The Beloved Community of Isla Vista has launched a COVID-19 messaging and public service announcement (PSA) campaign to provide helpful tips aimed at reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus among the Isla Vista and UCSB campus community.

Large, colorful signs are on display around Isla Vista sharing slogans like Six Feet Apart But Together At Heart, I’m Staying Home For Those Who Can’t, and Community Is Not Cancelled. Signs are being placed outside area businesses with the words Heroes Work Here to express appreciation for essential workers.

“We wanted to remind everyone that staying healthy and slowing down the spread of the virus requires a true community effort. It’s up to each of us, individually, to take actions that will ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community,” said Yasamin Salari, UCSB Associated Students vice president of local affairs.

“Wearing a mask, social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings can help to keep COVID-19 from spreading,” Salari said. “Isla Vista is a densely compacted area, and we need to remember that the start of summer is not the moment for us to go back on all the progress we have made over the past four months on containing and slowing down the spread of this virus.”

The office of the EVOLA secured funding from the AS COVID-19 Response Task Force, and free masks are being distributed at the Pardall Center, Isla Vista Food Co-op, and the Isla Vista Clinic to aid in the effort.

As part of the Beloved Community COVID-19 campaign, a series of radio PSAs is airing on KCSB 91.9 FM, the student-led community radio station at UCSB. Using a variety of student and community voices to deliver upbeat inspirational messages in English, Spanish and Mandarin. Some of the radio spots are also being used in videos that can be shared on social media.

In addition, colorful stickers with campaign slogans are on order to be handed out at local businesses, in an effort to encourage physical distancing, embracing community solidarity, and acknowledging that people are stronger together. Individuals can also add a frame to their Facebook profile photo by searching for Beloved Community Isla Vista.

“With COVID-19 cases on the rise in Isla Vista and across California, and data showing that higher numbers of younger people are testing positive while showing no symptoms, it’s important to keep up efforts to slow down the spread of the disease,” the Beloved Community says.

“Our Beloved Community COVID-19 campaign is a gentle reminder that each of us needs to do our part to help keep each other healthy,” it says.

To see images, hear PSAs or learn more about the Beloved Community of Isla Vista COVID-19 Messaging Campaign, visit https://www.facebook.com/ivbelovedcommunity/, tune to KCSB 91.9, or visit https://www.kcsb.org/six-feet-apart-but-together-at-heart-the-beloved-community-of-isla-vista/.

Beloved Community of Isla Vista is a community group formed in 2016 when members of UCSB Associated Students, Isla Vista community and campus leaders recognized a need to come together to heal on the second anniversary of the Isla Vista tragedy of May 23, 2014, when six students lost their lives.

Beloved Community hosts annual events featuring community-led workshops, presentations, art exhibitions, critical conversations, community meals, and other forms of engagement that showcase the people, history, culture, and place-making in Isla Vista.

Beloved Community is expanding its work by engaging in year-round efforts that broadly identify Isla Vista as a community that embodies the beloved community principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., focusing conversations on equity, inclusion, activism and social justice. For more information, visit https://ourislavista.as.ucsb.edu/.