Governor Blow with the Reactionary Wind Doug Ducey has done it again.
Not listening to (or consulting) local political and health leaders (at least the ones that do not belong to the same political party or fact-based universe,) Mr. Ducey, citing currently declining Coronavirus-related numbers, has unilaterally removed virtually all COVID 19 health safety measures on businesses and events.
The Mayors of Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff all expressed disapproval of Mr. Ducey’s decision.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego issued a statement that read:
“The Governor’s decision directly contradicts the best scientists in the field. The horrible surge last June was only curbed by masking- when the Governor finally allowed cities to do it. To abandon precautions now is like spiking the ball on the 5-yard line. We know new variants are circulating. The risk of another surge is real. The Governor clearly cares a lot less about the people of Arizona than his political future.”
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero was more confrontational in her statement, writing:
“Governor Ducey’s actions are pre-mature and will jeopardize Arizona lives unnecessarily. The vast majority of Arizonans are not fully vaccinated and the threat of more contagious, lethal variants remains. It is unfortunate that Governor Ducey is caving to political pressure from the far-right and hopping on the band-wagon of reckless actions of other Governors instead of following the science and doing what’s best for Arizonans.”
“Removing local mask requirements is not linked to spurring our economy, as the Governor suggests. On the contrary, his actions could exacerbate community transmission, prolonging the pandemic and delaying a full and permanent re-opening of our economy.”
“Our City Attorney has advised me that we have clear local authority to continue implementing our city mask mandate. As Mayor, I have no intention of removing our local mask-wearing requirement. Last summer, I announced that we would proceed with implementing a local mask mandate before the Governor untied our hands precisely because we know we have the legal authority. Here in Tucson, we will continue to follow the science and advice of our public health experts.”
Mayor Romero and Tucson City Attorney Mike Rankin held a press briefing at 4:00 p.m. to discuss Tucson’s position on Governor Ducey’s Executive Order.
During the press conference, the Mayor said everything that has been accomplished with the vaccinations and declining COVID 19 numbers “can be thrown out the window” if “we let our guard down” especially with mass gathering events like spring break, Passover, and Easter.
Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy offered:
“Governor Ducey’s Executive Order to end our city’s mask mandate is dangerous, irresponsible, and premature. Know that the mask mandate remains in place on city property itself, including parks and Jay Lively.”
“Businesses can still refuse service to individuals not wearing masks on their property, and I am urging businesses to stay steadfast in their masking policies until a sufficient number of people have been vaccinated.”
UPDATE: The Flagstaff Mayor and City Council have opted to keep their local mask-wearing mandate in place as well as Tucson.
Governor Ducey was wrong not to impose a state-wide mask mandate during the height of the COVID 19 Pandemic.
He is wrong again in prematurely disregarding CDC recommendations and following the Trump Zone-Fox Island-Disinfowar line on taking away safety protocols now when the majority of Arizonans are still not vaccinated and more virulent variants of the Coronavirus are present.
How many innocent Arizonans will pay the price again for Ducey’s political opportunism and stupidity?
Discover more from Blog for Arizona
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.