7 takeaways from the first phase of the COVID-19 Local Response Initiative
June 1, 2020
For mayors and other local leaders, the COVID-19 outbreak and all the economic and social problems intertwined with it have made this the most challenging time in generations.
To bolster their leadership skills and sharpen their understanding of the health crisis, hundreds of them have taken a short break from the tumult every Thursday for the past 11 weeks to participate in coaching and learning sessions through the COVID-19 Local Response Initiative.
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Follow the Data Podcast: How Freetown, Sierra Leone is Responding to COVID-19
May 29, 2020
Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown, Sierra Leone spoke with Dr. Kelly Henning, who leads the public health program at Bloomberg Philanthropies, to discuss how Freetown is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, how global mayors are sharing information during the coronavirus crisis, and what’s keeping mayors hopeful right now.
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Follow the Data Podcast: The Cost of Recovery for Our Cities, Part 2
May 22, 2020
This week’s episode dives into how apart from securing and deploying aid, it’s particularly important for cities to maintain fiscal order so that they can maximize the funds and avoid any misuse and trouble down the road.
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5 Questions on COVID-19 with Dr. Kelly Henning
May 20, 2020
The lead of our Public Health program, epidemiologist Dr. Kelly Henning, answers five frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 response on topics including testing and the timeline for reopening communities.
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Step Back in Time with Virtual History Lessons, 3D Tours of Historic Buildings, a Digital Dinosaur Safari, and More
May 15, 2020
Travel back in time this weekend with virtual offerings that allow you to explore ancient lands where dinosaurs roamed, World War II Britain, colonial America, and more – without having to leave your home. History buffs and novices alike will not want to miss these historical resources from cultural institutions supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
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Follow the Data Podcast: A Promising Treatment for COVID-19
May 15, 2020
In this episode of our series around Bloomberg Philanthropies’ COVID-19 response, Dr. Casadevall joined Dr. Jessica Leighton, from our public health team, to discuss how blood plasma has been used to treat infectious disease outbreaks in the past, what makes blood plasma treatment different from a vaccine, how donating your blood plasma could help your community, and what’s giving researchers hope right now.Â
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What It Takes to Serve 500,000 Meals to Front Line Workers in NYC’s Public Hospitals – A Look into the Bloomberg Philanthropies and World Central Kitchen Partnership
May 12, 2020
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has engulfed New York City, on April 15, Bloomberg Philanthropies and World Central Kitchen, the international nonprofit founded by Chef José Andrés, came together to ensure frontline workers at 16 of the NYC Health + Hospital facilities hardest hit by the crisis would have fresh, healthy meals seven days a week. Less than one month since the initiative launched, 500,000 meals, made possible by a $6 million contribution from Mike Bloomberg, have been served.
That’s 30,000 meals a day, including kosher, halal and vegetarian options, served to New York City’s public hospital doctors, nurses, janitors, facilities staffers, police officers, visiting medical staff and military personnel. To serve meals at this scale, and to assist New York’s ailing restaurant industry and its workers, World Central Kitchen connected with local restaurants.
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Follow the Data Podcast: Slowing the Spread of COVID-19 in Africa
May 8, 2020
Bloomberg Philanthropies is partnering with global health organization Vital Strategies on global response efforts, along with the World Health Organization, to support immediate action to prevent or slow the spread of COVID-19 in vulnerable low and middle-income countries, particularly those in Africa. In this episode of our series around Bloomberg Philanthropies’ COVID-19 response, Amanda McClelland, the Senior Vice President of Prevent Epidemics and Resolve to Save Lives at Vital Strategies, sat down with Dr. Jennifer Ellis, who works on our Public Health program.
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Our Virtual Culture Road Trip Continues with Stops for Glass Making, Middle Eastern Food, Theater Celebrating Latinx Culture, and More
May 8, 2020
This week we continue our virtual cross-country road trip to a dozen cultural organizations in cities across America. While sheltering-in-place keeps us from visiting in person for now, these small and midsize cultural organizations are bringing their most exciting offerings right to our living rooms — digitally. Join us to continue the virtual road trip with activities, exhibits, cooking lessons, and more from organizations, which are part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Arts Innovation and Management (AIM) program, in six cities.
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Survey: U.S. mayors concerned about cities’ COVID-19 testing capacity
May 7, 2020
As leaders on every level of government eye reopening their economies — and explore the best ways to get there — America’s mayors are expressing concern over a lack of COVID-19 testing capacity and the availability of resources needed to care for their most vulnerable residents.
This is according to a new poll of mayors conducted by The U.S. Conference of Mayors and Bloomberg Philanthropies. The survey, fielded May 1–4, found that two-thirds (66 percent) of mayors who responded say they are able to prioritize rapid testing for residents with COVID-19 symptoms, including those from high-risk populations.
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