Title
Authorizing the City Council Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings evaluating lessons learned from the City's COVID-19 pandemic response.
Body
WHEREAS, COVID-19, a new strain of Coronavirus, developed in December of 2019. Since then, it has spread across the globe and was declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Philadelphia saw its first confirmed case in early March and reported its first death from the virus on March 25, 2020; and
WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic has required a comprehensive and unprecedented response from all areas of the government and the effects of this pandemic will continue to be felt long after the pandemic subsides; and
WHEREAS, The pandemic had an immediate effect on small businesses throughout the City. This Council appreciates the importance of small businesses in our communities and shall examine the effectiveness of aid they received, and what additional aid they will require in the immediate future, as well as safeguards for the future; and
WHEREAS, Criminal justice departments and agencies including the Philadelphia Police Department, Department of Prisons, District Attorney's Office, Defender Association and First Judicial District faced particular challenges during the pandemic. These departments and agencies are integral to the function and safety of Philadelphia. It is important to reflect on their response to this pandemic, and put necessary safeguards into place for the future; and
WHEREAS, The nature of COVID-19 posed a significantly heightened threat to our elderly populations and those who are immunocompromised. As such, senior care facilities were presented with the distinct challenge of ensuring the safety of their residents. It is important to hear from residents and employees of these facilities to understand their needs and plan for the future; and
WHEREAS, In order to slow the spread of the virus, the Philadelphia School District closed its doors and began remote learning programs, w...
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