Our work on COVID-19 began in November, 2019, when our Board voted to take immediate action. More, it was just in time.
In fact, they were concerned about initial data findings. Also, the outbreak was first detected in a high population hub.
SARS, a predecessor to COVID-19, was first discovered in the region in the early 2000s. More, it alarmed experts, some who warned that it was a posed a future threat.
We informally formed in 2017 in Michigan. And the predecessor of today’s COVID-19, and the possibility that it would lead to a future pandemic, was one of the first issues we considered.
We had set the goal of formally incorporating in summer, 2020 as a nonprofit. But that all changed with the detection of COVID-19. In fact, our Board took the threat so seriously, that they voted on November 27, 2019 to take immediate action.
Thus, we are the first nonprofit organization to incorporate in direct response to COVID-19. More, the health messages we created in late November, 2019 for COVID-19, are likely the first created in North America.
Then on December 14, 2019, we raised initial funds to launch, incorporating in late December, 2019 in the state of Delaware.
After this, we submitted an application to the Internal Revenue Service, seeking nonprofit 501)c)(3) status. And although we did not specifically request it, they processed our application through their emergency revw office. More, the application was approved in under three business weeks. Our nonprofit status was granted on January 23, 2020 from the IRS. More, that fell only two days after the first COVID-19 case was found in the United States.
Today, we remain committed to work on COVID-19. And this will continue.
Before the first case was ever detected in the United States, we were beginning to hand out masks as a key preventative measure. And to this day, we promote this strategy.
Here are the key mask messages to halt COVID-19:
Masks Telegraph a Key Health Message
A mask is a health message. Wearing one telegraphs an important health message.
A mask reminds the person wearing it that the virus is serious. It also reminds others of the same message, too. In some settings such as schools, masks remain key.
Masks Protect the Person Wearing the Mask
Masks help protect us from the virus. This is key.
Masks Protect Others, too
Masks also protect others if we have the virus. It can be days before symptoms appear. Yet, you could still spread it. Also, some people carry the virus but never experience symptoms themselves.
Please wear a mask. And encourage others, too.
A Face Shield Alone is not enough
A face shield alone will not stop the virus. We first published this story on September 2. It is worth repeating:
A simple study shows the limits of a plastic face shield. And that they will not protect us from the virus. But they have some benefits. Instead, you need to wear a face mask. Masks are key to halting the virus.
A study done at the Florida Atlantic University shows that a face shield alone will not protect the person wearing the shield. Also, they will not protect others.
However, wearing a face mask with the face shield does work.
Face shields alone do not protect us. But they do provide advantages. Experts point out that a face shield will protect the eyes and discourage touching of the face.
Photograph by Christina Morillo