Princeton’s Board of Health and municipal officials are ramping up the safety messaging pertaining to COVID-19, as cases statewide continue rise.
Part of this effort has been a COVID-Safe Community Pledge which has been developed and designed to increase awareness in continuing the community effort against the virus, as well as lessen the fatigue individually to residents from the current pandemic.
“We began circulating the pledge last week and it has already garnered support from state health officials and other health professionals. The goal is to unite and empower our community to feel good about following COVID-19 safety guidance,” Municipal spokesman Fred Williams said.
Some of the actions presented in the pledge include a commitment to COVID-safe etiquette; cooperating honestly and openly with contact tracing; valuing the health of others and a person own health while participating in essential activities (school, work, local business and healthcare); and practicing social distancing at all times outside of the house, according to the pledge.
“We are not going to enforce these as a pledge. It is not from that point of view,” said George DiFerdinando, chair of the Board of Health. “The pledge is part of what we think are the most important things you need to look at.”
Since the coronavirus pandemic spread statewide earlier this year the municipality has been providing information to residents on several forms of communication, whether it is through social media, the municipal website or princetoncovid.org.
“That messaging has covered everything from COVID-19 safety, voting, food insecurity, small business safety guidance, school safety guidance, assistance with quarantine and isolation, understanding contact tracing, and other relevant issues affecting our community,” Williams said. “The Board of Health and the municipality communicate daily to plan messaging and discuss the current trends pertaining to COVID-19 mitigation measures. All aspects of how the pandemic affects our community are discussed.”
Upcoming messages expected from municipal officials will be specific to college students returning home, on how much more diligence will be required in following safety protocols during the winter and a focus on quarantine needs.
In addition to the pledge, Board of Health members are putting together the final touches on further guidance regarding COVID-19 safety.
“I have been working on the guidance document. I think it will be long enough that it will come out in parts. I will give Fred Williams pieces as I finish them. We will put the whole thing on princetoncovid.org,” DiFerdinando said.
Guidance will focus on current information regarding masking, travel, gathering safely during the winter, and what do with welcoming any returning quests and college students in ways that would be safe for everyone.
“The people of Princeton have frankly done a good job and have responded with proportioned wearing of face coverings and social distancing. That effort is reflected in our numbers,” DiFerdinando added. “We now have to double down. Since we know this is the hard part, we are going to point to the things people have to do and do anything we can to help. I think messaging right now is to cut through just the avalanche of information.”