LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said Thursday that he was heartened by news that Congress and the White House appear to be moving forward on a bipartisan aid package that will bring much-needed help to Louisville and other cities challenged by the COVID-19 outbreak.
“I am pleased that, with the Senate bill, Washington appears to have come to an agreement to provide $2 trillion of federal assistance, including billions of dollars to communities,” Fischer said. “This funding is primarily directed to address costs associated with the COVID-19 outbreak, including emergency response, public health and public safety costs.”
Fischer advocated for many of these investments in conversations with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Sen. Rand Paul and Congressman John Yarmuth, and through his work with the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
“It is a solid start. I urge Congress and President Trump to quickly approve this bill,” the mayor said. “Going forward, cities must have additional direct funding to address the dramatic long-term economic impact this pandemic will have on our city services, and I will continue to work with our federal partners to advocate for that critical funding.”
Police to provide more security at city hospitals
To ensure the safety of patients and healthcare professionals, officers from the Louisville Metro Police Department and other local police agencies are being stationed at the city’s hospitals starting today.
Earlier this week, Gov. Andrew Beshear asked law enforcement and the National Guard in the state to have a presence at hospitals across the state, in preparation for them to get busier in coming days.
“We need our hospitals up and running, and to be safe and organized so that our health care professionals can do their jobs,” Mayor Fischer said. “The job of our officers there will be the same as their jobs at any gathering point or other potentially high-traffic facility – to help make sure everybody’s safe and that they get where they need.”
Warehouse space needed for donated food
The mayor lauded the Dare to Care Food Bank for its support of the community during this challenging time, but noted that it has created a need for extra warehouse space.
Dare to Care needs 20,000- to 30,000-square feet of warehouse space in the Fern Valley Road area, as soon as possible, Fischer said.
“They’ve stepped up for our city. And now we have to step up and help them – in a very specific way,” the mayor said. “Because of the increased demand for food, they’ve more than maxed out their available space.”
Warehouse operators with space to spare in that area are asked to contact Stan Siegwald at Dare to Care via email at [email protected].
“Obviously, not everybody has a warehouse they could donate,” Mayor Fischer said. “But if you or someone you know does, I’m asking you to step up. For Dare to Care. For our city.”
Facebook town hall on Thursday with Congressman Yarmuth
Congressman John Yarmuth will join the Mayor on Thursday to answer questions from the community via an online town hall on Facebook Live.
The town hall will begin at 10 a.m. Go to Facebook.com/MayorGregFischer to participate.
New sites for senior meal distribution
The Mayor voiced his appreciation to the Metro Department of Resilience and Community Services for swinging into action and swiftly setting up seven food distribution sites around the city to provide frozen meals to seniors who are staying in their homes and practicing social distancing.
More than 26,000 meals were distributed during the first week of Louisville Metro March for Meals, the meals pickup program for seniors 60 years or older. Nearly 5,300 seniors received a meal pack containing five frozen meals at one of the pickup locations.
“We have an outstanding team at Resilience and Community Services,” Mayor Fischer said. “Like I keep saying, this is what a compassionate city does in a crisis – we step up and we take care of each other.”
Due to tremendous response, some distribution sites have changed to better accommodate traffic flow and ensure recipients can remain in their vehicles. Thursday pickup sites have now been updated with two options: Southern High School or the Newburg Community Center.
Here are all the sites, including the new Thursday locations:
- Mondays – St. Stephen Church (1018 S. 15th St., 40210)
- Tuesdays – Beechmont Community Center (205 Wellington Ave., 40214)
- Wednesdays – Sun Valley Community Center (6505 Bethany Lane, 40272) or East Government Center (200 Juneau Drive, 40243)
- Thursdays – Southern High School (8620 Preston Highway, 40219) or Newburg Community Center (4810 Exeter Ave., 40218)
- Fridays – Former Kroger site in Old Louisville (924 S. Second St., 40203)
How to report establishments that won’t comply with COVID-19 shutdown
The Mayor continued to stress the need for Louisvillians to stay at home and practice strict social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Although essential businesses are staying open, such as groceries, pharmacies, and restaurants that provide takeout meals, some businesses have been defying the order to close or curtail their activities.
Residents who see establishments that refuse to comply can report violators in several ways:
State of Kentucky – 1-833-KY-SAFER / 1-833-597-2337 (tollfree)
City of Louisville – Metro311
- Email: [email protected]
- Twitter: @LouMetro311
- On the web: louisvilleky.gov/tell311
- App: Louisville Metro 311 on Android or iOS
- Phone: 311
Due to an increased volume of phone calls, city officials are asking residents to contact Metro311 via the web if possible. Your complaints will still be addressed, and your questions will be answered.
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