Mayor: City is responding to coronavirus pandemic
Leadership at the City recognizes our community is facing a period of uncertainty, anxiety, and stress for many citizens as we take on the challenges of the health pandemic. Our staff are communicating with and utilizing resources of a number of government agencies including Federal, State and County Health Departments.
Our health experts inform us that the COVID-19 virus is a substantial threat. We currently have no vaccinations or drug therapies to fight this respiratory illness. Thank goodness that the majority of the infected recover after experiencing flu like symptoms, however, the elderly and others with underlying health issues are at a higher risk for serious health challenges.
Our Lake City population is approximately 5130. Citizens over the age of 64 makeup 28.4 percent of the population according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This amounts to 1457 individuals. We also have 6.2 percent of our population or 318 citizens with disabilities that typically have underlying health issues. These statistics make the case that a substantial segment of our community population is in the higher risk category requiring the community to take containment, mitigation, and “social distancing” seriously. Please explain this to the younger folks as many are questioning the severity of this pandemic. Virus skeptics will contribute to the spread. Experts are advising to act as if you have the virus in your personal interactions. I know this community and I know we will be successful in keeping our infections low.
Here are a few action items I will be proposing to the Council for implementation:
Communication:
• We will implement a “go-to” media page with local virus news
Emergency Declaration:
• Expect an Emergency Declaration allowing City quick decision-making power and funding access
Vulnerable Citizens:
• We will develop a task force to discuss and provide services if needed to this group
Lake City Food Shelf:
• We will collaborate and support this organization
City Staff (Staff is working hard on this):
• We will manage for consistency in providing essential services and understand the risk to first responders.
What can you do to help? Please focus on yourself, your family, and stay healthy. Implement best practices as recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health. Please check on your vulnerable neighbors. If you have extra supplies, give them to an organization that can utilize them. Be cognizant that this health challenge is a dynamic fluid situation and we must understand that we don’t know what the final outcome will be. I do know that I would rather overreact during planning than realizing after the fact that we underreacted.
We will get through this and in the near future we will be able to stare out over our beautiful lake and give thanks for being citizens of this wonderful community.
Please feel free to reach out to me with questions or concerns.