Local business and community leaders from across the county sent in pictures and a reason why they wear a mask as part of a public health campaign to encourage mask usage in public. According to health and business professionals, wearing a mask, along with social distancing and handwashing, is one of the best actions we can take to prevent spreading Covid-19 as the state slowly re-opens. The effort also helps out local businesses by keeping customers and employees safe and ensuring people feel safer in conducting day-to-day business. If you wish to post your own pictures or reasons please do so on Facebook or Twitter under the #coverharvey
“I’m wearing a mask to protect our essential workers.” -Angela Becker, Newton Board of Education
“I wear a face mask so I don’t spread disease in case I’ve got the virus and don’t know it yet. And so others who want to protect themselves and their loved ones don’t feel alone in their worries.” -Sara Dick, general manager of Newton Et Cetera Shop
“Wearing a face mask significantly reduces the risk of transmitting COVID-19, and while we are still getting used to them, the different designs and styles of them are starting to grow on us!” Sam Gatz, Newton Chiropractic
“I wear a mask in public because I care about the well-being of our community.” -Bethel College President Jon Gering
“I wear a mask to keep the curve flattened and to protect our precious healthcare workers and first responders.” -Val Gleason, Newton Medical Center CEO
“If it will help us get back to church, school and business, I’ll wear the mask.” -Tim Hodge, State Representative
“Let’s do our part to help us all stay safe. Who cares what it looks like? A small sacrifice” -Leroy Koehn, Newton mayor, owner of Koehn Painting Co.
“We wear masks so that our customers feel safe!” -Ashleigh Lakey, Norm’s owner
“I love Hesston and Harvey County. I am trying to do a good job of following the suggested guidelines for wearing a mask. It’s not really fun or easy, but none of this is fun or easy.” -Susan Lamb, Hesston Board of Education member
“I do it for my family!” Sal Lujano, Intrust Bank
“Be safe for yourself and others” -State Senator Carolyn McGinn
“We wear masks at all times to protect our customers and each other. We believe it is another way to show that we care.” -Patty Meiers, Mojos owner.
“Now, more than ever, we need to communicate carefully. A polite, reserved smile to a stranger won’t translate from behind a mask. We have to smile with our eyes and speak gently with our voice.” -Kristin Neufeld Epp, director of New Creation Preschool
“Yes, I feel weird in it. Yes, it’s uncomfortable. Yes I love my family and friends and everyone in Newton more than I’m inconvenienced by it. It’s for them.” -Robert Palmer, owner of Back Alley Pizza
“I wear a mask to do anything I can to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. I want to protect my family, my team at work, my community and myself!” -Casie Powell, Krueger Insurance Management Inc.
“I wear my mask when I zip out for groceries for my family.”-Lynnette Redington, Harvey County Health Department Director
“I live and work in the Newton community. The Golden Rule is a guide I use in my life and strive to teach others: ‘Treat others as you would like others to treat you.’ I wear my mask to protect you. Will you protect me?” -Zandra Sawatsky, occupational therapist
“I find it helpful to remind myself that my actions not only impact me but also have the potential to impact others.” -Matt Schmidt, CEO of Health Ministries
“I, myself, and family and friends have underlying health conditions; me, Type 1 Diabetes; I am helping slow the spread of COVID-19 by wearing my homemade face mask! -Melissa Schreiber, Newton Board of Education.
“Keeping My Germs to Myself” -Matt Treaster, President of Newton Board of Education.
“I care about being a part of a community.” -Toby Tyner, Newton Board of Education
“My wife,Terri, made several sets of masks for us. Always wear them in crowded stores.” -Chip Westfall, Harvey County Commissioner