Local Agency Launches Campaign to “Stop the Strain” on Hospitals and Workers

To help reduce the growing strain on U.S. health systems and workers, Lewis Communications today launched a nationwide public awareness campaign and pledge to urge all Americans to stay at home and “Act Contagious.”

The strategy behind the campaign is simple and urgent. “The best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 is to act like you already have it,” said Lewis CEO, Larry Norris. “Therefore, the best thing we can all do for our communities, especially hospitals and caregivers, is to stay home and self-quarantine.”

By design, participation is easy. Supporters can simply post a photo or video of themselves staying at home to #ActContagious. Then, tag @ActContagious on Instagram or on Twitter at @Act_Contagious to challenge others to do the same.

By posting, supporters pledge and encourage others to stay at home except for essential services like food, pharmacy or healthcare.

According to Norris, Lewis has been “acting contagious” for nearly two weeks, closing their three U.S. offices and equipping all 140 employees to work from home.

Lewis is uniquely qualified to lead a national health initiative. The firm has served over 100 leading health systems and created the highly-successful #LiveSugarfreed campaign in 2017. That campaign produced a 4 percent decrease in soda sales in Appalachia, considered “ground zero” for sugary beverage consumption and has since been implemented in other regions.

Norris says the #ActContagious pledge is designed to create an equally positive impact for the agency’s healthcare clients and peers nationwide.

“Anything we can do to stop the strain on hospitals is a priority for our firm and should be for every American. ‘Acting contagious’ will absolutely save lives, and pledging to do so will serve those on the front lines.”

About Lewis:
Lewis Communications is a marketing and advertising firm for leading health systems, corporations, and consumer brands. The firm has offices in Birmingham, Mobile and Nashville, and is dedicating this effort to their friends and clients serving on the front lines of the crisis.

What to do:
Pledge to stay at home and self-quarantine except for essential services like food pharmacy and healthcare. Just post a photo or video of yourself staying at home and tag @ActContagious on Instagram or @Act_Contagious on Twitter while using the hashtag #ActContagious. Then, copy and paste these instructions and tag a friend to challenge them to do the same. ** Private accounts will not auto-populate in the Instagram or website feed. We reserve the right to repost tagged and hashtagged images.

Learn more at: www.ActContagious.com.