COVID-19 Resources for Mayors

We are bringing you this special update with resources for mayors on how to address COVID-19 in their communities, as well as how to make sure the 2020 Census achieves an accurate count.

COVID-19 Impacts on the 2020 Census: Updates and Guidance​

As cities across the country face issues related to COVID-19, mayors need to prepare for impacts to democratic processes, including the upcoming 2020 Census. We invite you to join a call tomorrow, Friday March 13th, at 1 pm ET, led by the Census Counts Campaign and the Funders Census Initiative, to discuss operational shifts and resources available to cities.

Terri Ann Lowenthal, a leading national Census consultant who presented at our Winter 2020 Policy Meeting, will provide an operational update around COVID-19. You can expect the call to provide additional information about critical evolving issues, including Census outreach, digital organizing campaign best practices, and how to count college and university students given the current crisis. ​

Best Resources for Mayors on COVID-19

Coronavirus Response Resources for Local Leaders
National League of Cities

COVID-19: What Mayors Need to Know
US Conference of Mayors

Tracking the Impact of Coronavirus on US Cities
SmartCitiesDive

Coronavirus Local Response Initiative
The COVID-19 Local Leaders Initiative, a partnership between the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, will provide cities with information and technical assistance.

Big Cities Health Coalition
This is a forum for the largest metropolitan health departments. Sign-up for emails and follow on Twitter.

What Else Can Cities Do?

  • Seattle is expanding shelter capacity for neighbors experiencing homelessness.
  • Many cities, like Detroit and Atlanta, have placed a moratorium on water shutoffs in the case of unpaid water bills.
  • San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston introduced legislation Tuesday to prevent eviction of “tenants who cannot pay rent if they lose income as a result of their compliance with recommendations of the Department of Public Health.”
  • Seattle is also launching an initial recovery package for small businesses to provide immediate relief for establishments impacted by COVID-19.