Germantown has long been associated with horses, from the many horse farms in the area to the annual charity horse show that raises money for the Exchange Club Family Center of Memphis and local education programs each year. There’s even a horse in the official city logo! Several years ago, local artists came together to create over 20 fiberglass horse statues with various themes. Today, you can find these horses all over Germantown, from the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf to the Millstone Market and Nursery. They’ve become part of the charm of the city, and now they’re teaming up to help slow the spread of COVID-19!
Germantown may be a quiet community, but it’s also known for its strong character and sense of civic pride. As part of a city initiative designed to encourage residents and visitors to do their part in the fight against this pandemic, the painted horses are now wearing masks to remind and encourage others to do the same. Germantown Fighting Together is a new campaign encouraging individuals to take the role they play in community health seriously by wearing a mask, frequently washing hands, and social distancing.
This helps to protect you, your friends and family, and the Germantown community! When it comes to following the steps outlined in the campaign, the CDC has the following advice.
Cover Your Mouth and Nose with A Cloth Face Cover when You Will Be Around Others
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Everyone should wear a cloth face covering in public settings and when you’re in the presence of people who don’t live in your household. This is especially important when other social distancing methods are difficult to maintain.
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Cloth face coverings should not be placed on children 2 years old or younger or anyone who has breathing difficulties. A face covering should never be placed on anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
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Everyone should wear a cloth face covering in public settings and when you’re in the presence of people who don’t live in your household. This is especially important when other social distancing methods are difficult to maintain.
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Cloth face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing! You should continue to keep at least six feet between yourself and others.
Avoid Close Contact with Other
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When you’re inside your home, you should do your best to avoid close contact with people who are sick. If possible, maintain six feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
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Outside your home, put six feet at least six feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household. Keep in mind that people without symptoms are still able to spread the virus. Everyone wearing masks and keeping their distance is the best way to slow transmission rates.
Wash Your Hands Regularly
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If you aren’t already in the habit of washing your hands frequently, make it a priority. You should aim to regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you’ve been in a public place. Wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing as well.
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If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands!
Let’s Fight Together, Germantown!
John Selberg is Germantown’s Fire Chief and also serves as the City’s emergency management director. He believes that wearing a mask in public, washing your hands frequently, and social distancing are “three small actions [that] can make a big difference for your firefighters and police officers as we continue to do our work.” Doing so will get us all back to work sooner and help our local businesses recover and thrive again. Being mindful in public will also get our community back to a more normal time, where we can gather with friends and neighbors for worship, dining out, sports events, and love music. Don’t let our horses down! It’s up to us to do the right thing and look out for each other. Let’s fight this together, Germantown!
