regional Chamber from the Scott County Commission.

“These masks will be made available to organizations who want to join our campaign,” said Lawson.

Sikeston Mayor Steven Burch brought the idea of teaming with the SRC and local medical providers for a public awareness campaign at the Dec. 7 city council meeting.

“The challenge is the impact it has not only on lives of family members but the risk the community spread puts into our businesses and industry that have to operate every day,” Burch said at the meeting.

After the meeting, a task force of local healthcare professionals, the City of Sikeston and the SRC was formed to examine best practices in wearing masks, social distancing and how to best communicate that to the Sikeston community.

“I wear a mask to protect you. Please wear one to protect me,” said Dr. Andrew Boldrey of the Ferguson Medical Group and member of the local task force. “There is the element of protecting our patients, family, friends, neighbors and social responsibility.”

For more information in the “Wear Because You Care” campaign, contact Lawson by email at marcie.lawson@sikeston.net or the Sikeston Regional Chamber at 573-471-2498.