Thread by @PhillyMayor

Today's updates:
➡️New COVID-19 cases
➡️Temple dedicates Liacouras Center as hospital space
➡️50,000 new Chromebooks for students
➡️Ben Simmons' @ThePhillyPledge
➡️#ThankYouPhilly for generous donations and support

Our @PHLPublicHealth Commissioner @DrTomFarley reported 154 new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Philadelphia, bringing our total to 637.

Unfortunately, we also reported two deaths; one was a nursing home resident.

We also have the first case of a Dept. of Corrections employee and an inmate. Our prisons team members are taking every precaution to protect staff and inmates, and we're working with courts to reduce our jail population.

In positive news, we announced that Temple University has offered The Liacouras Center and other facilities so that we can expand our hospital bed capacity.

It's a shining example of an organization that's stepping up to do what's best for Philadelphians.

#ThankYouPhilly

Thank you to Temple President Richard Englert, Board Chair Mitch Morgan, and the Temple team.

They did not hesitate when called, and we are very grateful for their assistance and leadership as we fight this epidemic.

Fortunately, there are many others to thank. #ThankYouPhilly

Holiday Inn Express Midtown: We are leasing the hotel to use as quarantine space for those who are unable to quarantine at home. Thank you to President Bill McNamara and General Manager Jo Ann Bogart.

Last week we launched the PHL COVID-19 Fund with
@PhillySJUnited and @PhilaFound.

In just 9 days, we raised $8.25 million. These funds will go to trusted nonprofits on the front line of the pandemic.

#PHLCOVID19FUND

Our philanthropy and corporate sectors have stepped up. This week, the #PHLCOVID19FUND received substantial commitments from:
–Dow Chemical
–Jim and Amy Gardner, whose generous gift was matched by Disney
–Janet and John Haas
–The Knight Foundation
(cont.)

#ThankYouPhilly

–The Mindy Holman/Frank Beideman Fund
–Philadelphia Health Partnership
–Pincus Family Foundation
–Samuel S. Fels Fund
–The Barra Foundation
–The Scholler Foundation
–van Ameringen Foundation

#ThankYouPhilly

Most inspiring is that more than 700 people donated $150,000 to the #PHLCOVID19FUND, contributing amounts starting at $25 through the website. #ThankYouPhilly

If you're able, please consider supporting the fund: PHLCOVID19Fund.org

Many thanks to Aileen and Brian Roberts who contributed $5 million to purchase 50,000 Chromebooks for @PHLschools.

Along with the District's current 40,000 laptops, they will be distributed to our students so that they have the tools they need to learn at home.

#ThankYouPhilly

I also applaud and thank the Sixers' @BenSimmons25, who is using his influence, voice, resources, and compassion to launch @ThePhillyPledge.

Ben is calling on Philadelphians to support both the #PHLCOVID19FUND and @Philabundance.

#ThankYouPhilly
thephillypledge.com

Ben Simmons: “As a city, we always band together. And no matter how far away we move in this world, Philadelphia is always home. Through thick and thin, wins and losses, championships or bust, we always come together in a time of need and leave no one behind.”

#ThankYouPhilly

All of these contributions truly demonstrate the spirit of the Philadelphia region. #ThankYouPhilly

In closing, have a good weekend, and please stay home.