City of Des Moines, Iowa COVID-19 Response in Des Moines, 5 May 2020

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From YouTube: City Commits $3.3 Million in Emergency Federal Funds to At-Risk Residents & Small Businesses

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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie and City Council have committed $3.3 million in emergency federal funds to support at-risk residents and small businesses in Des Moines. Learn more: https://DSM.city/covid19

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https://amara.org/v/C0yOD/

A

We all need to be very, very careful.. This is a challenge like one we've.

B

Never seen before. it's kind of surreal how everything just.

C

Came to almost a stop., it's been nothing like any of us have.

D

Ever experienced., it's a very challenging time.

E

This is something of a magnitude that.

F

Our country hasn't experienced.

G

Watching this unfold has been heartbreaking and heartwarming..

G

It's a terrible thing. That's happening in our world and in our community right now,.

G

But it's heartwarming to see all of our residents.

G

Out there doing things to help each other.

G

And still keep their have their social distancing.

B

With the impact of covid-19 we've seen tremendous change in in the community.

B

And a lot of folks are out of work.

B

And there's a tremendous need for assistance.

B

And direct help., the city of des moines and our city council.

A

And all of our staff has thought about all of our citizens, because that's who.

A

We're here to serve.: how is it that we can help them and support them?.

A

Everybody needs to have a paycheck coming in.

A

And make sure that they can keep a roof over their heads and take care of their.

A

Utilities and their insurance and put food on the table.

A

And we need to do that., there's plenty of people in des moines that.

F

We need to make sure they're doing fine or doing as best they can. Whether that's.

F

Paying the rent putting food on the table.

F

Just having a job to go to our first focus was always first of all, make sure.

C

Our citizens were safe and that also, what can we do to help.

C

Mitigate this being shut down and still providing services and still.

C

Looking at how we're going to be able to deliver what we have committed to deliver, it's a great way to use some federal funds that we've.

D

Got I think, it's an appropriate way to be.

D

Able to help some of the small businesses that have been affected by.

D

This, according to the iowa restaurant.

E

Association, probably 30 percent of those small businesses.

E

Will never reopen again, it's very, very troubling.

E

It's very life-changing a lot of these people.

G

That are out of work are people that really need some assistance and.

G

They just don't have the ability right now to buy.

G

Food for their children to be able to make their rent or their house.

G

Payments, so this federal funding is so incredibly.

G

B

We're looking at things that are going to provide multiple benefits, that's that's! The food assistance.

B

Because that provides direct relief to folks in our community who are food.

B

Insecure but we're doing it through a program.

B

With restaurants and small businesses in our community so we're providing.

B

Direct aid to those small businesses as well.

E

Much like the floods of june and july of 2018.

E

We're building a playbook now you know, whereas.

E

Like in 2018, we had to create one because we've never had one like that.

E

Before now we're building a playbook that we can follow in the event that we run across something like this again,, we know what places to shut down.

E

We know what meetings can take place over the internet.

E

I think if there's a silver lining,, we're going to be better prepared.

E

If it ever happens again, we have to be prepared for a different day.

C

I mean things will change. I think people will be more cautious and I think that we have to be prepared for a different type of.

C

Phenomena that's come our way.

C

I think, as we work through.

F

These changes we're going to realize opportunities to really.

F

Prioritize, what's important., it's been pretty.

D

Amazing, how everyone is kind of bonded together and able to work together.

D

And know that we're going to get through this together and I think that's.

D

Important to know that this too shall pass we're going to move forward.

A

We know that the work that our first responders do,, whether it's the police,.

A

Whether it's fire,, whether it's our ems partners, or whether it's our people, that.

A

Every day from public works that are fixing the streets or picking up the garbage in our neighborhoods, also those people that are.

A

Working in the grocery stores and in the pharmacies and in those health.

A

Care places those front line workers are there every.

A

Single day and let's show them respect and protect them, and thank them so much for the jobs that they're doing our police and our fire are still doing their work.

G

Every day we have city employees that are still.

G

Out there doing their work, making it so things get done in this city and.

G

They're vital to our community, when we take.

B

Action to protect each other, it works better and.

B

That's how our community is strong and safe.

B

wearing a mask is a perfect example of that.. When I wear a mask that protects you,.

B

My neighbors,, the people who I come in contact with.

B

When my neighbors and the people I come in contact with wear a mask.

B

That protects me., it's the actions that everyone else takes.

B

That protect me and the actions that I take that protect everyone else.

B

And that's how a community is stronger together.

B

And that applies not just to the pandemic.

B

But to what we do day in and day out as a community.

A

Make sure we respect each other,, we respect our families,, we respect our.

A

Neighbors, respect our co-workers: let's all stay healthy and we'll get.

A

Through this now more than ever, let's observe all those suggestions.