COVID-19 Spread Prompts Mask Wearing Campaign In Davidson

DAVIDSON, NC — In a bid to help slow the spread of coronavirus and protect the health of the community, the Town of Davidson is now asking residents, business employees and visitors to wear a mask when in town.

The town's new public awareness campaign follows a special Board of Commissioners meeting held last month, where town leaders decided to encourage mask use instead of issuing a mandate.

Mecklenburg County leads the state in the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. According to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, labs in the state had confirmed 5,744 cases of COVID-19 in Mecklenburg County as of June 9. The number released Tuesday represents an increase of more than 1,000 cases in the county in the span of six days.

As of Tuesday, North Carolina had more than 37,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,029 deaths.

SEE ALSO: Mecklenburg COVID-19 Death Toll At 114, Social Distancing Down

As part of the campaign, the Town of Davidson said it is providing:

• banners posted in public spaces to remind people of the three Ws (“wear, wait, wash”)
• signage for storefront windows designating that the business requires both employees and customers to wear masks
• decals to help depict proper social distancing spacing on Main Street
• car magnets to encourage neighbors to wear masks for the safety of our entire town and all our residents.

Davidson is also implementing other changes around town with the COVID-19 pandemic in mind.

"Over the past week, the town has added more outdoor seating with benches and round tables with umbrellas in several areas of town. Residents and visitors to Davidson will now be able to congregate with their families and friends while in compliance with public health guidelines. Additional trash and recycling cans have also been added. The town will be installing hand sanitizer stations as soon as possible in key high traffic areas of the community as well," the town said in a statement.

Reusable face masks and campaign magnets may be picked up at Davidson Public Library, located at 119 S. Main Street, or at Davidson Town Hall, located at 216 S. Main Street.

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