Since the first Coronavirus cases first hit the country and Arizona, state and local leaders have taken the matter seriously and endeavored to prevent the virus’s spread and mitigate its serious effects on the state’s residents.
Governor Ducey and his Team
Governor Doug Ducey and his staff have diligently been keeping the states residents notified on steps his team was taking to prepare for the potential outbreak of the virus in Arizona for the last week.
Today (March 11, 2020,) after the ninth Arizona Resident tested positive for the Coronavirus coupled with the World Health Organization labeling the virus a pandemic, Governor Ducey declared a State of Emergency for the Grand Canyon State.
According to Andrew Oxford of AZ Central, this State of Emergency will allow the state to:
“……tap into emergency funding, gives authorities additional powers to procure medical supplies and waives licensing requirements to let health care officials take steps such as setting up new hospital beds.”
Furthermore, according to the Oxford piece, the Governor also signed an Executive Order which would:
“….require skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes and assisted living facilities to check for symptoms of both health care workers and visitors……the executive order also includes measures aimed at preventing price gouging while waiving co-pays for testing connected to the new coronavirus.”
Commenting on the declaration, Governor Ducey said:
“We are anticipating additional positive cases and we’re not taking any chances….. This is about public health and protecting lives….. our approach is to be calm, steady and transparent and to act with urgency to protect public health.”
Democrats in the State Legislature want to build on the foundation the Governor has laid.
Additional reporting by Jim Small of the Arizona Mirror revealed that State Democratic Leaders at the Capitol want to expand on what the Governor has done and have called for a special legislative session to consider measures such as:
- Funding for paid sick leave.
- Setting up a “hotline” for coronavirus information.
- Monies for mandatory testing and “free evaluation and testing for those without health insurance.”
- “Public assistance to Arizonans who become ill or quarantined and can’t pay their bills or mortgage”
- Increased funding for food banks, childcare subsidies, unemployment insurance, and food stamps.
- Appropriations for cleaning up mass transit like light rail and public bussing.
- Legislation to “stop price gouging.”
- Firming up statewide “guidelines and directions for nursing homes and long term care facilities.”
- Giving school districts direction on when it would be appropriate to close schools and for how long.
- Formulating guidelines on “who should be tested.”
According to Mr. Small’s piece, the Governor does not want to call a special session “for now.”
Additional perspectives from Individual Democrats in the State Legislature can be found by accessing an article from fellow Blogger and State Representative Pamela Powers Hanley here and Legislative District 18 Representative Mitzi Epstein here.
On Friday, March 13 2000, the members of the Arizona Legislature uniamously approved a $55 million emergency measure for the State to deal with the coronavirus.
Mayors across the State also take steps to combat the Coronavirus.
Arizona Mayors of cities and towns across the state have also started to take steps to address the Coronavirus.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego’s office issued a statement on March 9, 2020, in anticipation of Sunday’s Democratic Presidential Debate (which will now have no live audience or non-CNN press in attendance) saying in part:
“We understand that the fear felt by residents is real, which is why we want to ensure transparency and efficiency in the dissemination of information on this topic. At this time, we are working with the understanding that the debate is moving forward as planned and taking proper safety precautions in the lead up to Sunday. Based on this information we will reassess daily what possible changes need to be made.”
On Friday, March 13, Mayor Gallego announced that “all Phoenix Senior Centers would be closed until further notice.” There will be a halting of “public events” at city libraries and only “essential business” will be conducted at City Hall.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero held a press conference on March 9, 2020, with the city council, school district, and county health officials (please click on the video link here.) They collectively urged people to take preventive measures like washing hands and stay home from work if they are sick and do not panic. Mayor Romero said that city and county officials, along with local partners, were and will continue to work closing on working to combat and contain the virus to keep “our city healthy.” She reassured Tucson/Pima County residents that city and county officials were prepared when the virus hits the area and “we’re taking every precaution necessary…to maintain our community’s health.”
Interim Chief of Staff Melissa Randazzo to Mesa Mayor John Giles released a statement from his office, which read:
“The health of our residents is of the utmost importance to the City of Mesa. Right now, we are sharing procedures from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention with our residents to help stop the spread of the virus. We are also closely coordinating with Maricopa County Public Health officials to monitor the level of risk in our community. We will provide updates on specific actions as they become available through the health department.”
Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell commented:
“The City of Tempe will cancel public special events and project-specific public input meetings through the end of April, in compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance about large gatherings and the benefits of social distancing in minimizing community spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). We are taking a look at what is necessary regarding our Public Libraries and Museum and the classes they offer. You can learn more about what we are doing here:
https://mailchi.mp/tempe/city-of-tempe-coronavirus-covid-19-response-350457?e=5f15033ec0 “
It is reassuring that Arizona’s Local and State leaders are taking the Coronavirus seriously and are taking steps to safeguard the health of the Grand Canyon State’s residents.
This attention is vital as more measures will undoubtedly be needed to ensure Arizonans recover from this episode quickly, physically healthy, and economically stable.