A campaign has been launched to encourage people in Keswick to wear facemasks in a bid to counteract Covid-19.
Organiser Cole Kelly is asking Keswick Town Council to support the About Face campaign being run under the slogan “Protect Yourself by Protecting Others.”
Cole, who lives in Main Street, Keswick, wants all residents, visitors and workers to wear face coverings in shops and outdoor spaces in the town’s shopping district.
“Soon our shops in Keswick will open again and we need to be ready. The increased movement of people will increase the risk of infection,” said Cole, who plans to make a presentation about the Facebook campaign to the town council at its online meeting next week.
“Cumbria has one of the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the entire country. Scientific evidence shows that if at least 80 per cent of us cover our face, we can massively reduce transmission of the virus. Wearing a face covering protects others, in case you are asymptomatic but carrying the virus. The more people wear them, the safer we will all be. Places all over the world have clearly shown reduced transmission by using face coverings. So what are we waiting for?” Cole added.
The UK government only suggests wearing face coverings on transport and in small shops but Cole believes it needs to be actively encouraged all the time in shopping areas. “Face coverings do not prevent transmission alone. You must also socially distance yourself as much as possible and wash your hands regularly,” said Cole, who called on people to make their own masks or buy one online rather than use surgical ones needed for the NHS.
Cllr Alexandra Boardman is among the people who have already backed the online campaign in which local businesses will be encouraged display a poster supporting face covering. Other people have also responded by saying how they have made their own masks.
