Local governments “are where the rubber meets the road” in fighting the virus, while also providing services to citizens in need, and they are hurting, the Mayor told MSNBC host Alex Witt.
A survey of cities released last week showed that because of this pandemic nearly every American city is seeing a precipitous drop in revenue. And without federal support, many will be forced to lay off employees and make cuts that will hurt public safety.
In Louisville, Mayor Fischer announced on Friday that 380 Metro Government employees are being furloughed due in part to the financial impact of COVID-19.
The Mayor, who becomes president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in June, stressed his message on social media today, stating, “At this time when critical services are most essential, I, along with my fellow @usmayors, are calling on Congress and the Administration to make federal support available to local and state governments.”
Telethon totals
The city and its partners set up the fund to aid Louisville residents and organizations that have been impacted by the economic fallout from the pandemic.
The telethon total represents 165 individual gifts, “which is a tremendous show of the compassionate spirit of our city,” Mayor Fischer said, adding that through the One Louisville: COVID-19 Response Fund, “we’ve been able to help nearly 100 nonprofit groups that are helping our city’s residents through this crisis, in addition to hundreds of individual families.”
Mayor Fischer again thanked WAVE-3 TV for partnering to host the event.
To donate to the One Louisville: COVID-19 Response Fund, go to www.GiveOneLouisville.com.
Face coverings
Walmart is also encouraging customers/members to wear face coverings as well when they shop at their stores. More info: https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2020/04/17/our-next-step-to-protect-you-our-customers-and-our-members
Daily COVID-19 data
Gender/Age data for today’s deaths:
- Male/64
- Female/76
