Philadelphia Friday Updates: Cases Continue to Rise; City Joins Lawsuit against Trump; 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

COVID-19 Update

The Health Department of Philadelphia began unannounced gym inspections following the city’s decision to allow gyms to reopen on Monday, July 2020. Only one of the twelve gyms inspected were found to have an issue. One patron in the gym was not wearing a mask, but the gym gave a mask to the patron and required that they use it. Following this incident, the gym passed.  

The daily case count continues to rise in Philadelphia. 201 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Philadelphia today “due to a large number of test results being received by the City.” There are now 29,303 confirmed cases. One fatality has been reported, bringing the total number of deaths to 1,676.

To read the complete COVID-19 July 24, 2020 update, click here.  

Philadelphia Joins Lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s Attempt to Exclude Undocumented Immigrants from Congressional Apportionment

Philadelphia joined many other states, cities and counties Friday in the fight against President Donald Trump’s attempt to exclude undocumented immigrants from congressional apportionment, in which millions of people would not be considered when determining how many members each state receives for the House of Representatives.

According to the City’s press briefing, the large coalition, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, is filing a lawsuit in order to prevent the census from being politicized and ensure that all people are counted for in the apportionment process, which is a requirement by the U.S. Constitution.

“I am pleased that Philadelphia can join so many other cities and states in seeking to halt this latest outrageous effort by the President to divide the country,” said Mayor Kenney. “The outcome of the 2020 Census is far too important to allow such a move to go unchallenged. A nation founded by immigrants needs to count its immigrants. They cannot simply be erased through a bureaucratic sleight-of-hand by a White House intent on subverting the Constitution. Our country’s founders declared—and 200 years of practice and judicial and administrative precedents have affirmed—that there are no exceptions in the Constitution regarding immigration status when it comes to the census. The census counts every person living in the United States of America.”

To read more about the coalition’s arguments, click here.

The 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

The 30th anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the United States falls on this Sunday, July 26, 2020. This civil rights law protects Americans with disabilities from being discriminated based on their condition in the workplace and in other public places and resources.

The City of Philadelphia has released an official statement about this anniversary.

“The Americans with Disabilities Act is among the most impactful pieces of legislation in our nation’s recent history. All Americans—regardless of their ability—deserve to have equal access to and be able to enjoy public spaces and accommodations. They are also entitled to protections against discrimination based on their disabilities. Thanks to the ADA, Americans are guaranteed both under federal law.

The full statement can be read here.

Philadelphia encourages residents with disabilities to request modifications to any programs, services or activities in the city through the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities.

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