Arizona Legislative Democratic Reaction to Republicans Doing Away with the Mask Wearing Requirement at the State Capitol

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Yesterday, March 29, 2021, the Republicans in the Arizona State Legislature decided to follow, not science or the advice of health experts, but the political whims of Governor Doug Blow with the Wind Ducey and voted or sanctioned the taking away of the requirement to wear masks at the State Capitol.

The Arizona Senate voted along party (tribal) lines 16 to 14 to do away with the requirement.

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Arizona House Speaker Russell Bowers did not even put the matter to a vote, using the powers of his position to do away with the mask-wearing policy in that chamber.

With new variants of the Coronavirus in Arizona and surges starting to percolate in the Grand Canyon state and across the country, now is not the time to act stupid on the alter of free will (funny how that rationale does not apply in conservatives minds to a woman’s reproductive choice) as some of these members of the former party of Lincoln are espousing.

Democrats in the State Legislature wasted no time in calling out the Republicans for the poor choice they made:

Senate Leader Rebecca Rios issued a statement that read in part:

“We’re deeply disappointed that Senate Republicans voted today to ignore science, common sense and decency by no longer requiring masks in the Senate. #COVID mitigation strategies work and we all have a role in keeping our community safe…”

https://twitter.com/AZSenateDems/status/1376677281616130048/photo/1

During the debate on the Senate Floor, Senator Lisa Otondo implored everyone to continue to wear masks for everyone’s safety.

So did Senator Lea Alston who cited the risks to her being a lung cancer survivor if she came down with the Coronavirus at the Legislature.

Senator Sally Ann Gonzales, in tears after recounting the loss of her brother to COVID also pleaded for Republicans to show common sense, follow the science, and lead.

On the House side, Representative and Doctor Randy Friese advised:

https://twitter.com/DrRandyFriese/status/1376950933565792257

Those moving attempts to steer the Republicans to scientifically-based reality did not work with noted fringe mental midgets like Kelly Townsend who immediately showed up on the Senate floor after the 16 to 14 vote without their masks.

This move to project a picture that it is acceptable to relax COVID 19 safety protocols and other Coronavirus safety precautions are premature and potentially deadly.

It is now public that Governor Ducey did not consult any health care experts outside his inner circle before he issued his Executive Order taking away mandates aimed at promoting pandemic safety.

Talk about playing with people’s lives.

This is the same Doug Ducey who posted on his social media pages today that he is thankful to doctors for all they do.

Doctors and all health care professionals in Arizona wish they could say the same to Mr. Ducey and the other science-denying members of the former Party of Lincoln.

Arizonans should follow the guidance of public officials (either Democrat or Republican) that continue to champion caution and safety with regards to the pandemic.

These are the people that are following the science and advice of medical experts and whose advice offer the best chance of combatting the virus until most if not all Arizonans are vaccinated.

 

 

 

 

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