Michigan Launches 'Spread Hope, Not COVID' Campaign

MICHIGAN — A new public education campaign launched Monday by Michigan public health officials urges Michiganders to unite to contain the spread of the coronavirus so the state’s economy, schools and communities can safely reopen — and stay open.

The “Spread Hope, Not COVID” campaign includes about 50 organizations and is led by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The campaign calls on Michigan residents to join together to “Spread Hope, Not COVID” by taking actions that will reduce the spread of the virus, including wearing masks, washing and sanitizing hands and practicing physical distancing.

“This virus has devastated families across the state and had an unprecedented impact on our economy," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday. "We are not out of the woods yet, and we must all continue to step up and do our part to fight COVID-19. Our ‘Spread Hope, Not COVID’ message is for all Michiganders to do everything in their power to reduce the spread of the virus and protect our families, frontline workers, educators, and small businesses.”

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The campaign will communicate with residents through broadcast, outdoor, social and digital media and news media, according to a news release issued Monday. The campaign is also sharing information through state and local associations and other stakeholder groups that represent or reach millions of Michigan residents.

“The virus has taken so much away from us, but every action that a united Michigan takes to contain the spread moves us closer to resuming normal, to moving our economy and lives forward,” Whitmer said. “While some of the actions we must take are personally uncomfortable and inconvenient, there is broad consensus that they will contain COVID-19 cases to levels that will enable us to safely reopen our economy, our schools and other institutions – and keep them open.”

The campaign’s messaging is based on a survey of 2,047 Michigan residents ages 18 an older conducted July 8-13. The survey’s goal was to identify and quantify behaviors and attitudes related to wearing masks and other types of facial coverings.

The survey found that 72 percent of Michigan residents say they always wear a mask in public, with Black Michiganders significantly more likely to wear a mask than all other respondent groups, and women more likely than men to wear a mask, according to a news release.

Outside Metro Detroit, there are no significant differences in mask-wearing among Michigan’s various geographic regions. Mask-wearing tends to be higher in Metro Detroit. Among age groups, Boomers are significantly more likely to wear masks, while Generation Xers are significantly less likely.

Additional extensive research is continuing to measure changes in attitudes and behavior. The research continues to identify significant misinformation and confusion about mask-wearing.

The “Spread Hope, Not COVID” campaign includes facts about mask-wearing and details about the other simple behaviors Michiganders must take together to control the virus, including:

• Wear a cloth mask or face covering over your mouth and nose to reduce the spread of the disease. While masks alone may not always prevent the spread of the disease, scientists and doctors agree that masks and face coverings can help to reduce the spread by about 70 percent. Michiganders are required to wear a face covering whenever you are in indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor spaces where you may be in close contact with people outside of your household, or people you do know but have not been with or near recently.
• Practice physical distancing by staying at least 6 feet from people outside of your household. COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact.
• Wash and sanitize your hands frequently. Don’t touch your face, nose, mouth and eyes with unwashed hands.
• Get tested. To avoid bringing COVID-19 home, it is especially important you get tested if: you feel sick, you have to leave home to go to work or if you have been in close contact with someone who is sick or has symptoms. Expanded testing is now available across the state as we continue to reopen.
• If you test positive, help prevent further spread by participating in case investigations and contact tracing with local or state health officials.

The “Spread Hope, Not COVID” campaign is funded through legislation approved by both Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Congress.