Atlantic City now has four confirmed COVID-19 cases, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small said Friday, during a Facebook Live talk.He also reiterated that the Boardwalk would stay open."That's people's outlet," Small said. Despite reports that people are not maintaining social distancing while on the Boardwalk, he said that is not the information he is receiving from the frontlines."We have police up there patrolling," Small said, adding "we have the right to reverse the decision based on intelligence from experts."
Small said he wanted to "address some of the rumor control and scuttlebutt.""I got time tonight," Small said as he took issue with some of the things going on in the city, including videos shared online of kids fighting and that people are not going to get their kids meals being given out daily at the city's schools."Instead of filming, why don't you do something?" he asked. "This ain't funny at all."When asked about when the casinos would reopen, Small said now is not the time."We love the casinos. They're our biggest taxpayers," he said, but "this is a worldwide pandemic. We've got to be smart and think about people's health and safety at this time."
Small on Thursday used the social media platform to announce two Atlantic City residents had tested positive for COVID-19.
City Council President George Tibbitt weighed in also."Was up on boardwalk today bike riding and lots of residents up there all keeping proper distance and enjoying the boardwalk, walking, jogging and riding bikes," Tibbitt wrote in a comment. "We are so blessed to have the Boardwalk. People yelling thanks to me for the city keeping Boardwalk open."
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Atlantic City announced its first two confirmed cases of COVID-19, Mayor Marty Small said during a Facebook Live news conference Thursday evening.
The two people are both residents, Small said. But he would give no further details, citing HIPAA laws.
He reiterated that the Boardwalk would also remain open, but warned people against problems.
There have been reports of looting attempts at night, he said, noting that the Boardwalk is covered by surveillance cameras.
"Don't think you're getting away," he said. “This is a time we should be coming together and not being opportunists.”
Small said he could not take questions at the news conference, but would try to answer those left in the comments.
He also talked of the “massive layoffs” that Hard Rock and Ocean Resort announced earlier in the day.
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