By Avéon Laine
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Gov. Larry Hogan announced Thursday the launch of the #MasksOnMaryland social media challenge in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health to support the state’s ongoing health and economic recovery.
The governor is challenging all Maryland citizens, communities, organizations and businesses to participate by posting a picture of themselves wearing a mask to social media, with the accompanying hashtag, “#MasksOnMaryland.”
“Wearing a mask is the best way to keep ourselves and our families safe, and to keep Maryland open for business,” said Hogan.
According to the state’s dedicated COVID-19 database, Maryland has confirmed 132,343 cases as of Oct. 13. These results come from more than 2.9 million COVID-19 tests conducted since the end of March. There have been 3,868 deaths in Maryland from the coronavirus, including nine yesterday.
As part of the challenge, the governor shared his personal reasons for wearing a mask and asked Marylanders to share their reasons for do the same.
“I wear my mask for my three daughters and four grandchildren,” Hogan said during a press conference last week. “We are all in this together, and I invite Marylanders to join me in sharing their reasons for wearing a mask.”
With the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Research Center reporting an average of 12,000 COVID-19 tests taken per day in Maryland, the state’s case numbers continue to rise, especially in certain demographics and communities.
According to the governor’s office, the ongoing campaign is intended to reach all Marylanders, with a specific focus on individuals aged 18 to 34 and those disproportionately affected by COVID-19, including Maryland’s Hispanic and Black African American communities.
In the state, Black citizens have the highest number of cases by race at 40,831. Hispanics have the third-highest number of cases by race at 27,768, just a few thousand behind the state’s White population.
According to The Baltimore Sun, people of color have remained disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 throughout the pandemic, both in Maryland and across the country. Many of these individuals are also essential workers, putting them at greater risk for exposure.
In April, the Maryland Department of Health’s Deputy Health Secretary Fran Phillips told the Capital Gazette, “Maryland is not healthy unless everyone is healthy.”
This statement came after the state began closely reviewing University of Maryland Center for Health Equity Director Stephen Thomas’ proposal for those residents disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
According to the Capital Gazette, Thomas’ plan was centered around building a network through churches and health centers to provide culturally competent information for Black and Hispanic communities.
There have been no further updates on this plan.
Before the social media challenge was added to the campaign, the governor would often tweet the state’s COVID-19 data accompanied by a nudge at Marylanders to continue taking preventative action among the pandemic.
“It’s critical that Marylanders continue washing their hands frequently, avoiding crowds and wearing face coverings,” Hogan tweeted.
The governor also tweeted, “Remember: masks continue to be the single best mitigation strategy we have in the fight against #COVID19. If you’re in an indoor public space, or outdoors and can’t maintain physical distancing, be sure to wear a face covering over your nose and mouth. #MasksOnMaryland,”
Thursday, Hogan took to Twitter and his other social media accounts sharing the challenge and his message to all Marylanders.
“If we all do our part, we can help protect ourselves, loved ones, co-workers and communities from COVID-19,” Hogan said.
Several Hogan administration cabinet and deputy secretaries and executive directors have shared their mask photos in the kickoff video for the challenge.
This social media challenge is the latest addition of the #MasksOnMaryland campaign, which the state department of health first announced in June.