Illustration for Headline Surfer / This image from Ormond Beach represents the serenity of community in the municipality.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
ORMOND BEACH, Fla. -- Municipal leaders in Volusia County's northern-most coastal city have unveiled a new slogan in response to the coronavirus pandemic and the importance of social distancing, but also reinforcing the importance of a united community in this difficult time.
The slogan is "Bringing the community together by Keeping Us Apart." It adds, "Please practice social distancing whenever possible during this time."
The slogan is defined as follows: "As we all adjust to the challenges we're currently facing, we just wanted to remind you all that 𝕤𝕠𝕔𝕚𝕒𝕝 𝕕𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕕𝕠𝕖𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕞𝕖𝕒𝕟 𝕤𝕠𝕔𝕚𝕒𝕝 𝕕𝕚𝕤𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕟𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟. We all need each other right now, so please reach out to family and friends and stay connected. We are all in this together! We have weathered many storms here in our little town and though this "storm" is different, the people in our community are the same, and that will make all the difference. Please stay #OBConnected. If you need us, we're here! Share this post to remind your friends and family that you're here too.
Jenn Elston, the city's spokeswoman, said she and others at City Hall collaborated on it as a way to let Ormond Beach's residents know they are important, especially those most vulnerable to the virus, the elderly population.
Ormond Beach is home to 43,475 residents - It's median age is nearly 59 years, reflective of an older population. By contrast, the median age in just over 41, in neighboring Daytona Beach, the tourism hub of Volusia County, that is home to Daytona International Speedway, the home of NASCAR and the Daytona 500 stock-car race.
"We have been publishing a lot of important public health information," Elston told Headline Surfer. "But we also want to balance those messages with encouraging posts that provide practical tips for navigating social distancing. Ormond Beach is a close-knit community and we want our messaging to reflect that same spirit.We really wanted to reach out to our residents in a positive way and let them know that not only are we here for them, but to remind them that their friends and neighbors are too."
"We have been publishing a lot of important public health information," Jenn Elston, Ormond Beach's spokeswoman told Headline Surfer. "But we also want to balance those messages with encouraging posts that provide practical tips for navigating social distancing. Ormond Beach is a close-knit community and we want our messaging to reflect that same spirit.We really wanted to reach out to our residents in a positive way and let them know that not only are we here for them, but to remind them that their friends and neighbors are too."
This first slogan is the beginning of a series of #OBConnected posts that will push out messaging related to helping neighbors, being prepared but not panicking, and giving a virtual pat on the back to local businesses or residents who are rising to the occasion during these challenging times.
A future slogan outlines what is meant by “Distanced, Not Disconnected.” Such examples cited by Elston:
• Identify neighbors who may need assistance getting medications refilled;
• Call your neighbors to chat and provide companionship to those who may be alone;
• If you must go out - wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, wipe down surfaces, etc.;
• If at all possible, stay home.
Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington wass pleased with the slogan, stating, “Our residents count on us for reliable and factual information, but in challenging times we also want them to know that they can count on us to be there for them as well.
Partington added, "Even in a time where social distancing is the recommendation, it doesn’t mean social isolation, and we need our community to reach out to each other in unique ways they may not have before.”