PIMA COUNTY, September 4, 2020 – The Pima County Health Department and the University of Arizona are collaborating to increase facemask use on Tumamoc Hill.
Tumamoc Hill, managed by the University of Arizona in partnership with Pima County, requires all users to wear masks while exercising, due to the difficulty of maintaining 6 feet of physical distance from others during peak walking hours. Facemask use on Tumamoc Hill has been around 60% in the mornings, but worryingly lower in the evenings, between 30-40%.
The Health Department is staffing a table during peak hours on Tumamaoc this September to hand out free masks, and answer any COVID-19 related questions community members have.
“We know some people may not realize face masks are required on Tumamoc Hill right now,” said Emily Bressler, Program Specialist with the Health Department. “Our goal is to inform people how effective wearing a mask is in stopping the spread of COVID-19, and to help hikers wear masks to make sure Tumamoc can remain open.”
With the holiday weekend coming up, more visitors are expected on Tumamoc Hill.
“A wonderful thing we have seen reinforced during this time is how important Tumamoc Hill is for the Tucson community,” said Dr. Ben Wilder, Director of the Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill. “This partnership with the Health Department is a fantastic example of how we can better educate and support our community, and find ways to strike a balance between needed exercise and connection and keeping each other safe and healthy.”
The Pima County Health Department will be handing out free masks at Tumamoc Hill on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. through the end of September 2020. Contacts: Dr. Ben Wilder, Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill, bwilder@arizona.edu or (520) 621-6949 or Caitlin Jensen, Pima County Communications, 520-339-8631 or caitlin.jensen2@pima.gov.
More Stories
TUCSON PARKS AND RECREATION ANNOUNCES WINTER POOL SCHEDULE
REID PARK ZOO WELCOMES ANOTHER AFRICAN ELEPHANT
Extended Parking Meter Hours Proposed for Tucson
THE SOUTHERN ARIZONA ALLIANCE FOR BILINGUAL EDUCATION (SAABE) ANNOUNCES ITS FOURTH ANNUAL WALK FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER
Fentanyl Crisis
Tucson International Airport (TUS) launches Spanish-language campaign