Like his counterparts across the United States, North Tonawanda, N.Y. Mayor Arthur Pappas was suddenly charged with insuring the safety of the 31,568 people in his town near Niagara Falls when the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world.

He told The Niagara Reporter that while the number of cases in the county kept rising the infection rate was beginning to fall although there were 108 cases and 70 deaths in the town as the United States was the hardest hit.

The town now is in a second phase of easing a lockdown, with more outside dining allowed at restaurants and he said, “the signs are positive and if we continue to social distance and wear the mask we will keep on the downward trend.”

As of June 29 summer day camps may open with no stayovers allowed and the third phase will see restaurants relying on takeout to survive being allowed to open and possibly other businesses and gathering spots with groups limited to 10 people.

Noting sometimes violent protests across the country over the death of George Floyd, Pappas said, “we have not had to endure those kinds of situations.”