Cincinnati mayor declares a state of emergency as Covid-19 leads to fire department staffing shortage
CNN
There are 27 firefighters out with Covid-19 and an additional 20 who are out sick, a Cincinnati spokesperson said.
"There are 27 firefighters out with Covid-19 right now and an additional 20 who are out sick. There are 774 firefighters total on staff," said Yasmin Chilton, city spokesperson.
As a result, Mayor John Cranley has declared a state of emergency to help appease the shortage. The declaration will allow the city manager to take "any steps necessary" to make sure the fire department is staffed adequately including canceling vacations and implementing mandatory overtime, Chilton said.
The Republican-led House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic on Thursday morning will send a letter to US Attorney General Merrick Garland referring a potential criminal case involving former New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo to the Department of Justice, alleging he lied to Congress.