City Reminds St. Pete Residents To Keep It Clean Through Toolkit

ST. PETERSBURG, FL —As St. Pete residents start to partake in activities that they were forced to refrain from due to the coronavirus pandemic such as working out at the gym, going to restaurants and other activities, the city of St. Pete reminds everyone with their Restart St. Pete Toolkit to continue to follow the Center for Disease Control to help keep everyone healthy.

In a Facebook Live video presented by the city of St. Pete that featured Mayor Rick Kriseman on May 19, he asked residents to share the toolkit with others and with businesses.

The kit opens with "There are government directives and orders, and then there is The St.Pete Way. As we work to Restart St. Pete, here’s how you can help us keep our city healthy."

Tips For Residents from the Restart St. Pete Toolkit

• Wash your hands for 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Health professionals have recommended singing or humming “Happy Birthday” twice while washing.
• Be respectful by putting six feet of distance (or about the wingspan of a Brown Pelican) between yourself and others when outside your home, especially those who aren’t feeling well or a part of a vulnerable population. Avoid groups.
• The Center for Disease Control recommends wearing a cloth face cover when social distancing is not possible. We agree (the city), and strongly encourage you to wear one whenever possible. It is an unselfish act that will help to protect those around you in the event you are asymptomatic.
• In St. Pete, we pride ourselves on our clean neighborhoods, beautiful park system, and the sparkling waters of Tampa Bay and Boca Ciega Bay. It’s time we work together to extend that cleanliness to frequently touched surfaces at our homes and businesses. We’ll be doing our part at all city government facilities. Also, don’t forget about those cell phones!

Stay Healthy

• Healthy St. Pete is a City of St. Petersburg initiative led by the St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department. The mission of Healthy St. Pete is to build a culture of health in our city by making the healthy choice the easy choice through a collaborative community effort. Every day, we are working to improve health outcomes, reduce health inequities, and strive to implement policies and programs that give all citizens the opportunity to reach and enjoy optimal health. This initiative is designed to encourage our community to Eat, Shop, Live and Play Healthy in a city where the sun shines on all.

BE KIND.

• Mayor Rick Kriseman has proclaimed St. Pete a “City of Compassion”. Now, more than ever, we must look out for each other; not only to ensure the health of our community but to get through this challenging time together. Be a good neighbor by ensuring a vulnerable resident doesn’t leave the house unnecessarily. Connect with a friend or loved one via a phone call or other technology. Be generous by not taking more than you need when shopping for groceries or supplies. If you can, give back. Many non-profit organizations are in need of resources. Dr. Catherine Barrett, the founder of The Kindness Pandemic, recently said “Kindness won’t make COVID-19 go away, but it will make our lives easier and more rewarding.” This is another opportunity to show the world what we’re made of here in St. Pete.