'Wear A Mask, Be A Hero,' Avon Mayor Says

AVON, OH — Avon Mayor Bryan Jensen is urging residents to wear masks when they leave their homes.

In an open letter to the community, Jensen said masks will help slow the spread of COVID-19, protecting local hospitals and allowing local businesses to continue operating. He said health care workers were heroes and residents needed to step up for those workers.

"We need to be heroes for them now. All it takes is wearing a mask when you are out in public," Jensen wrote. "Not only will this help slow the spread of the virus, it tells everybody, I'm supporting our front line workers and protecting my family and friends."

Lorain County was recently categorized as a Level 3, or "red," county. According to the state pandemic system, this means there is "very high" spread of COVID-19 locally. Under this new designation all Lorain County residents are required to wear masks in public spaces.

Neighboring Cuyahoga County could soon be classified as a Level 4, or "purple," county. That means there is severe spread locally. It is unclear what mandates would go into effect to stop the virus' spread at that point.

"We do not want to see our businesses close or experience another shut down due to the uncontrolled rise in cases," Jensen warned. "This has a long lasting effect on them as well as us. No community needs to experience this again."