A Message from Mayor Stimpson - April 20
Apr 20th, 2020
Good evening,
It is 9 p.m. on Monday, April 20, and I am writing to give you an update on the City of Mobile’s efforts regarding COVID-19.
As of tonight, there are 673 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mobile County, and 33 deaths attributed to the virus. Please note that the total number of cases continues to rise, evidence that the disease is still spreading in Mobile.
Today is an important milestone because it’s been one month since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported in our community. It’s amazing to consider how much has changed in the past 30 days, both in terms of how far we’ve come and in how much still remains ahead of us.
It was also 10 years ago tonight, at 9:50 p.m. on April 20, 2010, that BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig had a blowout in the Gulf of Mexico. I don’t have to remind you of the challenges we faced as the disaster played out over the following weeks and months. The oil spill traumatized our region, and the recovery is still ongoing for many.
We survived that catastrophe just like we have endured hurricanes, wars and devastating pandemics throughout Mobile’s history - and we will make it through COVID-19. But we want to do more than just survive this threat.
We learned lessons from the BP oil spill that made us more resilient as a community. The experience was painful but we are stronger because of it. Today, it’s important not only that we defeat COVID-19, but that we emerge from this challenge stronger and smarter than we were before.
One great example of this is the response by the Mobile County Public School System. What Superintendent Chresal Threadgill has accomplished in the past few weeks is nothing short of superhuman.
I sat down with Chresal to get an update on the progress he’s made. You can view part of our conversation by clicking here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiHSs9sqisE
Looking ahead, we are working closely with Gov. Kay Ivey’s administration as she develops her plan to re-open businesses across the state. The first step is for the state to lift the “stay home” order for non-essential businesses, followed by the Mobile County Health Department lifting its order regarding restaurants and bars.
We are all eager to begin the process of returning to normal, but we must do so in a way that keeps us safe - particularly our most vulnerable citizens.
A few more updates from today:
- The data from our testing does indicate that we are successfully flattening the curve and the number of new cases is beginning to decline. It’s too early to declare victory, but hopefully we have reached the peak and the trend will continue in the right direction.
- Our hospitals have plenty of available beds and ventilators, which should give confidence to all of us. We remain concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in our nursing homes, and we are doing all we can to support them with test kits, protective gear and other resources.
- I joined the mayors of the 10 largest cities in Alabama on a conference call with Sen. Doug Jones to talk about the COVID-19 relief bill now pending before Congress. It’s important that cities get their fair share of federal resources, because cities are bearing the biggest burden of leading the response.
As we recognize this anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon, remember that 30 days after it occurred, there were still so many unknowns and so much confusion and fear. We didn’t surrender. We rolled up our sleeves, joined hands and made it through that terrible time.
We learned that recovery doesn’t come easy and it doesn’t come quick - but it will come if we keep working at it.
In closing, I am encouraged that we continue to get a little stronger and smarter each day. The threat is still very real, but there’s no question we are safer tonight than we were one month ago. That’s progress.
This week will be pivotal in the direction forward for our city, state and nation. Please continue to pray for our leaders as they chart the path toward recovery. God has delivered us from deadly peril before, and will deliver us again.
Sincerely,
Sandy