Baltimore mayor urges Trump to cancel visit amid virus

WASHINGTON

The mayor of Baltimore, Maryland asked US President Donald Trump on Thursday to cancel a planned visit to the city because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Democratic Mayor Bernard Jack Young said the largest city in the state remains under a stay-at-home order due to the pandemic and Trump's visit "sends the wrong message to our residents, many of whom have been disproportionately impacted" by the virus.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump are scheduled Monday to visit the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.

"I wish that the president, as our nation’s leader, would set a positive example and not travel during this holiday weekend," Young said, referring to the Memorial Day holiday which honors US military personnel who died while serving.

In addition, Young said Baltimore is suffering a $20 million loss in revenue per month due to the pandemic and "simply can’t afford to shoulder" the burden of personnel and equipment needed for the visit.

He hopes the president changes his mind but said if Trump chooses to visit, the city will "of course, be prepared."

As of Thursday, Maryland reported more than 43,500 coronavirus cases and 2,150 deaths, according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University.

In Baltimore, more than 5,100 people have been infected and over 270 people have died from the virus.

Separately, Trump visited Ypsilanti, Michigan on Thursday to tour a Ford Motor Co. factory, despite an emergency order in that state that was extended to May 28.