COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day Resolution
Adopted at the in 2021
WHEREAS, COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) is an illness caused by a virus that can transmit from person to person and has spread across the world, creating a global pandemic that is having catastrophic effects on human life, our community, and our economy; and
WHEREAS, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, observance of public health orders to social distance and stay at home have created challenges for small businesses, workers, and schools which are working to comply with limited resources; and
WHEREAS, school districts, teachers, students, and parents are grappling with the challenges of distance learning and working to prevent any potential learning loss due to not being in-person; and
WHEREAS, local and state governments, health departments, and public servants have taken bold actions to protect residents, support struggling local economies, and find innovative ways to provide services; and
WHEREAS, in response to rapid spread of COVID-19 and stay-at-home orders, essential workers have stepped up to provide critical services to help protect our communities and save lives, sacrificing their own health and safety; and
WHEREAS, 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; and
WHEREAS, the symptoms and severity of COVID-19 can vary dramatically by individual and the long-term health implications for survivors is largely unknown, as many survivors suffer with lingering side-effects of the disease long after they no longer test positive; and
WHEREAS, more than number at time of adoption people worldwide and number at time of adoption in the United States have lost their lives due to COVID-19, and, in jurisdiction, city and state alone, more than number at time of adoption lives have been lost to this deadly virus; and
WHEREAS, each life lost to COVID-19 mattered and leaves a hole in the hearts of loved ones, family members, and the surrounding community; and
WHEREAS, public health guidance and policies targeted at prevention, such as social distancing, wearing masks in public, and staying home help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, prevent illness, and lessen the burden on individuals and society,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors supports the designation of the first Monday in March as "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 virus; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors urges cities to individually designate the first Monday in March as "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 virus and to commemorate them in an appropriate manner each year on that day; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors urges cities to continue taking preventative measures such as social distancing and following public health orders to mitigate the spread of this virus, in tribute to essential workers and those who rose in service to protect the public.