Patton Township supervisor promotes wearing face masks by encouraging photos, action
During a pandemic, no outfit is complete without one accessory — a mask.
That mindset is what inspired Anita Thies to create a public Facebook group, Caring Masks — Centre County. The group features pictures of those who wear masks and show how others are working to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“Wearing a mask shows you care about your own health and that of your friends and family, neighbors and community, schools and businesses,” said Thies, who is a Patton Township supervisor but created the page as a resident.
She was motivated in part by another Facebook group, Stores Requiring Masks — Centre County, a business-related group with nearly 2,000 members who share their experiences and observations while visiting local establishments.
Thies wanted to further enhance community efforts to promote masking in the area, but her page is focused on imagery.
“They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This group will emphasize pictures, not words,” she said. “We invite you to share pictures of you and your masks to inspire others. As you share your outer mask, please also share your inner kindness, remembering that children will be seeing your pictures.”
All posts must be “positive, respectful and lighthearted,” with Thies serving as page administrator and moderator.
Thies has also been active in promoting masking as an elected official.
The board of supervisors is set to consider a resolution at its Wednesday meeting that will promote masking, said board chair Betsy Whitman, and it is “all thanks to Anita.”
Following the lead of the Centre County board of commissioners and Bellefonte Borough, the resolution will endorse the statewide order that requires masks to be worn outside when unable to social distance, in public buildings and on public transportation.
“My pet peeve with resolutions is that they often don’t have teeth,” Whitman said. “We will put our heads together and come up with actionable items, but we don’t have anything as of yet.”
For now, the township’s approach to the statewide order will come in the form of education, Whitman said.
