Mask Up campaign encouraging residents of color, disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, to wear face coverings

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A new campaign called Mask Up to help stop the spread of COVID-19 was rolled out today at City Hall in response to Orlando and Orange County seeing higher cases of COVID-19 in communities of color.

The campaign is a partnership between Onyx Magazine and city, county and community leaders, and aims to create awareness of the seriousness of the virus.

Read: Florida reports more than 6,500 new COVID-19 cases, 45 deaths including 7 in Central Florida

Mask Up billboards will hit communities of color beginning next week. They will showcase local leaders and encourage African American residents to wear a face covering.

“We’re looking at Parramore … to West Lakes, Pine Hills, Richmond Estates (and) Ivy Lane,” said Rich Black with Onyx Magazine.

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Almost 20 billboards at a cost of nearly $15,000 donated will be put up.

“We know that our Black and brown citizens all over America have been disproportionately impacted by the virus itself, so it is important that the one single thing that the health care experts have said to us can stop the spread of the virus, is if we mask up,” Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said.

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