Public service announcement: Stay at home this Fourth of July

July 3, 2020

Media contact:
Brooke Federico, (951) 743-0075
Public contact: 2-1-1

Public service announcement: Stay at home this Fourth of July

Riverside County created a public service announcement calling on all residents and visitors to avoid social gatherings this Fourth of July due to the danger of spreading COVID-19. Social gatherings are a known source of spreading the disease.

U.S. Army veteran Ralph Duarte and employee of the Riverside County Department of Veterans Services provided the voiceover for the video in both English and Spanish. Duarte is a Coachella Valley resident who served as an army ranger with the 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Bennington, GA.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has continued to sharply rise recently, along with hospitalizations and ICU usage throughout all of Southern California. This week, the county has reported new records throughout the week for the number of cases reported in a single day.

Health officials are concerned the Independence Day weekend could cause a spike if residents do not adhere to safety guidelines. Everyone has a part to play in flattening the curve and slowing the spread of the disease.

The simple actions of wearing required face coverings, maintaining social distancing and frequent handwashing can reduce the spread by up to 95 percent. “If there was a medicine we could take that would protect us up to 95 percent, we would all take it,” said Dr. Geoffrey Leung, ambulatory director at Riverside University Health System – Medical Center.

Watch the public service announcement here: https://vimeo.com/434961119.

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