Posted: 2020-06-29 09:29:41
Headline Surfer photo illustration and video / Beth Bribeault of greater Daytona Beach is shown outside her residence masked up in response to the coronavirus pandemic that has seen a massive spike in infections. But far too few people are taking such precautions so Volusia County has launched a new campaign to encourage residents to become pro-active in combatting the spread of COVID-19. Video: The new campaign is explained in a press conference.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- When Beth Brymer Bibeault is outside her home to tend to her garden, take out the trash or just to go for a walk, she's masked up, especially since she often has her prized cockatoo, Nigel, on her shoulder.
The affectionate bird loves the outdoors and the attention it gets from others - and so Bibeault wears her mask so others know she's doing her part to stop the spread of the dreadful COVID-19.
"I never leave home without a mask - even if I'm just outside soaking up the sun with Nigel," she said. "Nigel loves the attention of neighbors and I want anyone who interacts to know I'm looking out for them by wearing the mask. I also wash my hands and stay at least 6 feet from people that I don't know.
"I never leave home without a mask - even if I'm just outside soaking up the sun with Nigel," Beth Brymer Bibeault said. "Nigel loves the attention of neighbors and I want anyone who interacts to know I'm looking out for them by wearing the mask. I also wash my hands and stay at least 6 feet from people that I don't know.
But not everybody is aware of the importance of wearing a mask and other preventive measures, especially since Florida re-opened its economy when the curve appeared to the flattening, but that may have been premature with so many residents and visitors alike to this tourism hub no longer donning masks when out in public.
And that's why Volusia County leaders have come up with a new campaign with a new slogan to encourage safety precautions in this pandemic: "Wash Up. Back Up. Mask Up."
To protect the community, themselves and loved ones, local, civic, business and healthcare leaders are doing it. Educators are doing it. Athletes are doing it. Celebrities are doing it. Your mayor is doing it – practicing CDC guidelines to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
And you should do it too!
That’s the message of the county's public awareness campaign – Step Up Volusia – that will be rolled out today to reinforce the continuing need for residents to practice hand-washing, social distancing and the wearing of face coverings.
Health experts have said all three are the most effective measures for controlling the spread of COVID-19.
Massive surge in coronavirus cases
With the Sunshine State seeing a surge in coronavirus cases, Volusia County's campaign couldn't be more timely.
The campaign comes at a time when as many as 20 states are experiencing a record surge in new cases.
It's no different here in Central Florida and throughout the Sunshine State.
Florida Health Department officials reported 8,530 new coronavirus cases earlier today, which continues a streak of daily highs for reported COVID-19 infections in the Sunshine State, giving it the distinction of being one of the hot spots for the virus.
Florida hit a single-day record increase on Saturday with 9,585 new reported cases. Friday marked the second highest day with 8,942, followed by today’s 8,530 figure.
The massive surge in COCID-19 cases is something county officials are all too cognizant of while recognizing not many citizens are adhering to the CDC guidelines fir protecting themselves and others from this dreadful disease.
Which is why the campaign will include social media platforms, digital advertising and billboards urging people to follow the public health guidance. Celebrities, recognizable figures, local dignitaries and community influencers will be featured to help bolster the message that now isn’t the time for the community to let its guard down.
Local residents also will be encouraged to participate in the campaign to help share the message.
“In this age of COVID-19, virtually everyone knows the significance of following the health guidance to help slow down and contain the virus,” Volusia County Manager George Recktenwald told Headline Surfer.
“But now, more than three months into the emergency declaration, we want to ensure that complacency doesn’t set in. When it comes to personal responsibility, this isn’t the time to let up. That’s our message, and that’s the reason for this awareness initiative.”
“In this age of COVID-19, virtually everyone knows the significance of following the health guidance to help slow down and contain the virus,” Volusia County Manager George Recktenwald told Headline Surfer. “But now, more than three months into the emergency declaration, we want to ensure that complacency doesn’t set in. When it comes to personal responsibility, this isn’t the time to let up. That’s our message, and that’s the reason for this awareness initiative.”
The campaign also will include messaging on six billboards around the county as well as multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
A website, www.stepupvolusia.org, will be launched for the campaign to host health and safety information along with video messages from prominent figures about the importance of hand washing, social distancing and wearing masks.
Participants include Daytona Beach native Vince Carter, who recently retired after 22 seasons in the NBA for a multitude of teams such as the Toronto Raptors, New Jersey Nets and Orlando Magic; Bo Outlaw, the former power forward with the NBA's Orlando Magic; and JC Chasez of boy-band NSYNC, who also is a songwriter and record producer.
Volusia County residents also will be encouraged to send in their own videos and post and share them on social media, using the hashtag #StepUpVolusia.
Money for the public awareness campaign is coming from the coronavirus relief funds that the county has received through the federal government as part of the CARES Act.
Campaign a collaborative effort
Step Up Volusia: Wash Up. Back Up. Mask Up." is a collaborative effort between the County of Volusia and Volusia County cities and is being coordinated by the Volusia-Flagler Public Information Network (PIN).
Established in 2005, the PIN is an organization of public information officers and communications professionals representing local governments, public safety and first responders, hospitals, the School district, the Health Department and local universities, Daytona International Speedway, chambers of commerce and visitors bureaus as well as the Red Cross and other non-profits in the two-county area.
For more More COVID-19 info & resources can be found here: www.volusia.org/services/
About the Byline Writer: Henry Frederick is publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet launched 12 years ago that serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando, Florida via HeadlineSurfer.com. Frederick has amassed more than a hundred journalism industry awards in print & online -- more than than all other members of the working press combined in Central Florida since the mid-1990s. He earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism with academic honors from Full Sail University in 2019. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and other high profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary programs on Discovery ID and Reelz for his investigative reporting and cops & courts breaking news stories.