(Philadelphia - May 5, 2020)- Six Philadelphia Housing Authority sites that serve as meal distribution centers in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus are getting new beautifully-designed signs and decals to help promote social distancing, hand washing, and use of masks.

This spring, Mural Arts Philadelphia created an innovative program throughout Philadelphia to ensure that folks coming to get life-sustaining meals can do so in a safe manner, using visually appealing and eye-catching vinyl ground decals called "Space Pads."

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has provided funding to bring the Space Pads to meal distribution sites at six PHA locations, along with posters and other materials as part of a campaign to bring beauty and public health messaging together.

"Social distancing is critical to the health of all people during this health emergency. It is especially important to exercise precautionary measures, including social distancing, to limit the spread of this virus. We're most grateful to Mural Arts and PDPH for including some of PHA's larger developments in this program," said PHA President and CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah.

"Art is a critical lifeline and a powerful tool as we collectively renavigate public space together," said Jane Golden, Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia. "We are grateful for the partnership of the Department of Public Health and the Philadelphia Housing Authority, and we are thrilled to utilize these Space Pads to help make food distribution sites safe while keeping the talented artists who design them employed."

Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said, "The best thing that Philadelphians can do to help beat COVID-19 is to stay apart. We recognize that most people are not used to standing so far away from each other, so anything that we can do to help remind folks to keep to keep their distance is welcomed."

Mural Arts is installing 20 pads at each site; 10 inside and 10 outside at six community centers including Abbottsford Homes, Bartram Village, John F. Street Center, Raymond Rosen, Westpark Apartments, and Wilson Park.

The arts organization has targeted high foot traffic locations in North, West/Southwest, and South Philadelphia that serve predominantly African American, Latinx, and/or immigrant customers/clients for this signage project. Funding from PDPH will allow installation at approximately 80 more locations.