Western Illinois University Social Media Lab Begins Campaign to Encourage Mask Usage
MACOMB, Moline, IL – Students in Western Illinois University’s Department of Communication Social Media Lab have been working on a campaign to encourage the University communities in Macomb and the Quad Cities to wear protective masks.
Using the hastags #maskupmacomb #maskupwiu and #maskupqc, WIU Associate Professor of Communication Josh Averbeck and students Josh Brennan, a senior communication major, of Davenport, IA, and Elizabeth Lutz, a senior communication major, of California, MO, have been promoting the campaign on various social media outlets.
“There are many Mask Up campaigns across the country organized by states and universities, ” said Averbeck. “I’ve noticed several hand make signs in Macomb and saw an opportunity to build on a grassroots campaign in town. With a high risk child, this campaign is especially important to me. I want the students to be welcomed back this fall to a safe environment and a community that shows they care for the safety of all.”
Lutz has been working with Averbeck on several research and consulting projects since the social media lab opened in November 2019. Brennan joined the team this summer and manages the lab’s Twitter account. Both students have been promoting the hashtags on social media, as well posts by local agencies and organizations, which encourage the use of masks.
“Masks save lives, even if it isn’t your own,” said Lutz. “We have to unite as a student body and act for something greater than us all.”
Brennan said the campaign is personal to him because he is the parent of a toddler who has a chronic medical condition that puts him at higher risk of contracting COVID-19.
“When considering whether you’ll mask, I encourage you to think about those most susceptible among us, and do your part to slow the spread of the virus and help to protect our entire WIU family,” he said.
The WIU Social Media Lab was formed to give WIU students hands-on experience and to produce content for the Department of Communication’s social media accounts. The lab teaches students new social media analytics tools and participates in social media branding workshops.
For more information on the social media lab or the mask campaign, visit facebook.com/WIUSocialMediaLab.
