Be sure to not miss the next learning and coaching session of Coronavirus Local Response Initiative, at 1 p.m. ET, Thursday, April 16.

To join, contact coronavirusresponse@bloomberg.org

Redeploying non-essential teams to provide critical services

For local governments, the Covid-19 outbreak is an all-hands-on-deck moment. And as cities are forced to close libraries, recreation centers, schools, and other facilities, they’re finding inventive ways to redeploy city staff in order to meet emerging and evolving needs related to the pandemic. Here’s how they’re doing just that in Rochester, Minn. (pictured); Burlington, Vt., Portland, Ore., and beyond.

Data tracker

John Hopkins' reported U.S. Covid-19 cases as of 8 a.m. EST on April 14.

582,594 total cases, up 25,004 from April 13.
23,649 total deaths, up 1,540 from April 13.

Find more up-to-date case counts and other critical information from the John Hopkins University's situation report and interactive map.

Professors from Harvard and Johns Hopkins universities are, on an ongoing basis, answering mayors’ questions about the virus and the crisis. Find the full list of questions and answers here.

Q: What are the best ways to do contact tracing? Is there an app or tech platform that can do this more effectively?

A great resource on contact tracing is this new report from Johns Hopkins and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers. Multiple technology platforms are emerging, but technology should be seen as an enabler of a smart, well-explained, coordinated, contact tracing strategy—not as a solution unto itself.

Moreover, an effective public health response requires people to be able to explain quarantine and link people to resources that make quarantine possible. Scaling up human resources will be necessary. The report cited above has a section on technology as a force multiplier for contact tracing, as well as cautions about appropriate safeguards.

LATEST CITY ACTIONS

A roundup of responses to the coronavirus crisis. See the
Covid-19: Local Action Tracker for more.

ECONOMIC CHALLENGES

The National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors release a survey of more than 2,400 local officials that found 88 percent of them “anticipate the pandemic will lead to painful reductions in revenue this year” that will likely result in cuts to services, worker furloughs and layoffs. The outlook is “particularly acute” for cities, towns and villages with fewer than 500,000 residents.
Jersey City, N.J., starts relief fund for families in need and seniors to gain access to food and other necessities, while also providing relief to non-profits and local businesses.

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Atlanta’s transit authority announces measures to protect workers and provide a one-time $500 "hero payment" to frontline employees.
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer orders flags at city buildings to fly half-staff in honor of those lost to Covid-19.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenny writes House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asking that the federal government provide direct and flexible funding to local governments.

CANCELLATIONS, CLOSINGS & SOCIAL DISTANCING

Mobile, Ala., Mayor Sandy Stimpson calls on big-box stores to close all but grocery and pharmacy aisles to ensure social distancing compliance.
Austin, Texas, and Jacksonville, Fla., extend their stay-at-home and emergency orders into May, while Kansas City, Mo., considers doing the same.
Sioux Falls, S.D., Mayor Paul TenHaken calls for governor to issue a stay-at-home order in in the counties surrounding his city.
Honolulu allows fabric stores to reopen so residents can make masks.

COMMUNICATIONS

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg holds a virtual town hall to answer questions from children.
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser announces new hotline for homebound residents who need assistance obtaining food or essential supplies.

VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

Las Vegas opens up a tent complex to provide shelter, monitoring, and treatment for residents experiencing homelessness with Covid-19.
Chicago deploys nurses to homeless shelters to provide in-person education and screenings to residents.
Pensacola, Fla., Mayor Grover Robinson joins other local leaders in calling for the state to release a list of nursing homes and long-term care facilities with Covid-19 cases.

TESTING & MEDICAL

Memphis, Tenn., will construct a second overflow hospital at a former office building.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announces testing will be available to all residents, regardless if they are showing symptoms.

Daily inspiration: Making masks with AIDS Quilt scraps

Gert McMullin has made hundreds of the 48,000-plus panels that make up the AIDS Memorial Quilt, which is a memorial to the lives of people who have died of HIV/AIDS. And now McMullin, who is custodian of the 1.3-milllion-square-foot Quilt, is using its leftover fabric to make coronavirus masks. “I started trying to figure out what I could do that could help me, the way the Quilt had helped me through,” McMullin told People magazine. “So I decided to start sewing masks. Her masks are being used at facilities run by Bay America Community Services, which works with the homeless and people suffering from addiction.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES

Find more Covid-19 resources for city leaders here. Please suggest new resources to include here.

EVENTS

NEW NACTO will host a conversation on the role city streets can play in maintaining health during a time of social distancing, tomorrow, April 15, at 2 p.m. ET. Register here.
Public Private Strategies is hosting a webinar to discuss how city government, community leaders, philanthropy, and local companies can protect vulnerable populations impacted by Covid-19, tomorrow, April 15, at 10 a.m. ET. Register here.
Independent Sector is hosting a webinar for nonprofit organizations considering setting up a financial hardship assistance program tomorrow, April 15, at 2 p.m. ET. Register here.

GIFTS & GRANTS

GLG is offering pro bono access to its expert platform for non-profits, foundations, and social enterprises on the frontlines of Covid-19 response.
Airbnb is waiving fees on 100,000 stays for Covid-19 responders.
GrantWatch is a search engine connecting non-profits and small businesses to grant opportunities.
U.S. Digital Response is matching data and digital service volunteers with local and state governments to assist with rapid response Covid-19 projects.
Inc. has curated a list of tools, resources, and financial help for businesses.
Small businesses can apply for SBA loans to keep workers on payroll.
No Kid Hungry is providing grants to schools and nonprofits offering meals for children.
Financial assistance for bar employees.
One Fair Wage is providing cash assistance to tipped and service workers through a new support fund.
Music blog compiles list of emergency funding and resources for artists.

OTHER RESOURCES

NEW Mental health resource and information guide (NAMI)
Analysis of when cities will feel worst of Covid-19 impact (Brookings)
Weekly insights into frequently asked questions about Covid-19 (Weekly Science Review)
Pandemic Response Repository (New America)
Transportation Response Center
Crisis Communications Guide (The Communications Network)
FBI recommendations on securing Zoom teleconferencing lines.
5 types of local relief funds for small business and nonprofits.
What mayors need to know (US Conference of Mayors)
Resources for local leaders (National League of Cities)
Local government resource bank (What Works Cities)
Resources for local governments (ICMA)

CDC'S LATEST GUIDANCE FOR:

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