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07/08/2020

OPPA launches MaskPlus6 campaign encouraging Ohioans to wear a mask and practice social distancing of at least six feet

OPPA Launches MaskPlus6 Campaign Encouraging Ohioans to Wear a Mask and Practice Social Distancing of at Least Six Feet

Doctors Orders Circle(Columbus, Ohio – July 8, 2020) As Ohio continues with daily life during a pandemic, and as the number of cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to rise, the Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association (OPPA) and other physician and health care organizations strongly encourage everyone to practice MaskPlus6.

A new social media campaign underway this week uses Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, websites, and more to urge Ohioans to
wear a face mask and practice six feet physical distancing when in public. As part of the campaign, OPPA is asking members—psychiatric physicians, residents/fellows and medical students—across the state to share photos and selfies of themselves wearing masks while not only at their medical office or hospital, but also while doing day-to-day activities. The public is also invited to participate using the hashtag #MaskPlus+6.

Nationwide, COVID-19 has claimed over 133,000 lives in four months and over a half million across the globe. More than 50 countries and a growing number of US states and localities have mandated the wearing of masks in public. Nearly 3,000 individuals in Ohio have died from COVID-19.

While there is great debate about the effectiveness of wearing a mask, according to a study from The Lancet (international medical journal), there is a 17 percent reduction in risk of infection for those wearing a mask or face covering versus those not covering their face. One of the greatest challenges of COVID-19 is that it can be spread by a person who has no symptoms and doesn’t know they are infected. Fortunately, by adopting the simple and compassionate habit of wearing a mask or face covering in public, and keeping a physical distance of six feet between ourselves and the people we meet, we can all reduce the likelihood that we will unknowingly pass on an infection that could be deadly to other people in our community.

“Ohioans flattened the curve early on in the pandemic by following reasonable public health guidelines and we must do it again,” said Megan Testa, MD, a physician who practices psychiatry in Cleveland, Ohio and President of the OPPA. Testa stressed that COVID-19, being a highly contagious novel coronavirus, is a threat that all Ohioans must recognize and that no one can dismiss.  “Since COVID-19 is known to spread mainly by close contact from person-to-person, every single one of us can take steps to stop this pandemic. It is our responsibility to ensure that even when we feel healthy, we do everything we can to stay healthy and keep others healthy. This virus spreads between individuals who have no symptoms at all. That’s why #MaskPlus6 is so important.”

In addition to using face coverings and distancing, physicians and other health care professionals urge patients and the public at large to follow all safety guidelines to prevent spread such as regular hand washing, routinely disinfecting your home, and others.  

Testa also stated, “As psychiatrists, we know that COVID-19 is placing additional emotional stressors on all of us, including individuals who may have already been suffering from a mental illness or substance use disorder. We strongly encourage anyone who has feelings of depression, hopelessness, or helplessness, or knows someone who is suffering, to seek help. Know that we as psychiatrists are present now as always to help, and that there are many ways to access care including telemedicine for psychiatric care, as well as tele-counseling services.”

In addition to the OPPA, other medical organizations involved in the campaign include the Ohio Academy of Medicine, Ohio Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, Ohio State Medical Association, and the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers.

The Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association, a district branch of the American Psychiatric Association, is a statewide medical specialty organization whose more than one thousand physician members specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illnesses, including substance use disorders. OPPA members are "Psychiatrists United for Best Care” to advance the profession of psychiatry and to improve the well-being and lives of individuals with mental disorders.

 

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