Mayor Neeley declares first Monday in March ‘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 is forever changed. We have lost far too many friends and loved ones to this deadly virus. The availability of the vaccine and boosters has allowed for a proactive response that continues to slow the spread of the coronavirus. We will never forget the lives lost, the people who have suffered because of the pandemic,” Mayor Sheldon Neeley said. 

This proclamation 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 the first Monday in March 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

• Worked with local health departments and officials to offer mobile vaccination and testing clinics

• Created enhanced safety protocols at City Hall to ensure the safety of residents and employees

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

[pdf-embedder url=”https://cityofflint.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Proclamation.pdf” title=”COVID-19 Proclamation”]