El Paso County, Colo.-– Today, health care, local government, education, and business community leaders, along with COVID-19 survivors, launched the #SmallActs campaign in response to rising COVID-19 cases in El Paso County.
COVID-19 survivors shared their experience battling the virus. A local business owner explained how COVID-19 greatly impacted her employees and how she fought to keep her doors open. Health professionals and the mayor of Colorado Springs reiterated the importance of staying vigilant with ‘small acts’ that can help stop the spread of the virus in the community.
“The COVID-19 numbers in El Paso County have skyrocketed over the last month and we are in grave danger of overwhelming our hospitals and further impacting our businesses and economy. We simply must take action to stop the spread and reverse this trend. This is not something the government, the hospitals, the schools, or the health department can do on their own. If we are going to overcome this virus, we need every resident to take responsibility and start implementing small acts to make a big impact on our community,” said Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers.
The #SmallActs campaign emphasizes the community effort required to keep our economy open, hospitals operating at optimal levels, and our community safe. In order to do that, the public must take proactive actions to help stop the spread.
The #SmallActs campaign encourage small acts such as:
- Being the first to mask up. Even with close friends and coworkers
- Stay home when sick or exposed to COVID-19. Get tested and tell coworkers if test positive.
- Avoid gatherings with members outside your household, for now
- Have students quarantine at home when sick or when part of a quarantining class
- Combine trips and errands for less out-of-home exposure, or use curbside pickup
“Every step that we take to limit the spread of this virus will help to keep hospitals from being overwhelmed. In recent weeks, we’ve seen a dramatic and concerning spike in the positivity rate in the community. At our hospitals in southern Colorado, UCHealth is now caring for just over 70 patients with either confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection. Please take these warnings seriously, use masks, and avoid unnecessary gatherings. Most importantly, isolate yourself if you have symptoms so you don’t expose others,” said Dr. David Steinbruner, chief medical officer, UCHealth Memorial Hospital: University of Colorado Health.
“Small Acts, Big Impacts,” which is part of a collaborative partnership among the medical, education, business communities and local government, will use a combination of social and traditional media, editorial pitches, and public service announcements to underscore the importance of small acts every citizen can take to make a big impact in the fight against COVID-19.
“We are urging our community to come together to prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19. Small actions taken at the individual level — staying home when sick, wearing a mask properly, reducing social activities, and washing hands frequently — add up to create broader community impacts,” said Susan Wheelan, El Paso County Public Health Director. “The only way we are going to get through these difficult times is by working together, with everyone doing their part.”
Organizations and individuals are encouraged to share #SmallActs messaging or add a photo and create their own. Please tag the City of Colorado Springs (@CityofCOS), El Paso County (@ElPasoCountyCO), and (@ElPasoCountyPublicHealth).
Graphics and accompanying social media messages are available at www.coloradosprings.gov/smallacts. New graphics and messages will be released periodically. The public is invited to visit the site regularly to access new content focusing on this important messaging.
How the media can help:
- Encourage residents to participate in the #SmallActs campaign by highlighting the simple steps they are taking to keep our community healthy and thriving.
- Create customized #SmallActs messaging or share and retweet social media messages from City of Colorado Springs, and El Paso County.