Navicent urges young people to wear masks

A COVID-19 spike in Bibb County has staff at The Medical Center Navicent Health encouraging young people to wear masks.

41NBC’s Peyton Lewis has more.

Has 641 cases.

These are not active cases-- just the total number of reported cases over time.

The covid-19 spike in bibb county has staff at the medical center navicent health encouraging young people to wear masks.

And they're turning to social media to spread the message.

41nbc's peyton lewis has more.

0:17 0:43 1:15 "we again want to flatten that curve, i know that's been the catch phrase of 2020 and you're going to start hearing it again."

Doctors at medical center navicent health say they're seeing an uptick in the number covid cases among people in their 20's and 30's.

"we feel like if we can connect to that population in a meaningful way, maybe we can get them to wear a mask."

That's why the hospital started an online challenge called # why i mask.

Doctors are asking younger people to share why they wear a mask, and hopefully encourage others to do the same.

The public relations coordinator for navicent megan allen says the influence of social media can be a powerful tool in flattening the curve.

"we're definitely influenced by others.

We share ideas with each other and that can be a good thing when we're sharing ideas and gaining new information."

Emergency medical director, dr. john wood says the nice weather and the time of year may be contributing to the increase in cases.

"you know i think it is summer time, i think people are out and together, and people are having cookouts and gatherings and going to the lake and things like that, and they may not be quite as vigilant about social distancing and masking as we'd like them to be."

*standup* to take part in the why i mask challenge, take a photo or video of yourself wearing your mask and explain why you wear it.

Then post it on social media and be sure to use the hashtag why i mask so the c1 3 b13 doctors at navicent can see it.

In macon peyton lewis, 41 nbc news.

Doctors continue to encourage the community