Early in Congressional deliberations on the federal government’s initial response to the growing COVID-19 threat to the nation, the U.S. Conference of Mayors communicated to House and Senate leaders the importance of prioritizing the needs of cities as the crisis was unfolding. The message: cities are going to be central to the nation’s response effort, and federal resources directed to the local responders on the front line will be critical to safeguarding our citizens.

On March 18, at the start of deliberations on a third emergency spending package, the Conference submitted to Congressional leaders an urgent request for $250 billion in flexible emergency fiscal assistance to cover a broad range of critical activities needed to stem the spread of the virus and bolster city services and economies – a request individually endorsed by more than 300 mayors.

With the virus expanding rapidly in cities across the country, protecting public health and public safety are the most immediate and the highest priorities driving the Conference of Mayors request for direct federal assistance. It is abundantly clear that the shortage of essential items such as face masks, test kits, personal protective equipment, ventilators and other items needed by health and safety personnel has reached crisis proportions in cities across the country. The result is that the safety of city residents and the health workers and first responders protecting them is being seriously compromised.

The survey described in this report illustrates the scope and severity of the need for COVID-19 emergency equipment in this nation’s cities. It shows that, despite their best efforts, most cities do not have and cannot obtain adequate equipment and supplies needed to protect their residents. This is a life-threatening crisis that will continue unless the federal government does everything in its power to help us safeguard our first responders and health care workers – our first line of defense – and the millions of other public servants in our cities whose work today puts them at risk.

Tom Cochran

CEO & Executive Director

March 27, 2020