Tracking the impact of coronavirus in US Cities

This article first appeared on Smart Cities Dive‘s website. MMC engages in content partnerships with several organizations, and cross-posting does not indicate an endorsement or agreement.

By Kristin Musulin and Cailin Crowe |  8 January 2021

• The Mayors Migration Council has launched a $1 million Global Cities Fund for Inclusive Pandemic Response to support the needs of cities as they support internally displaced people and refugees during the pandemic. (Mayors Migration Council)

• The City of Pensacola, FL has halted the issuance of permits for events at outdoor city venues, effective immediately, due to a rising number of COVID-19 cases. The restrictions will remain in effect through at least Feb. 28. (ABC 3)

• More than 900 workers of Los Angeles County’s large retailers, including Costco, Target and Amazon, have tested positive for the coronavirus. Fast food restaurants like Chick-Fil-A and In-N-Out have also reported more than 150 cases as coronavirus cases surge locally. (Business Insider)

• El Paso, TX announced it will resume curbside recycling pickup this month following a weeks-long service hiatus amid coronavirus-related driver absences. Meanwhile, Baltimore and Philadelphia have both postponed the implementation of plastic bag ordinances due to health and economic impacts of the pandemic. (Waste Dive)

• New Haven, CT saw a dramatic increase in violent crime in 2020, with 20 people killed and 121 people shot — an increase of over 50% compared to 2019. The city’s police chief pointed to the pandemic’s impact on services. (Hartford Courant)