By Ruth Ferguson, NDG Editor
The City of Dallas, Dallas County, and surrounding cities, have declared a State of Emergency due to the novel coronavirus or COVID19. Mayor Eric Johnson and Dallas County Commissioner, along with other community leaders, have held press conferences to explain the general guidelines such as the ban on events, including more than 500 attendees.
In less than a week, Americans have gone from being only mildly concerned about this virus to it impacting almost everyone. Numerous restaurant brands, grocery stores are emailing customers to reassure them they are taking precautions regarding cleaning their facilities.
Meantime, via Facebook Friday night Dallas City Councilman Adam Bazaldua offered interesting proposals aimed at helping working families. In Italy, a country virtually shut down; they are considering a mortarium on mortgage payments, for example.
Bazaldua’s proposals could bring relief to residents who suddenly find themselves quarantined or their job on hold. His ideas include the following.
- Propose a ban on evictions for the next 60 days or the end of the state of emergency, whichever comes last
- Encourage banks to take similar action with mortgage payments as well.
- Ban companies from shutting off gas and electricity during the State of Emergency just as the City of Dallas has committed to do with all water accounts.
- Add additional drive-up fever clinics for free, point-of-care #Coronavirus testing to accommodate ALL residents, regardless of symptoms
- Provide innovative solutions to groceries and food need to be delivered to our more vulnerable, aging population through partnerships. For example, Disneyland, which is closed as of today, is donating its food to local food banks. Perhaps this is something local caters and venues facing canceled events can consider.
As Bazaldua points out, “We’ve got to assess this situation quickly and critically, limiting the loss of lives, livelihood, and economy.”
The Dallas City Council’s upcoming meeting on Wednesday is likely to be held virtually at the Mayor’s request. Bazaldua’s proposals generally impact private industry and are not anything the city government can impose. Perhaps they may work with the local business and community leaders to form a partnership such as the one outlined by President Donald Trump with Walgreens, CVS, Target, and others during the March 14 press conference.
