New Campaign Encourages Masks Be Worn In Cherokee County

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — With the COVID-19 case count in Cherokee County and the rest of Georgia continuing its upward trajectory, the Cherokee County Board Commissioners has launched a campaign to remind the community to protect themselves and others against the spread of COVID-19. The board approved the motion, 5-0, at its July 21 meeting to launch the campaign.

“We hope our citizens will make the decision to support the health of the community and mask up,” Commission Chairman Harry Johnston said.

The campaign will include custom messaging related to handwashing, social distancing and wearing a mask when social distancing is not possible, and will be distributed through the county’s various social media platforms utilizing the hashtag #CherokeeTogether.

The Mask Up Cherokee campaign is also providing free masks for citizens who want them. Starting Monday, face masks can be picked up from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Marshal’s Office substation at the Cherokee County Administration building, 1130 Bluffs Parkway in Canton, and at both of the Cherokee County Tax Commissioner office locations at 2780 Marietta Highway in Canton and 155 Towne Lake Parkway in Woodstock.

Face masks will be located in the lobbies of each location and are limited to one pack per household with five masks included in each pack. Citizens are encouraged to follow the manufacturers washing instructions located on the packaging prior to wearing. The mask distribution is based on the honor system and are first come, first served.

Cherokee County received a large supply of face masks from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency last March. To date, the county has distributed over 65,000 cloth masks to public safety personnel, city and county governments, and to the low-income and homeless population within Cherokee County through partnerships with local nonprofits.

This article originally appeared on the Canton-Sixes Patch