Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: President Scott and Councilmember Burnett
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Informational Hearing - Baltimore’s Strategic Response to the Wuhan Coronavirus
For the purpose of inviting representatives from the Baltimore City Health Department, the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management, the Baltimore Police Department, the Baltimore City Fire Department, and the Baltimore City Department of Finance to brief the City Council on Baltimore’s strategic response to the Wuhan coronavirus.
body
Recitals
Recently, a new strain of coronavirus was detected in thousands of people worldwide, prompting the World Health Organization to declare a “public health emergency of international concern.” Similarly, the United States federal government has declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency. This new strain of coronavirus, also referred to as 2019-nCoV, is a strain that has not been previously found in humans and has lead to nearly 500 deaths around the world as of last week.
Most people who were first diagnosed with this infection reported exposure to a large seafood and live animal market in Wuhan, China. Recently, people with this infection did not report contact with this market. Thus, person-to-person spread is occurring, and recently at least one individual has been diagnosed in Maryland.
The risk of a Baltimorean contracting coronavirus is generally low - contracting the flu remains a larger threat. However, the Baltimore City Council, on behalf of our constituents, is seeking to assess Baltimore’s preparedness both now and in the future should the coronavirus fail to be contained or cured. Specifically, the Council is interested in the level of coordination that is in place with our state and federal partners as well as the City’s fiscal readiness for any public health catastrophe.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the Council invites representatives from the Baltimore City Health Department, the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management, the Baltimore Police Department, the Baltimore City Fire Department, and the Baltimore City Department of Finance to brief the City Council on Baltimore’s strategic response to the Wuhan coronavirus.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health, the Baltimore City Police Commissioner, the Chief of the Baltimore City Fire Department, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management, the Director of Finance, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the Baltimore City Council.