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Carlisle coalition seeks to increase mask usage in businesses

“This is a positive initiative. People will know those who’ve joined us by that poster in the window.”

  • Julia Agos/WITF

 Carlisle CAN

(Carlisle) – As the commonwealth deals with a dramatic increase in COVID-19 infections, a midstate coalition is launching an effort to boost mask wearing in businesses.

The Carlisle Community Action Network, or CAN, visited more than 100 businesses that have pledged to encourage mask wearing by staff and customers.

One was the Whistlestop Bookshop on High Street. Owner Jeff Wood was presented with a mask and his certification poster that reads, “Carlisle CAN: Shop Safely, Learn Safely. No need to ask, just wear a mask,” by CAN founder and Dickinson College President Margee Ensign.

She said the effort is about supporting people in the community working to combat the spread of COVID-19.

“This is a positive initiative. People will know those who’ve joined us by that poster in the window,” Ensign said. “So, we really believe that good behavior should be rewarded and that’s partly what we’re doing with this initiative today.”

The group of some 90 members meets virtually each week by Zoom to help solve community issues, whether has to do with the pandemic, racial injustice, or food insecurity.

This week, state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine strengthened the mask wearing mandate to include all indoor settings, even when physical distancing is possible, to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

She noted it will largely come down to businesses to enforce the rule.

CAN member Dr. Jeff Gibelius, Senior Pastor at Second Presbyterian Church in Carlisle, said the initiative is working to create a bandwagon effect.

“I’m wearing a mask. You can wear a mask,” he said. “This is a business that says, ‘We want everyone to be safe,’ so when you come in you gotta wear a mask. That’s the deal.”

On Wednesday, the commonwealth reported 6,339 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily increase since the pandemic began.

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