Pennsylvania Communities Innovate

The world-wide COVID-19 crisis has caused significant disruption to our daily lives.  On March 16, 2020, Governor Wolf of Pennsylvania increased state-wide mitigation efforts to reduce the spread of this virus.  As a result, social distancing has become the new normal that has forced many residents to stay home from work, closed schools and local businesses, and limited the use of park and recreation facilities. Community leaders and residents are creatively approaching how they can best keep their cities, towns, and villages healthy and assist those in financial distress. 

This change in our daily lives will help "flatten the curve," but it also presents many new, unforeseen challenges to communities and leaders.  Now is the time to be innovative! And, most importantly, safe.

As we work and/or wait at home wondering what is being done, here are ten examples of how Pennsylvanians are working together to look out for the best interests of their communities.  It is amazing how communities come together!

1. Adams County, Pennsylvania County Commissioners extended the discount period for county property taxes to provide financial relief.
2. Under Governor Wolf's directive, all Pennsylvania schools are closed.  Local school officials have creatively deployed their services to ensure that all students have access to lunch.
3. Teachers in the Susquehanna Valley have created Care-a-Vans to drive through their school district communities to wave to their students to stay connected while social distancing.
4. Some larger municipalities create video blogs (VLOG's) by mayors and other prominent community spokespeople to keep their communities engaged with the latest information.
5. Other municipalities of all sizes create and post "Official Statements" on or to local social media groups and social media organization pages.  In some communities, these sites have nearly replaced traditional media sources as ways for residents to stay informed.
6. As COVID-19 essential workers struggle to find childcare, the PA Department of Health and Human Services announced a new tool to assist in finding approved childcare providers.
7. Municipal spokespeople create and send press releases to traditional media sources on official statements of policy, on practices, and other information relevant to community residents and visitors.
8. Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District and Harristown Enterprises created care stations for the homeless on Market Street.  These stations consist of portable toilets and hand-washing stations.
9. Park facilities, when open, have stopped use of playground equipment and other higher-contact amenities but have allowed for walking, biking, and nature watching -- with guidance for appropriate social distancing.  On the national level, here are 2 examples from the National Park Service: 
    - March 20 post 
   -  March 24 post
   
   "Social distancing means avoiding large gatherings and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others when possible. While we're at it, let's remember to keep it 300 feet or more for larger wildlife.
   As services are limited, the National Park Service continues to urge visitors to:
   Check park websites for the most up to date information regarding access.
   Pack out everything you bring into a park and always practice Leave No Trace principles.
   Park only in designated areas. Follow park regulations.
   If you encounter a crowded trailhead or overlook, you're not practicing safe social distancing. Go elsewhere.
   If waving to your friend from six feet away, you're doing it right. If you're waving while standing next to a moose, you're not.
   Visit National Park Service coronavirus page to learn more."
10. Community trail organizations and local recreation departments are also encouraging the practice of social distancing with posters along the trails they maintain. On social media and websites maintained by these organizations, these posters are shared along with photo demonstrations of how far six-feet apart is.

If your community has taken an innovative approach to manage the COVID-19 crisis and the needs of residents and visitors, we'd like to hear about it.  Please take a few minutes to complete the following survey seeking input on needs facing your communities, businesses, and community organizations.

We have included a space for you to share your innovative ideas and stories in the survey. Your responses will help Penn State Extension better understand how best to address community issues and needs related to COVID-19.

The survey will be open until April 30, 2020.  Please share the survey widely.

If you are a municipal leader looking for additional guidance from trusted sources, see Emergency Response to COVID-19 for Local Elected Officials Resources.