Health experts have recommended that the public wear masks or face coverings to slow the spread of the coronavirus. But many Americans have chosen not to wear one when out in public.

Officials in Summit have created a contest that they hope will help encourage the town’s residents to wear masks when walking around.

Residents are invited to create 60-second videos explaining why they are wearing a mask. The wining video will be posted on social media and Summit’s town website.

“My No. 1 priority as mayor of this town is to do everything I can to make sure we are as safe as we can be,” says Mayor Nora Radest.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that wearing masks will prevent an individual who may not know that they are infected with the virus from spreading it to other people.

 

But Radest says that it is hard to get the public to agree to wear masks, especially when they see other elected officials choosing not to wear one either.

“People don’t like change. Don’t feel like doing it. There’s others who don’t’ fee it is necessary and other who don’t like being told what to do,” Radest says. “I don’t think anyone has done a good enough job really explaining to people how much this can help.”

The deadline for the video submissions is May 18. More information can be found on the town’s website.

Radest says that she got the idea form New York Gov. Cuomo who is also trying to encourage residents in his state to cover their faces.