In honor of COVID-19 victims and in solidarity with other parts of the nation that have suffered the heaviest loss of life, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer has directed all City-operated buildings and facilities to fly flags at half-staff to pay tribute to every person who has lost their life to the coronavirus.
“The City of San Diego is flying flags at half-staff in tribute to every American, Californian and San Diegan who has fallen to COVID-19 and in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in hard-hit places like New York,” Faulconer said. “The sudden passing of so many fellow Americans from a pandemic disease is unparalleled in modern history. It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the continued loss of life and I ask that you join me by keeping the departed in your thoughts and prayers.”
Over the weekend, the United States passed the grim milestone of 20,000 deaths from the illness. New York, in particular, has been the heaviest hit, recording more than 9,000 fatalities so far – the most of any state. Last week, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo described the impact as worse than the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and lowered the state’s flags to half-staff.
Recent reports have indicated San Diego’s early and aggressive action to slow the spread of the coronavirus may be helping to “flatten the curve” of local COVID-19 cases. While Faulconer has begun to express cautious optimism, he continues to urge vigilance, echoing warnings from public health officials that a premature easing of orders that mandate physical distancing might contribute to a second wave of infections.
For updates on City of San Diego services, programs, links to helpful information and steps the public can take to help reduce the spread of the disease, please visit sandiego.gov/coronavirus.
For information regarding COVID-19 cases and directives from County of San Diego public health officials, please visit coronavirus-sd.com. Text “COSD COVID19” to 468-311 for text alert updates.
A statewide “Stay-at-Home” order is in effect until April 30. For more information on the order, including what’s closed, what’s open and which industries are exempted by the state, please visit COVID19.ca.gov.
