Kelly Hayes
The city of Tampa is launching a new COVID-19 prevention campaign to encourage mitigation efforts as the holidays near.
The initiative is an offshoot of the #HappyATHomeTPA campaign, which the city created in March at the start of the pandemic.
It includes a one-minute commercial PSA that recites a COVID-19 themed poem mimicking “The Night Before Christmas.”
“Twas a week before Christmas, when all through the house, not a suitcase was packed, not even a blouse,” the ad reads.
The ad encourages individuals to celebrate the holidays at home, with only those in their immediate household, to avoid spreading the virus.
“Home for the holidays is different this year, it means celebrating in your own home to protect those we hold dear,” the PSA reads. “Let’s make the season extra special and full of cheer, by spreading kindness — and not the virus —so we can celebrate together again next year.”
The new campaign will include a series of graphics and videos designed to remind people of the importance of practicing COVID-19 safety amid celebrating the holidays.
“This holiday season, we want folks to remember what truly matters: The health and wellbeing of ourselves and those we love most,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor in a news release. “No one wants to start the new year feeling sick, in a hospital, or potentially on a ventilator.”
The campaign offers guidelines on celebrating the holidays safely, encouraging people to wear a mask, avoid large gatherings and rethink travel plans.
This holiday campaign is a part of Tampa’s series of new initiatives throughout the month to emphasize COVID-19 safety as cases rise across the Bay.
Hillsborough County saw 494 new cases from Sunday morning to Monday morning, according to the Florida Department of Health’s report released Monday. This comes after a peak seen last Wednesday, where the county reported 927 new cases, followed by 896 on Thursday and 712 on Friday.
In the last week, the county has reported a 28.6% increase in cases and in the last two weeks, a 40.6% increase.
“By being responsible and celebrating the holidays safely from home, we can protect our family members, our friends, our neighbors and our community,” Castor said in a news release. “While ‘home for the holidays’ may look different this year, we are lucky that there are so many great ways to celebrate the season here in Tampa.”
