Mayor's Office

Mayor Neeley declares March 1 ‘COVID-19 Memorial Day’

FLINT, Michigan — Mayor Sheldon Neeley today along with the United States Conference of Mayors declared the first Monday in March “COVID-19 Memorial Day,” in remembrance of those who have lost their lives and in honor of those who continue to suffer from the impact of this deadly virus.

“Our world changed a year ago. We have lost far too many friends and loved ones to this deadly virus. With the vaccine becoming more available and continued proactive response, we hope to begin slowing the spread of coronavirus, but we will never forget the lives lost and the people who have suffered because of the pandemic,” Mayor Sheldon Neeley said. 

This resolution notes that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on low-income communities and communities of color, exacerbating inequities already prevalent in our systems that we must address as a nation. The City of Flint is one of at least 146 cities to declare March 1 COVID-19 Memorial Day.

The City of Flint continues to respond proactively to the threat of COVID-19 to our community, our state and our country. The City of Flint’s response to COVID-19 includes being 

• Only local city to appoint a medical adviser on coronavirus

• 2nd city in state to declare a state of emergency

• Declared a state of emergency 8 days before first confirmed positive cases in Genesee County

• Launched water reconnection program 16 days before state ordered action

• 1st city in Michigan to institute a curfew

Through this work, the City of Flint has successfully closed the racial disparities gap that initially impacted the community. 

COVID-19 was initially reported to the WHO on December 31, 2019. On January 30, 2020, the WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global health emergency. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, its first such designation since declaring H1N1 influenza a pandemic in 2009.

On March 10, 2020, the state of Michigan confirmed its first two COVID-19 cases. On March 12, the City of Flint declared a state of emergency. On March 20, 2020, Genesee County confirmed its first four COVID-19 cases.