What started off as a small idea at Saint Agnes Medical Center is snowballing into a full-blown social media movement.

Several hundred Saint Agnes employees signed onto the “Pledge to Protect” campaign. The goal is to raise awareness about the key ways to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the Fresno area.

The Pledge

I pledge…

• To wear a mask in public, to do my part to prevent the spread of the virus.
• To maintain physical distancing whenever possible.
• To wash my hands often to prevent my germs from spreading.
• To take COVID-19 seriously to flatten the curve so fewer lives are affected by this disease.
• To protect the ones I love.

Began With Hospital Staff

“We started it internally with our own staff and physicians to really encourage them to wear masks socially distance and wash their hands,” said Saint Agnes corporate communications director Kelley Sanchez on a Zoom call Friday with reporters.

The Fresno State Athletics program also took notice and joined in with a social media post.

https://www.facebook.com/fresnostateathletics/posts/10159618452842195?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARB9ZpIyJ6D4LS63DI93a8yTBQXzo7QhfGWzZ-XOgX8L8dHNI-V5Ru_Q1C7USTV7wAPpsOgPH4WcolAoRhKcwAii9YOFXBumB33HTODCNEF9baA-NJsiflJFutyAnmyEwJh2nOBCcN_Zv8o9EfTL1Uzh3ySnlDwGp21K6g_PJqJn9WoT1-t6HH-ipaAHjtNfkivgkGPw2c7m8xBBrUn-qRZyR34NntZBw_ms66B4Et9SMSCseiqhU4TnAJeOD50nqGiQV1UVl9bVfbFaZbCr9RTl5akn6vGKCT4dUbt6WO2oj0MAs2hWQV1uf5Gz4maT9ZPSBY4iPh3nGL_PcA&__tn__=-R

Social Media Campaign

“On social media, we’ve been asking people to send photos of people that they pledge to protect,” Sanchez said

The hospital is also asking people to tag them on social media so they can share the photos of people doing their part.

Here are a few of the social media posts you may come across:

“Not all superheroes wear capes. The heroes in our community wear masks. Anytime you suit up to leave home, make sure you have a mask to reduce the spread of respiratory droplets from person to person. #pledgetoprotect #wearingiscaring”

“We know how important meaningful social interaction is, especially while living through constant stress and upheaval. Hugs and handshakes are tempting but physically distancing yourself from others can keep you and your loved ones safe. #pledgetoprotect #sixfeetapart”

“Twenty seconds might seem like an eternity, but if taking the time to properly wash your hands frequently throughout the day makes the difference in your family’s safety, those twenty seconds will seem like a small price to pay. #pledgetoprotect #washyourhands #20seconds”