MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) — Members of the Medical Society of Mobile County issued a statement Tuesday morning urging officials in local municipalities not to issue parade permits at this time. The medical officials say they’ve seen what they describe as a “disturbing steady rise” in cases and hospitalizations in Mobile County. Under 20% of all people tested in the County are positive. They say this unacceptably high.
“We emphasize that the guidance is clear: non-work gatherings are just that – non-work gatherings and 6’ is 6’. The event that poses the most staggering and considerable risks are parades; where thousands of citizens attend, crowded together and remain for several hours,” read the release. They say they understand Mardi Gras is woven into this community but they must have a unified response to this pandemic.
“We as a health care community, advise the Unified Command to encourage towns and municipalities to not issue parade permits at this time. We also understand that Mardi Gras Parade are intimately woven into the very fabric of our community. Due to our current health pandemic, we ask for their cancelation in their current form,” read the release.
Mayor Sandy Stimpson has released a brief statement on the letter from the Medical Society of Mobile County. “Today Mayor Stimpson is focused on the city’s historic purchase of the Brookley by the Bay property. We appreciate the guidance offered in the Medical Society’s letter we received this morning, and the Mayor will be glad to provide further comments on their specific recommendations after he’s had adequate time to review and discuss them internally.”
The Mobile County Health Department also released a statement on the letter. “The Mobile County Health Department is in full support of the Medical Society of Mobile County letter to the Unified Command dated 28 November, 2020. COVID-19 community transmission rate is high in Mobile County. Hospitals in our community are at or near capacity, and hospitalizations for COVID-19 continue to increase,” said Dr. Laura Cepeda, the MCHD Chief Medical Officer.
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