On April 3rd, the Center for Disease Control issued a statement recommending the Use of Cloth Face Coverings, Especially in Areas of Significant Community-Based Transmission. Detroit has one of the highest COVID-19 infection rates in the country and the US now leads the WORLD in the number of COVID-19 cases. Hamtramck is a small 2-square-mile community within the City of Detroit, and while we know that the coronavirus does not respect borders, Hamtramck residents are lucky in that - given its small size - we have great power to make change in our community. Many ordinary citizens have already volunteered to sew masks for people who need them, several small businesses are stocking them in their stores, and our beloved Mayor Karen Majewski, has already recommended that everyone wear masks when going on essential errands.

However, anyone who lives or shops in Hamtramck can see that while most people are heeding the recommendation to wear masks, not everyone is. Hamtramck a densely populated neighborhood with a high poverty rate and a significant elderly population: three factors that make us ALL vulnerable to catching & spreading COVID-19. We've already lost our state rep, Isaac Robinson and respected community leader, Darla Swint to COVID-19 - among others whose names we do not know. Please sign this petition, asking the city council and mayor to REQUIRE employees and shoppers to wear masks or face coverings when inside essential businesses including grocery stores, gas stations, take-out restaurants, the post office, etc). Other areas - including those  with lower rates of infection - have already done it! And who knows.... maybe if we do it, Detroit will follow!

This is NOT a political issue, this is a public health issue!