The National Association of Manufacturers has unveiled a new ad campaign in several states urging people to wear facemasks or other coverings to curb the spread of COVID-19.

A one-minute video ad shows images of Ohio Stadium, Michigan Stadium and other large sports venues followed by the message, "COVID-19 has taken the lives of more people in the United States than any one of those stadiums can hold."

"Before American COVID-19 deaths exceed two sold-out stadiums, let's act," the ad continues.

The ad will run in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and other manufacturing states, NAM said in a statement. The goal is to illustrate that face coverings are essential to safeguarding jobs and reopening businesses.

"While we have learned more and more about this deadly virus, the guidance from our nation's health care experts has evolved," NAM CEO Jay Timmons said. "Today, we know that the best and most certain way to stop the spread is for everyone to wear a facial covering. It isn't fun. It isn't pleasant. But through shared responsibility, we can get this pandemic under control and save small businesses and jobs."

Timmons also said that if large groups of people refuse to wear masks, "they are condemning their fellow citizens to long-term unemployment and our economy to disaster."

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