A Message from Mayor Stimpson - November 9
Nov 9th, 2020
Good evening,
It is 7:30 p.m. on Monday Nov. 9, and I am writing to give you an update from the City of Mobile.
Today, the Mobile County Health Department reports 17,913 COVID-19 cases, an increase of 25 cases. To review the detailed report, click here.
Our efforts to clean up debris from hurricanes Sally and Zeta are progressing, and we are continuing to request that residents only put out new debris or trash on their regularly scheduled trash pick-up day. Also, for those who are able, hauling bagged leafy materials to the drop-off sites we have established at Langan Municipal Park and the James Seals Community Center is a huge help.
This past Saturday I was taking some bagged debris from my own yard when I noticed the crowd gathered for the Southside Doubles Disc Golf Tournament at Langan Park. The tournament, which is a Professional Disc Golf Association sanctioned event, brought more than a hundred skilled competitors to Mobile. It was a truly impressive sight to see in person.
Over the past few years, as frisbee golf tournaments have become a big draw for Mobile, we've added courses at two additional city parks. It was great to see these facilities being utilized at such a high level over the weekend, and I look forward to seeing Mobile's disc golf community continue to grow.
Speaking of people getting out, my office received some data today that indicates an increase in activity in Downtown Mobile. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we've seen a reduction in those visiting restaurants, bars and other venues but those numbers do seem to be picking back up as businesses adapt to safety guidelines from state and federal public health officials. Just last week, Gov. Kay Ivey's amended "Safer at Home" order removed capacity limitations that had been in place for many businesses, provided their customers can be separated by an "impermeable" barrier and wear face coverings.
While the increase in patronage is welcomed news for businesses that have been greatly impacted over the last several months, it's still very important that we remain guarded against COVID-19. Nationally, we've seen a recent uptick in new cases, but I believe the discipline Mobillians are showing by wearing masks, practicing good hygiene and social distancing will help us and our local businesses going forward.
In the devotional I read this morning, author Sarah Young discusses Moses' comments about keeping strength through Faith in Deuteronomy 31:6 - "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Young notes that some fears surface in our thoughts over and over again, especially fears of the future.
"You tend to project yourself mentally into a future time, and you visualize yourself coping badly," she writes. "When a future-oriented worry assails you, capture it and disarm it by suffusing the Light of [God's] Presence into that mental image."
This evening, I hope you'll remember that no matter what the future holds, we do not face it alone.
Sleep tight!