The Mayor's Corner

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a public health emergency that we should all take seriously. As of the time I am writing this article, there are 770,600+ total cases and 36,800+ global deaths related to this disease. In Louisiana (as of 3/30/20), there are 4,025 reported cases and 185 reported deaths. In the coming days and weeks ahead, numbers will continue to increase in Louisiana, across the nation and world. Even though none of us have seen anything like this during our lifetime, God has blessed us with experts to help guide us through the process of doing what it takes to help end this global pandemic. What we personally do or don’t do will have a profound effect on our efforts of flattening the curve, or reducing the spread, of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Governor John Bel Edwards has extended his “Stay at Home” order encouraging social distancing until at least April 30. Yes, this is a disruption to your social life. However, I would rather you be upset about delays and cancellations on your social calendar than to be upset about the death of a family member, church member, teammate, friend or neighbor. Social distancing is a phrase you’ve probably heard one thousand times over the course of the past few weeks. It simply means to keep your distance from others – so that you don’t risk getting sick or getting someone else sick by encountering someone who has the disease. Do not gather at the park or even your front yard to play basketball, soccer, or hangout. If you must leave the house to go to work, the grocery store, pharmacy, doctors’ office or etc. please keep at least six feet of distance between yourself and others.

Please follow the CDC recommended preventive measures. Wash your hands with soap, thoroughly and for at least 20 seconds, multiple times per day. If you don’t have tissue or a handkerchief, use your elbow when you cough or sneeze. Avoid people who are sick. If you are sick, stay at home. If you have a temperature of 100.4 or higher, consult your primary care physician.

You can call 211 for important information about updates from the Louisiana Department of Health, to inquire about Disaster SNAP benefits and more. You can visit our City of Monroe website http://www.monroe.la.us and click on our COVID-19 page for updates about city services and connections to valuable information and resources that can help you or your business.

By working together, we are making a difference. Monroe is one city, with one future!