Trinity Health Joins Top U.S. Hospitals in Plea for Everyone to #MaskUp

LIVONIA, MICH., November 19, 2020 — Trinity Health, the national parent organization of Mercy Health and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, has partnered with a hundred of the nation’s top health systems, representing thousands of hospitals in communities across the U.S., to make the urgent plea for all Americans to mask up in an effort to slow the surging COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 11.5 million Americans have tested positive for the virus – including an additional one million in just the past week – leading to nearly 250,000 deaths, according to Health and Human Services reports.

"We are all empowered to change the course of this pandemic and that starts by wearing a mask," said Michael A. Slubowski, president and chief executive officer of Trinity Health. "The numbers are staggering but if we come together, today, this moment, we can save lives."

Though there has been positive news recently about vaccine development, it will take time for all Americans to be vaccinated. In the meantime, Trinity Health encourages everyone to remain vigilant, take precautions as advised by the Centers for Disease Control and follow local public health orders.

"Because we know masks slow the spread of this devastating virus, this has truly become a necessary act of compassion for the ones we love, for our friends and neighbors, for the common good," said Slubowski. "Together, let's #maskup!"

A public service message will run nationally, and hospitals and health systems across the country, including Trinity Health, continue to come together to share these essential messages within the communities they serve.

The national message reads:


“As the top nationally-ranked hospitals, we know it’s tough that we all need to do our part and keep wearing masks. But, here’s what we also know: The science has not changed. Masks slow the spread of COVID-19. So, please join us as we all embrace this simple ask: Wear. Care. Share with #MaskUp. Together, wearing is caring. And together, we are saving lives.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points to recent studies that have shown facemasks successfully limit spread of the COVID-19 virus. Wearing facemasks protect in key ways: by protecting the wearer against inhalation of harmful pathogens and particulates and by preventing exposure of those around the wearer.

In addition to masking, the CDC suggests that everyone minimize the number of non-household contacts, maintain a physical distance of at least six feet, limit the amount of time around others, especially while indoors and in poorly ventilated areas, and wash your hands often. For further information about masking guidelines – how to choose a mask, how to properly wear a mask – visit the CDC website. Learn more about care during this pandemic at the Trinity Health's COVID-19 information center.

About Trinity Health Michigan

Trinity Health Michigan is a leading health care provider and one of the state’s largest employers. With more than 24,000 full-time employees serving numerous counties, Trinity Health Michigan is composed of eight hospitals, including the five hospitals of Saint Joseph Mercy Health System located in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Howell, Livonia and Pontiac, and the three-hospital Mercy Health, operating in Grand Rapids and Muskegon. The health system has 2,348 beds and 3,400 physicians. With operating revenues of $3.4 billion, Trinity Health Michigan returns $195 million back to their local communities each year. Together with numerous ambulatory care locations, three home health agencies, one hospice agency and 17 senior living communities owned and/or operated by Trinity Health, Trinity Health Michigan provides the full continuum of care for Michigan residents.

Nationally, Trinity Health is among the country's largest Catholic health care systems. Based in Livonia, Michigan, with operations in 22 states, Trinity Health employs about 129,000 colleagues, including 7,500 physicians and clinicians. The system has annual operating revenues of $18.3 billion, assets of nearly $27 billion, and returns about $1.2 billion to its communities annually in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. For more information, visit www.trinity-health.org.