KALAMAZOO, MI -- Scattered throughout Kalamazoo’s Stuart neighborhood are homemade signs that encourage passersby to “Slow the spread to save lives.”

Designed to encourage and keep the community positive during the coronavirus outbreak, the signs were made by Western Michigan University graduate student Katharine Rose, who lives in the neighborhood.

“I felt like, every time I went out to the grocery store, people were not being tuned in. And I really wanted to do something that was, like, ‘Come on Kalamazoo, we can be a team, we’re all Michiganders,’” Rose said. “So, I was just hoping people would see the signs and remember a little bit.”

Related: Michigan coronavirus numbers now at 2,856 cases, doubling in three days

Rose and her boyfriend, Mohammed Hashim, put eight signs out wherever they thought people would see them. Mostly, they are intended to be a reminder that ordinary people in the community have the ability to help save lives by heeding the advice of public health officials and government leaders.

“I put them out also at the trailheads because people were congregating at the trailheads all day yesterday,” Rose said. “So, I wanted everyone to make a team effort, we need a positive, team effort.”

Katharine Rose poses for a portrait on the front porch of her home with her boyfriend Mohamed Hashim in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday, March 26, 2020. (Kendall Warner | Mlive.com) Kendall Warner | MLive.com

The COVID-19 global pandemic has triggered numerous executive orders from Michigan’s governor, including Monday’s stay-at-home order, which instructs all residents to remain in their homes, leaving only when absolutely necessary, for three weeks.

“When I watched the governor’s address to the state this morning, I was really happy to see her say, ‘Go Michiganders,’ and her slogan is save lives,” Rose said.

Related: Police chief, sheriff address enforcement of governor’s ‘stay home’ order in Kalamazoo County

She hopes the homemade signs will do a little to remind her neighbors of the same, crucially important message.

“I just felt like, what better way to spend $80 than to make a little community reminder," Rose said.

Complete coverage of coronavirus in Michigan.

PREVENTION TIPS

Michigan’s State Emergency Operations Center is coordinating state-government resources and the response to the coronavirus spread. It has shared the following tips.

What you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases:

Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

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