Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
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As many of you already know, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued orders this week to slowly reopen our economy.
The city of Toledo is moving cautiously to reopen, adhering to the governor’s orders, and ensuring we fight the spread of COVID-19 and keep Toledoans as safe as possible. This is a fight we can win if we continue to practice social distancing and use face coverings.
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Employers and businesses can require employees, visitors, and customers to wear masks, and the governor has recommended such action. I agree with him that face coverings will be fairly standard in the workplace. I spoke about face coverings in the latest
Wire Side Chat
. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also recommended Americans wear cloth face coverings in public to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Dentists, veterinarians, and elective healthcare procedures are now permitted to resume operations. Many other businesses have been ordered to remain closed until further notice. The governor’s stay-at-home order is now in effect through May 29.
Effective May 4, general office environments are permitted to return to work. Gov. DeWine, however, is urging employers to continue work-from-home procedures "as much as humanly possible" until further notice. Also, manufacturing, distribution, and construction can resume.
Effective May 12, retail locations can reopen.
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I urge everyone to use caution and follow the guidelines that will help us get through this.
A COVID-19 drive-thru testing site opened yesterday in the Metroparks Hawkins Farmhouse, 5434 West Bancroft St. The site is supported by Walmart, Quest Diagnostics, the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, the county, and the city. More information can be found at
this link
under “community testing.”
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Issue 1 was unfortunately not successful at the polls this week. If you look at the results based on when voters cast their ballots, it is clear that Issue 1 was on its way to victory before the election was postponed. There was strong support for Issue 1 because residents made it very clear that they wanted their roads fixed, and they wanted the city to do a better job providing our essential services like public safety and parks.
In the last 45 days, however, the world has turned upside down. I know Toledoans want their roads fixed, but I don’t blame them for being cautious with their own money in these uncertain times. As the COVID-19 crisis deepened, our residents and business owners faced great uncertainty. They are not feeling secure and many have been laid off. The election was held amid the crisis, so the outcome of the vote is not surprising.
Moving forward, Toledo must find a better way to fix our roads, take care of our infrastructure, and provide the services this city and its residents need. Our focus in the near future will be to deal with the health and welfare of our city as we deal with COVID-19.
Toledo can do big things, and we have faced even tougher challenges in the past. I look forward to working with City Council and our residents to chart a path toward the future.
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Finally this week, I would like to wish University of Toledo President Dr. Sharon Gaber all the best on her next endeavor – her appointment as chancellor at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte.
Sharon was a good friend to me and to Toledo, and she will be missed. We hope she will often think fondly of her time in our great city. UT improved greatly under her tenure and I know it will continue to thrive!
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Department of Neighborhoods
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City of Toledo Neighborhoods Department employees distributed nearly 30,000 disposable masks and nearly 6,000 pairs of gloves today to churches, neighborhood organizations, local agencies, and other groups, which will dispense the supplies to the public, and in some cases to staff members working with the public, to help fight the spread of COVID-19.
The cost of the masks and gloves will be reimbursed to the city with Community Development Block Grant Funding.
“There is an urgent need for masks and gloves in our community, and for the organizations that have requested assistance,” said Monica L. Smith,
neighborhood navigator for the city of Toledo.
Mayor Kapszukiewicz thanked all of the organizations working with the city to help fight COVID-19.
“Efforts like this are critically important in this fight,” the mayor said said. “We are in this together and I am proud to see Toledoans collaborating to meet the needs of our community.”
Councilman Larry Sykes, who helped to coordinate the effort, added: “Toledoans are strong and we will meet this challenge. I am happy to see all of these different groups coming together to help, because it is best when we work together to protect those who are most vulnerable. By helping them, we help first responders and the whole city.”
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The organizations and groups that received the masks and gloves for free distribution are Canaan Manifested Word Church, City of Zion Church, The Mt. Zion Church, Connecting Kids to Meals, First Church, Toledo Community Coalition, Greater Grace Church, Groomed Barbershop, Jerusalem Baptist Church, Junction Coalition, Lucas County Children Services, Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio, Macedonia Baptist Church, Neighborhood Health Association, New Eureka Baptist Church, New Hope Baptist Church of Toledo, New Prospect Baptist Church, Pathway, Robinson Elementary Community Hub, Southern Missionary Baptist Church, Sunshine Communities, TARTA, Temple of Praise, The Tabernacle, United Community Church, Lucas County Veterans Service Commission, 10 local Stop & Go stores, and 10 local Stop and Shop stores.
Lucas County Veterans Service Commission received 500 masks that will be distributed to veterans and the public during business hours; Lucas County Children Services received 1,000 masks for families helped by the agency, and TARTA will received 4,800 masks.
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Toledo-Lucas County Health Department
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Community
COVID-19
testing is now available in Lucas County. Increased testing is the first step on the road to recovery and easing restrictions necessary to combat the spread of COVID-19.
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Visit
this page
for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Lucas County.
The 24/7 Lucas County COVID-19 Call Line Numbers are: 419-251-4000 (English only) and 419-291-5355 (multilingual).
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The Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 website is
Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov
and the Ohio Department of Health hotline is 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
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Parks, Recreation, and Forestry
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Call Engage Toledo at 419-936-2020 to request service or report code violations such as illegal dumping.
The Engage Toledo app lets you make service requests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. We are committed to customer service.
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By The Numbers
(year to date)
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42,230
potholes filled
536,543
pounds of debris cleared from streets with street sweepers
639,478
pounds of debris cleared from alleys
85
water main breaks repaired
465,904
feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
7,244
feet of storm sewers cleaned
778
illegal signs removed
293
trees trimmed
2,1067
building inspections completed
1,361
contractor licences issued
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Try these 5 virtual fitness classes from Toledo trainers
With most of us staying home as much as possible during the pandemic, it’s all too easy to become one with our couches— not the best way to boost our immune system when we need it most. Luckily, there are lots of ways you can keep a consistent fitness routine without leaving your home. We made a list of five local fitness hubs that have online classes (some of which are free) so that you don’t miss a beat with maintaining your health and wellness.
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