A Message from Mayor Stimpson - March 31
Mar 31st, 2020
Good evening,
It is 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, and I am writing to give you an update on the City of Mobile’s efforts regarding COVID-19.
As of tonight, there are 52 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mobile County, and one death attributed to the virus.
The City this week began testing our first responders - police, fire and emergency medical technicians. We completed 131 tests on Monday, using serum kits donated to us by Synergy Labs.
These rapid tests identified four employees as having COVID-19 antibodies. None of them were showing symptoms of illness, but they are being quarantined at home so that additional tests can be completed to determine if they are positive for COVID-19.
Why are we doing this? First of all, because it’s important we take care of those who must take care of us. Secondly, the data we collect is helping us get a clearer picture of the pandemic’s spread in our community.
We have seen enough to conclude that the City must take more aggressive action to enforce social distancing. So, today we drafted an executive order to limit overcrowding in “big box” stores.
This order, which would go into effect at 7 a.m. Thursday, is designed to keep essential retailers functioning while protecting you and store employees from transmitting the virus.
The order has been submitted to the City Council for their attorney to review, and will be posted on the City’s web site as soon as it is returned to us. The decision to increase enforcement of social distancing is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Remember that the most effective response to a pandemic like Coronavirus does not come from government, but from personal responsibility.
You can do your part by following the mitigation guidelines:
- Wash your hands
- Social distancing
- Stay home if possible
Those of us who have lived through hurricanes know that catastrophes can bring out the best and the worst in people.
We are seeing and hearing about amazing acts of kindness and generosity across Mobile. Regretfully, we are also aware of several scams in which fraudsters are attempting to take advantage of citizens during this crisis.
In one scheme, fraudsters are calling people telling them they can expedite payment of their stimulus money for a fee. Please remember that the government will not call to ask you for your personal identity or banking information.
In a second scheme, fraudsters are calling to sell “vaccine” products that supposedly will keep you from getting sick with COVID-19. Don’t buy it. Always consult with your doctor before purchasing any new medicine.
Today I was reminded that we are living through a very serious and significant historical moment. So often we think of history as something that happens to somebody else, in some other time, in some other place.
Meg Fowler, Director of the History Museum of Mobile, shared some insight with us today that we found to be particularly inspiring. She talked about Mobile’s history of dealing with devastating pandemics like Yellow Fever and the flu.
“History tells us that we are not the first Mobilians to confront epic disease,” Meg said. “There are many who have walked this path before us. But we are also the best equipped in history to deal with it. Our medical technologies couldn’t have been imagined 100 years ago.”
Now, more than ever, we can all be grateful to be living in Mobile in the 21st Century. Our ancestors persevered through tremendous challenges and together we will overcome this one.
Sincerely,
Sandy Stimpson