But, New Orleans, I want you to know — we are built to last.
Tourism will bounce back better than ever with every reasonable action taken to ensure visitor safety. And the Saints will win the Super Bowl, once again. But first, we have to take care of ourselves. If our people aren’t healthy and safe, we can’t have a New Orleans economy. Public safety and health have to be the most important thing.
Let’s stay on track.
We have to look for 14-day declines in new cases. Let data — not dates — be our north star. As it relates to our phases for reopening, I’m relying heavily on the advice of health experts, our business community, and state leaders. My administration has established a data war room, which conducts real-time analysis of cases, deaths, and hospitalizations.
We have the brightest people working for you. I am so grateful for our medical heroes and first responders. I want to also say thank you to our council members, local state legislative delegation, and others who have been helping to shoulder this burden and get you the vital resources you need, while protecting your right to vote.
But most importantly — thank you, because you have represented our city with all the resilience, creativity, and grace that makes us so special. I know it’s been hard, but staying at home, wearing a mask during essential activities, and supporting each other remotely is working. Though we still have further to go, Orleans Parish is now on par with the parts of the country that have so far avoided the worst of the outbreak.
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