Las Vegas mayor blasts 30-day shutdown, claims coronavirus is similar to flu, other diseases

By Miranda Willson

Wednesday, March 18, 2020 | 12:09 p.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman wants Gov. Steve Sisolak to shorten the 30-day shutdown of all nonessential businesses in Nevada due to the coronavirus pandemic to eight to 10 days, saying a longer shutdown would “cripple” the Las Vegas economy.

Goodman’s remarks were made at Wednesday’s Las Vegas City Council meeting, which was held in person at City Hall less than 24 hours after Sisolak announced the shutdown of bars, restaurants, casinos, gyms and other businesses and urged people to “stay home for Nevada.”

Coronavirus has infected at least 42 people in Clark County, although testing has been limited and the number is likely an underestimate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends avoiding gatherings of 10 or more people, and President Donald Trump advises that people stay home as much as possible for the next two weeks to slow the spread of the virus.

Goodman compared the coronavirus, which has infected over 203,000 people globally and killed at least 8,218 as of Wednesday morning, to other outbreaks such as the Swine Flu pandemic in 2009, the Ebola outbreak in 2014, the Zika Virus epidemic in 2016, the SARS outbreak in 2004 and even the flu, among other diseases.

“Believe it or not, we’re still here,” Goodman said.

However, none of those viruses posed as great of a threat to Americans as coronavirus. The CDC estimates that between 60 million and 214 million people in the United States could be infected over the course of the pandemic and that as many as 1.7 million people in the United States alone could die. Experts have also warned against comparing coronavirus to other diseases, as it appears to be more contagious than many viruses and deadlier than the flu.

Las Vegas’ tourism-dependent economy puts the city at particular economic risk during a shutdown, unlike New York, San Francisco and other places that have also closed nonessential businesses, Goodman said. She is worried about the city’s many hospitality workers, small business owners and those living paycheck to paycheck during this time.

“Any full-on shutdown will cripple the state’s recovery, not only for now, but for several years to come,” Goodman said.

Although she stressed the need for Las Vegans to stay at home for the next eight to 10 days, Goodman implied that the city would try to keep some businesses open as “permitted,” despite the governor’s order for a 30-day shutdown starting Wednesday.

“The city of Las Vegas will seek ways for people and businesses to control their own lives, make their own choices, create and follow their own destinies and live being assured they have the right to do so in dignity, earning a living, providing for their families and even helping others to enjoy those same rights and dignities as they can,” Goodman said.

Only four council members showed up to Wednesday’s meeting in person: Goodman, Ward 4 Councilman Stavros Anthony, Ward 1 Councilman Brian Knudsen and Mayor Pro Tempore Michelle Fiore. Not everyone appeared to be on board with the mayor’s comments, nor the decision to hold the meeting in person.

“In future meetings, if we can’t figure out a virtual meeting format, I will not be here,” said Knudsen, adding that he only attended Wednesday to support city staff.

City Attorney Brad Jerbic echoed the mayor’s comments, emphasizing the importance of personal liberties and saying that people know to stay home when they’re sick. He also compared the pandemic to other disease outbreaks in recent years.

“This crisis, in my personal opinion, not legal opinion, is no different,” Jerbic said.

Goodman and Jerbic’s comments defied recommendations from global health experts, who estimate that Americans should prepare to stay inside for at least several weeks if not months.

In addition, health experts and Trump agree that everyone, whether they are sick or not, should stay home as much as possible and avoid large gatherings. That’s because people can contract the virus and not show symptoms for up to 14 days while spreading it to others. There is also evidence that some people can contract coronavirus and never show symptoms, but still infect those around them.

Ward 5 Councilman Cedric Crear, who tuned in virtually to the meeting, said he was “perplexed” by Jerbic’s assertions and concerned about City Hall employees who were forced to show up to work in the “closed confines of their offices,” running counter to recommendations made by Trump and the CDC to work from home if possible.

“I know personally we have a lot of team members who are confused and they are concerned,” Crear said.

City Manager Scott Adams said the city is working to comply with recommendations from the governor and the president and that the City Hall lobby as well as cultural and community centers will close Wednesday.

“I think we’ve been very compliant as a city up to this point, maybe with the exception of holding the council meeting,” Adams said.

As city manager, Adams will put in place an emergency management plan in light of the city’s declaration of a state of emergency Tuesday. The city council unanimously approved the mayor’s resolution for a state of emergency at Wednesday’s meeting, as well as a request for state and federal assistance.

Adams said he plans to communicate “vociferously” with the council moving forward, but that in a state of emergency, he has greater authority to make decisions “on an emergency basis.” He implored council members to show unity during this time, he said.

“In an emergency, I would hope you stand together as a council, coalesce and act in consensus behind me as we go forward,” Adams said. “We cannot break ranks.”

Even though Las Vegas is now in a state of emergency, city officials will continue doing business and guiding residents during this time, Adams added.

“It doesn’t mean we are shutting down the city of Las Vegas,” he said. “We very much will maintain business operations in the city.”