Residents Encouraged To Take “Back On The Bull” Pledge To Help Durham Recover

DURHAM, NC – Following on the success of the “Back on the Bull” campaign to help Durham businesses safely reopen and remain open, the Durham Recovery & Renewal Task Force (RRTF) has rolled out a “Back on the Bull” pledge, part of the ongoing health and safety campaign from the City and the County of Durham in, response to COVID-19. Taking the pledge is a way for residents to commit to the actions that will help Durham recover and encourage others to do the same.

The pledge asks residents to get the vaccine, continue wearing face coverings before and after vaccination, and support local businesses responsibly.

“Joining us and taking the pledge is a simple way that residents can help Durham get back to the things we enjoy doing in person in the place we call home,” said City of Durham Mayor Steve Schewel. “I took the Back on the Bull pledge because I love Durham. I know that if we could all get vaccinated, continue wearing face masks, and socially distance, we can speed up the day when we are going to be able to hug our loved ones and see each other in person again. We are going to beat COVID-19 together, and this is the way to do it.”

(Watch) Mayor Schewel Pledges to Get Back on the Bull

The pledge is online at BackontheBull.com/Pledge, suggesting straightforward, actionable steps that will help Durham rebound from the pandemic. Recovery starts with the distribution of the vaccine – a safe, free, and effective public health measure. As of May, around 147.5 million people had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in the United States; 130,380 of that number are from Durham County – approximately 40% of Durham residents.

A tool for residents to learn more about how to get the vaccine in Durham, the pledge also outlines how wearing face coverings is a proven action to prevent the spread of the virus. With variants of the virus that are more contagious, it is important to continue wearing masks – sometimes two – to protect one another until doctors say it is safe to stop doing so. Durham Has You Covered is another RRTF initiative and resource linked within the pledge, for residents to easily find locally produced face coverings. 

The pledge has already garnered widespread support from respected community members, elected officials, faith leaders, small business owners, and members of Durham’s arts community. From the RRTF co-chairs, Senator Natalie Murdock, and Duke University President Vincent Price to McMannen United Methodist Church Pastor Donna Banks, The Chicken Hut Owner Tre Tapp, Durham’s Cultural Advisory Board Member E’Vonne Coleman, and Zweli’s Kitchen Owners Leonardo and Chef Williams, support of the pledge is personal and compelling. Videos with quotes from each of these individuals and many others can be found on BackontheBull.com/Pledge as well as the City of Durham’s YouTube channel.  

(Watch) The Chicken Hut’s Tre Tapp Pledges to Get Back on the Bull

To date, more than 1,200 Durham-based businesses – nearly 200 that are Black-owned – have completed the “Back on the Bull” health and safety checklist, a tool with evidence-based guidelines developed with and approved by the Durham County Department of Public Health. When fulfilling the pledge and supporting local businesses responsibly, residents are encouraged to check the database of businesses first to see what health and safety practices local restaurants and storefronts have committed to reducing risk.

By taking the pledge and sharing it with others, you can help us build broad awareness of, support for, and confidence in the basic steps we each can take to speed up Durham’s recovery and renewal from COVID-19. Take the pledge and let’s get Back on the Bull.