Thursday October 29, 2020 | LANGFORD, BC [Updated from first post on October 17, 2020]
by Mary P Brooke, editor | Island Social Trends
From early on in the pandemic, the City of Langford struck out to advise and support its residents and businesses about the precautions required around COVID-19.
In April the bustling west shore municipality — that saw its streets laid bare of traffic and restaurants and non-essential businesses for the most part closed — closed city hall to drop-ins and organized high-profile efforts to provide non-medical face masks (at cost) to businesses. They encouraged signage in essential retail for directional flow (i.e. arrows, where to stand). They shifted their council and committee meetings to a virtual format using Zoom.
This set the municipality apart from others, in that the rest of BC’s leaders essentially left the job of COVID-related public health information advisories to provincial public health. Most of that effort was then, and is now, delivered through livestreamed announcements by Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix (except during the election when it has been Dr Henry only, sticking to the science).
Understandably, the province wants to keep the message on-science, on-data. And health is under provincial jurisdiction. But in Langford where ‘things get done’, there’s an awareness that people like on-the-ground friendly reminders. Yes, stores and other businesses have signage in their windows. But some text-only, toned-down (taupe colour) signs have popped up around town. These are at eye-level so that people driving, cycling and on foot are reminded in real-time about COVID safety expectations as they go about their day, and it seems to be quietly appreciated. For sure, at least, it does not go unnoticed.
The signs & approach:
The square signs (similar to the size of real estate and election campaign signs) with messaging in white, say things like “Thank You for Keeping a Physical Distance of At Least 6 Feet (2 Meters)” and “Thank You for Staying Home When Sick”. Otherwise, top and bottom on the signs are simply ‘COVID-19’ (in pale orange), and Langford (white text, no logo).
“The signs serve as a reminder to keep up the good work and and as a thank you to everyone for doing their part to keep Langford and the West Shore safe,” says Langford Mayor Stew Young.
It could be said that the provincial government’s approach to COVID-19 public education has taken mostly to the airwaves (TV, livestream, social media); they have certainly utilized the broad reach of those media channels extensively. But not everyone plugs in online or watches TV, and in fact people are exhibiting COVID-fatigue and are tuning-out.
Keeping it real:
Langford has kept it real at a time when the community probably needs a gentle reminder. The municipality and its mayor are known for getting down to business. Here the ‘business’ is about reminding the residents and businesses of the health guidelines, and tacitly showing the city’s support for its residents and overall community during these challenging times.
Mayor Young adds that “Langford residents have been doing a great job of wearing masks and practicing physical distancing in public spaces.”
