The leader of the Oklahoma National Guard is imploring citizens to take proper COVID-19 precautions amid rapidly worsening trends in the state's pandemic trajectory.
"In the last three weeks in Oklahoma, we have had over 57,000 cases of COVID-19. Of that number, over 1,500 people have been hospitalized," says Adjutant General Michael Thompson in a new public service announcement.
"That's why I believe it is so important that until we do have a vaccine that we practice good hygiene, we socially distance and we wear a mask," Thompson says.
"In life, there are things that are hard. Suicide. Suicide is hard. Cancer. Cancer is hard. Wearing a mask to protect our family and friends isn't hard at all. Please, do your part to prevent the spread of COVID-19," Thompson says. "I wish you the best."
The Guard has been involved with Oklahoma's COVID-19 response for month, with missions involving nursing home sanitization, food distribution, test site operations, and more.