Lord Mayor Feldmann publishes video message
In a video message, for the first time since the beginning of the Coronavirus crisis on Tuesday 17 March Lord Mayor Peter Feldmann addressed Frankfurt’s citizens directly. “Dear Citizens of Frankfurt, we are all together facing a huge new challenge. Together, we will act calmly and clearly, with a level-headed approach to slow the spread of the Coronavirus and above all protect older and weaker persons,” he said.
He went on to say that no doubt the measures put in place by government constituted a major, drastic, but vital change to people’s normal lives. However, “while the situation is serious, the municipal authorities have it under control. All the relevant players are on-board in the City of Frankfurt crisis response team where they decide and act together, Feldmann continued, emphasizing everyone should remain cool and trust the decisions government institutions are taking. “My appeal to you all is: Comply with what the government recommends.” Only in this way, he stated, and if we all work together, can we combat the virus which is above all dangerous for older people and get a handle on it while also protecting the most vulnerable amongst us. The goal of all the measures is primarily to make certain the health system does not get overwhelmed and in this way ensure everyone who needs healthcare gets optimal treatment.
“My thanks go to all those people who are dedicated to keeping public utilities running, keeping us all safe, and providing us all with healthcare,” Feldmann said. Alongside the doctors, are workers and police force, thee lord mayor explicitly also thanks those who work in retailing and day-in day-out make certain we can all buy food and hygiene articles. “I appeal to you all to remain level-headed and ask you to desist from panic-buying and as far as possible put personal contact to other people on ice for the next few weeks. Only in this way can be conquer the invisible but at times fatal enemy,” Feldmann asserted.
At the same time, the lord mayor called on the politicians to bring all their efforts to bear in steadying all sectors of the economy, in which context the Federal government and State of Hessen have already launched extensive measures. “I call on the State of Hessen to float an additional EUR 10 billion programme to stabilize our infrastructure, money that must reach all those who in part depend on it being forthcoming for their livelihoods – with no red tape, fast and effectively,” Feldmann said, in which context he insisted money could only play a subordinate role.
“We notice in times like this that what really counts is a sense of community, responsibility, being there for one another. Often it is the supposedly small things that become great things when many people do them: Shopping for fellow citizens who are older or ill, donations to the food banks, phoning someone who is not feeling good, showing respect for the person on the cash desk in the supermarket, supporting our emergency staff. Anyone who takes this all to heart in the current crisis does a lot and helps us keep this difficult period as short as possible,” said Feldmann rallying the support of the citizens of Frankfurt.
17MAR20 Source: www.frankfurt.de