FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media Relations
Labor Day can still be a time to celebrate, relax and spend time with family, but don’t let your guard down. Mask up in public, practice safe physical distancing, wash your hands, avoid large nonessential gatherings and stay home if you feel sick.
With more than 6 million confirmed U.S. cases and nearly 185,000 deaths — many of them preventable — the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. Until there’s a vaccine or cure, it’s up to us to make daily decisions that reduce the virus’ spread and stop it from reaching vulnerable family and community members. One of the easiest ways to make a real difference is to wear a mask.
“Being vigilant in our everyday behavior and fostering community cooperation not only saves lives and prevents suffering, it helps put us on the path toward recovery,” said APHA Executive Director Georges C. Benjamin, MD. “It also protects the lives of local health workers — more than 900 of whom have died from COVID-19 so far — and the capacity of local hospitals to care for all patients.”
This Labor Day weekend, try to avoid large gatherings, keep at least six feet apart in public, and wear a face mask if you can’t maintain safe physical distancing — even when outdoors. Stay home if you are sick or have recently been exposed to the virus.
If you do host a gathering, stay outdoors, keep it very small, wear face masks, provide hand sanitizer, and limit the number of people handling or serving food. At the pool or beach, maintain the six-feet rule when swimming.
“We can keep saving lives if we all stick to easy preventive measures — like wearing a face mask — and agree that while we all miss activities we did pre-pandemic — like going to big, indoor parties — keeping our community safe is more important,” Benjamin said. “We all have a part to play.”
For more COVID-19 tips and guidance, visit www.COVIDGuidance.org or www.COVIDGuia.org.
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The American Public Health Association champions the health of all people and all communities. We are the only organization that combines a nearly 150-year perspective, a broad-based member community and the ability to influence federal policy to improve the public’s health. Learn more at www.apha.org.