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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2020
Revised Public Viewing Details
DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond Forms COVID-19 Task Force
Task force driven by medical and scientific expertise
DECATUR, Ga.—DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has formed a COVID-19 Strategic Task Force.
Driven by science and medical expertise, the task force will provide professional, technical and strategic counsel related to protecting the health, safety and economic well-being of DeKalb’s 750,000 residents.
Top medical experts will include David Ross, president and CEO of The Task Force for Global Health, and Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, district director of the DeKalb Board of Health.
The task force will host its inaugural meeting via teleconference Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at 10 a.m.
“This pandemic is a fluid situation with no standard play book or set of rules,” CEO Thurmond said. “During this critical time in the life of our county, it is important to gather the best information and advice from experts to help us save lives and restart our economy.”
Members of this task force will include the Board of Commissioners Presiding Officer Steve Bradshaw and two commissioners, representatives of the DeKalb County School District, the DeKalb State House and Senate Delegations, DeKalb Municipal Association, DeKalb public safety leaders and economic development experts. Other members may include business and civic leaders, educational institutions, faith organizations, and human services professionals.
The task force is authorized by Executive Order 20-001 issued March 23, 2020, in response to the public health and economic emergency within DeKalb County due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Technical arrangements have been made to allow simultaneous public access to the teleconference meeting via live stream from the DCTV Ustream channel. To access the channel, visit www.dctvchannel23.tv and select the “DCTV’s Ustream Channel” menu option.
Members of the task force (still being assembled) include:
Health
David Ross, The Task Force for Global Health
Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, DeKalb County Board of Health
Board of Commissioners
Presiding Officer Steve Bradshaw
Two commissioners yet to be appointed
DeKalb County School District
Interim Superintendent Ramona Tyson
Judicial
Chief Judge Asha Jackson, Superior Court
Public Safety
Public Safety Director Jack Lumpkin
Sheriff Melody Maddox
Chief Joseph Cox, DeKalb Emergency Management Agency
Legislative
House Chairwoman Karla Drenner
Senate Chairman Emanuel Jones
Cities
Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst
Pine Lake Mayor Melanie Hammett
Business
Ann Hanlon, Perimeter Community Improvement Districts
Emory Morsberger, Tucker Summit and Metro South Community Improvement Districts
Alan Goodman, Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce
Ken Coleman, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
Dorian DeBarr, DeKalb County Development Authority
Human Services
Lamar Smith, Division of Family and Children Services
Transportation
Jeff Parker, MARTA
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