Alabama city moves ahead with Mardi Gras plans amid pandemic

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Rex royalty take an extended pause in front of the charred carcass of a St. Charles Avenue mansion to make a toast, carrying on a tradition that began in 1907, at a house that looms large in krewe and Mardi Gras history in New Orleans, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. (Chris Granger/The Advocate via AP)

The city of Mobile, Alabama, is moving ahead with plans to hold Mardi Gras celebrations in early 2021 despite the coronavirus pandemic, which is quickly worsening.

Some groups already have called off parades and balls over concerns about spreading the virus that causes COVID-19, but news outlets report Mayor Sandy Stimpson’s office has released a memo saying Mardi Gras isn’t being canceled in the port city.

Instead, the city is getting ready to issue permits for parades that will wind through downtown streets. Stimpson’s memo, which was released publicly by a City Council member on social media, said the number of people riding on floats will be limited, and participants will need to wear face masks.

“This is a fluid situation, and we’re in uncharted waters,” said the memo, which also said organizations that rent city facilities for Mardi Gras balls will be able to cancel events as late as one week beforehand without a penalty.

Fat Tuesday is Feb. 16, and celebrations typically begin weeks before that. Mobile’s Mardi Gras celebration, while far smaller than the one held in New Orleans, is vital to the tourist economy around Mobile, where tens of thousands of people visit during a usual Mardi Gras.

New Orleans hasn’t said whether parades will be permitted, but some groups already have called off festivities because of the pandemic. Mayor LaToya Cantrell has said Mardi Gras will be celebrated, but differently from in a usual year.

On Monday, Cantrell put out a request for community input on how to safely celebrate in New Orleans. The request asks that submissions “indicate how you will prevent unstructured crowds of strangers” and other safety protocols.

A leading doctor in Mobile said Mardi Gras festivities could be a problem because large numbers of people who aren’t normally together will gather, increasing the risk that the virus will be transmitted more widely.

“Where we end up with Mardi Gras remains to be seen, but that’s something that needs to be planned and thought through very carefully,” Dr. Michael Chang, chief medical officer for USA Health, said at a news conference Monday.

Mobile County has recorded the second-highest number of coronavirus cases in the state since the pandemic began.

Alabama on Friday reported almost 3,000 more virus cases, the highest number reported in a single day since the pandemic began, and hospitalizations are increasing at a rate that has health officials concerned. Many of the newer cases are believed to be linked to Halloween parties, sporting events, and other group gatherings.

Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.