Anwan “Big G” Glover has a simple message for Metro riders: “Wear your mask!”

From WMATA:

“DC rapper, go-go artist and actor Anwan “Big G” Glover is taking on a new and important role- helping the community stay healthy in the fight against Covid-19.

Glover, who starred in the hit HBO series “The Wire,” is featured in a new public-service campaign to remind residents that the Covid-19 emergency is not over and to drive up the use of masks, particularly among communities at greater risk of negative health outcomes from the coronavirus.

The ads were inspired by community leader Dr. Reed Tuckson of the Black Coalition Against Covid-19, who approached both parties with the idea of a face-covering public service message. From his tenure serving as DC Health Commissioner during the HIV/Aids crisis, Dr. Tuckson understood the importance of a collaborative, community-based approach to advance health outcomes. Metro leaders and Big G enthusiastically signed on to the project.

“We have to care more about each other and our community. It upsets me when I see so many of us standing around too close together in groups, and not wearing masks,” said Glover. “It is often a struggle to gain respect for the go-go community, as well as our community as a whole so when responsible leaders from the Black Coalition Against Covid reached out and challenged me to lend my influence in this fight, I jumped at the chance.”

Glover grew up riding Metro and is putting his star power behind the campaign, showing fellow riders that wearing a mask or face covering is the right thing to do. The ad features the DC native in his mask telling riders, “I wear my mask and you should too. It ain’t over.”

“I urge everyone, and especially go-go fans, to continue to avoid gathering in groups, practice physical distancing, wear your mask – as I do – every time you go outside, and wash your hands regularly. This is the only way we can come back together. Remember, this ain’t over!” said Glover.

The pandemic hits close to home for Glover who was born and raised in the District and now lives in Prince George’s County, two areas with the highest concentration of cases in the region.

“We all have a shared responsibility to stop the spread of this virus. And we have a special responsibility to protect our most vulnerable neighbors and family members,” said DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Wearing masks, combined with social distancing and frequent hand washing, is a critical way we protect each other and keep our community healthy.”

“When you have someone like Anwan “Big G” Glover helping get the word out, it means a lot to all of us at Metro, especially our frontline transit workers who are out there every day,” said Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld. “Even though the weather is getting nicer, the virus is no less deadly than it was before. That’s why covering your face is so important around other people.”

Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Metro began requiring anyone traveling on Metro use face coverings earlier this month, elevating the “strong recommendation” Metro issued regarding this matter in April. The policy is being implemented to emphasize compliance while minimizing conflict.”