The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in many ways, and we have come so far. Vaccinations are making life safer, but not everyone is protected and the threat of coronavirus is still here. As the remaining restrictions and legal requirements in England lift on Monday 19 July 2021, leading bodies are coming together to help the public stay safe and support people delivering frontline services. But we cannot do this alone. We can all help to stop the virus from spreading out of control by making sensible choices that reduce the risk of illness to ourselves and those around us. Over the summer, we are calling on everyone to lend your support by pledging to:
1. wear a face mask or covering, if not exempt, including where not wearing one could make someone feel unsafe.
2. do what you can to keep indoor spaces well-ventilated, and opt for meeting outdoors, where possible.
3. clean your hands regularly, including before and after social contact with those outside your household.
4. test, support contact-tracing measures and self-isolate when required.
5. make sure you get both doses of the coronavirus vaccine when asked, and encourage people you know to do the same.
Let’s stop the virus from spreading. After all, it’s #NotTooMuchToMask.
Launching the campaign, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “We know the vast majority of the public want to continue to do all they can to protect their fellow citizens from the danger of catching or passing on COVID-19. As the threat of coronavirus remains, it is not too much to ask of people to continue making sensible and cautious choices on how they go about their lives if it can keep themselves and those around them safe, and we are keen to show that we support and stand in solidarity with them.”
Richmond Group Director Neil Tester said: “When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the first restrictions came in, the whole country came together to support each other and our key workers. Now, as the legal requirements come to an end, we can again show our strength and solidarity by adopting the five pledges in this vital campaign. In doing so we can help continue to protect each other, our communities and our vital frontline services as much as we can and get through this pandemic together.”
Sign the pledge and find out more: https://www.nhsconfed.org/not-too-much-to-mask
Adopt the campaign ‘Twibbon’ on your Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, which will imprint the designed hashtag on top of your profile picture: https://twibbon.com/support/nottoomuchtomask