BY KAREN BOSSICK

GRAPHS BY PAUL RIES

The trademark Sun Valley sun has a new look this summer—a face mask perched beneath its shades.

Emblazoned on the mask: “Small Ask, Wear a Mask.”

Nick Harman, who works at the Argyros Center for the Performing Arts, came up with the slogan. Matt Gorby, who works at The Casino, came up with the design.

Harman says he hopes it will come across as an important message done in “a nudging respectful sort of way.”

“We’re living in a period of time we will not quickly forget,” he said. “Researchers have shown where masks can help stem the tide of coronavirus. If it became the uniform of employees--from the Sawtooth Club to Sun Valley Outfitters--during the months of July, August and September, it would help get out the message among visitors so we don’t go into this winter worse than we are now.”

Harman was trying out different masks on the logos of various corporations, such as Albertson’s, Starbucks and McDonald’s, when officials from the City of Sun Valley asked him if they could use his mask logo to promote the city facemask ordinance.

Sun Valley Resort signed on as a partner about the same time.

“I am thrilled to partner with Sun Valley Resort with the ‘Small Ask, Please Wear a Mask’ initiative, as they are leveraging the slogan on signage around their resort,” said Nick Harman. “To have one cohesive voice in this endeavor to keep our community safe while we welcome summer visitors is imperative.”

Harman has filed for a trademark for the slogan and is reaching out to cities and corporations across the nation to see if they would like to use the slogan or have him design stickers, window clings, and T-shirts using the slogan.

He is selling T-shirts featuring the masked sun at Madeline + Oliver in Ketchum. He will be happy to sell them at other businesses, as well.

Harman says wearing masks protects others, just as the ban against smoking in bars protects non-smokers from second-hand smoke.

“Given the state of where we were in this town this country back in March, it’s prudent to get on the bandwagon and send a message to those coming into town: ‘Small Ask, Wear a Mask,’ ” he said. “Just the past few days, corporations like Starbucks have mandated masks so now it’s become the new normal.”

Learn more at svmaskask@gmail.com.

THE STATE OF COVID IN THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY

Idaho reported only 393 new cases of coronavirus on Monday--a hopeful statistic after days of 500 or more. The state has 15,266 offiial cases since mid-March and 122 deaths.

Six months after Americans first learned that the coronavirus had entered the country through Washington State, Blaine County reported two new cases on Monday for a total of 558.

As of Monday morning, St. Luke’s Wood River had no inpatients with COVID, said Joy Prudek, spokesperson for the Ketchum hospital.

The hospital started sending samples for testing to Quest this past week. The turnaround time is seven days so there may be a lag in reporting new cases in the county.

St. Luke’s Wood River and other St. Luke’s hospitals is asking those who wish to get tested for COVID not to go to the Emergency Department for a test unless the person is seeking emergency care. Currently, those seeking a test should go through St. Luke’s Clinic—Family Medicine at 1450 Aviation Drive in Hailey. Tests are offered by appointment only at 208-788-3200.

Questions? Call St. Lukes’ COVID hotline at 208-381-9500

ALBERTSONS NOW REQUIRING MASKS

The Boise-based store is now requiring masks to be worn inside all of its stores throughout the nation.