In the USA, we have seen massive coronavirus upheaval, but we have confusing leadership optics. Leaders talk alot, but they LOOK the same. The briefings look like business as usual: man behind a podium in a dark suit. On TV, they aren't changing their actions visibly. We need to *see* it. Not just hear talk, talk, talk.



WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR

We need a shift in optics-- therefore this petition asks President Trump (and bipartisan members of Congress) to wear a mask on TV. Just sometimes. Even once is enough. Drive home the point visually: "be prepared, this is real"



THE "VISUAL PROBLEM"

There's the saying, "Monkey see, Monkey do." Here, it is "Monkey don't see, Monkey don't do." If we don't see our leaders taking action, we don't follow.

The #dothefive is fantastic, but [Hands, Elbow, Face, Space, Stay At Home] isn't visual enough. Masks are super-visual and virus-specific.



Currently and visually, despite 10%+ unemployment and $6Trillion+ in coronavirus spending, we're not **seeing it** in our leaders. Think about it. We, everyday Americans, are drastically changing our lives. But the politicians/leaders look like business as usual. If you turned off the TV/youtube volume, it'd look like any other briefing--angry faces telling you how you should live your lives.



[For example: Senator Rand Paul is infected. CDC says he should be wearing a mask. But we have no pictures of him in a mask: see "https://www.google.com/search?q=rand+paul+facemask+coronavirus". Practice what you preach!]



In supermarkets across the USA, people aren't socially distancing and they aren't wearing masks. (In our communities, only between 25-50% are wearing masks.) In fact, some people are bullied for wearing masks. It should and is personal choice in the USA, but let's prepare. Once infections rise to NYC levels, universal mask wearing is a highly justified precaution.



WHY IT MATTERS

Wearing masks on TV would send a visual signal to everyone, "Consider wearing masks when you're ready. This is real". A visual of leaders (President Trump and bipartisan members of public) crystalizes the moment.



--- A bipartisan group of everyday Americans, including hazmat specialists, doctors/nurses, public health communications professionals, and a few kids who want their parents to start wearing masks and stop pretending it's all okay. The kids are more scared about their moms getting sick than their mom wearing a "scary" mask.



PS. Leaders wearing masks may have caused a panic before, but the past 2 weeks has already created a panic. It's time for leaders to wear masks.



PPS. The CDC already recommends you should wear a mask if you (a) are infected or (b) are around infected people. And, since some "healthy" people with zero symptoms are sometimes carriers/infected.... that kinda means we should be cautious, just in case. (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/respirator-use-faq.html). You wear seatbelts "just in case". And we wear condoms "just in case". And we have first aid kits "just in case". So, get those masks ready, "just in case".







It's overkill now if the infection rate in your community is <100. But, when the infection rate gets to 25 out of 100, you'll need to wear it.



PPPS. We're not talking N95 masks, which probably have their highest value in hospitals. Scarfs, bandanas, anything to cover up is fine to visually communicate. (Though medically, some are better than others) Update 3/31: One petition signer is making 100's of DIY masks and labeling them "not sick, just safer". Perfect way to describe it. #NotSickJustSafer



PPPPS. Yes, medical grade masks are best. However, if you don't have a medical grade mask, a DIY mask is better than nothing. It's about "respiratory droplets", e.g. spit particles. One study said simple masks are MORE effective than frequent hand washing. See Cleveland Clinic's FAQ: https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2020/02/05/frequently-asked-questions-about-2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/





LINKS about mask wearing:

* 4min video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsKfvETXDvg) #Masks4All campaign

* https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/04/01/coronavirus-surgeon-general-says-cdc-asked-review-mask-guidance/5101884002/

* https://www.foxnews.com/health/should-you-make-your-own-face-mask

* https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/03/31/824560471/should-we-all-be-wearing-masks-in-public-health-experts-revisit-the-question

* https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/31/health/cdc-masks-coronavirus.html