'Proud to Protect Pittsburgh' campaign urges public health steps to prevent covid-19 spread

Proud to Protect Pittsburgh, a public service initiative promoted by regional business leaders, is encouraging Pittsburghers to take concrete steps to prevent the spread of covid-19. Launched Friday, its central message is: “Be proud to do the ‘right things’ now to protect each other and let us all get back to enjoying life in the region we love.”

“It’s game time for the people of Pittsburgh in our fight against covid-19,” said Franco Harris, the Steelers star and businessman who is supporting the campaign. “We have to team up and work together. That will help us protect each other, our hospitals, schools, businesses and our entire economy, and put us on a path to once again enjoying our favorite parts of Pittsburgh.”

Every Pittsburgher should wear a mask, abide by social distancing guidelines and follow guidance set forth by health officials, said Argo AI CEO Bryan Salesky, who is co-leading the campaign with Laura Karet, CEO of Giant Eagle. Karet is leading the Covid-19 Resurgence Task Force of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, where she is incoming chair. Salesky is also chair of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, an affiliate of the Allegheny Conference.

“This is about being a good neighbor and being proud to be a Pittsburgher,” Salesky said. “If we want Pittsburgh to look the same 10 months from now as it did 10 months ago, we all have to do our part. Doing our part means following those basic rules. If we do that, we will get through the finish line.”

Though it may be tempting to stray from the standard covid-19 guidelines around the holidays, Salesky said, it’s increasingly important to remain vigilant now, as covid-19 cases climb in the region.

“It puts our businesses, health care workers, and front-line workers in danger,” he said. “We need people not to get lax with following the rules — we need people to stay strong. If we do that, we can get back to things we love about Pittsburgh.”

The campaign will encourage Pittsburghers to be vaccinated against covid-19 once the vaccines become widely available, he said.

The campaign emphasizes supporting local businesses that have been hit hard by the pandemic and the restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the virus.

“Small businesses are really at risk of closing, even despite the stimulus,” Salesky said. “We have to buy local, support your corner store, support Main Street.”

He urged people to get takeout from local restaurants while dine-in service is prohibited, buy gift cards from small businesses and shop local.

“Our small businesses create jobs and economic opportunities, and they also give Pittsburgh its distinctive appeal and character. They are an essential part of our region,” Salesky said.

The Proud to Protect Pittsburgh initiative urges people to band together as a community, acting as good neighbors by following public health guidelines and supporting local businesses.

“Southwestern Pennsylvania is more of a community than a slice of geography. We care for each other like neighbors, even though we don’t necessarily live next door,” Karet said. “Right now, that spirit will serve us well and help to move us forward to better times in the new year. I’m confident that Pittsburghers will embrace this opportunity to wear Pittsburgh pride on their sleeves — and on their masks — and come together to help protect each other and the places that mean so much to us.”

The other members of the Covid-19 Resurgence Task Force are PNC CEO Bill Demchak, University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Patrick Gallagher, Gateway Health CEO Cain Hayes, UPMC Health Plan CEO Diane Holder; Highmark Health CEO David Holmberg, PPG CEO Michael McGarry, Highmark Health Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Dan Onorato, Hillman Family Foundations President David Roger and UPMC CEO Jeffrey Romoff. The movement has also been endorsed by some local celebrities and everyday Pittsburghers.

“Vaccines are on the way, but they won’t be widely available for some time. Until then, each of us can take Pittsburgh pride in doing the smart things to protect ourselves and everybody we know and love,” said Sally Wiggin, broadcast news veteran and former WTAE-TV anchor. “Pittsburgh, we’ve got this, and before too long we’ll have another reason to celebrate.”

Proud to Protect Pittsburgh is making a social media push through Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, using the hashtag #ProudtoProtectPittsburgh. Its website is proudtoprotectpittsburgh.com.

The campaign was funded by Allegheny Conference members and members of the local philanthropic community, including Argo AI, Covestro, Duquesne Light, Gateway Health Plan, Giant Eagle, Henry L. Hillman Foundation, Highmark Health, MSA, Pitt Ohio, PPG, The Heinz Endowments, PNC Financial Services Group, University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Health Plan.