All of us are eager to return to some semblance of normality, but this decision cannot be made in haste. Prematurely reopening the state not only risks losing more of our loved ones, but also further crippling our local communities by deepening the spread of a virus that has already taken far too great of a toll.I am deeply concerned that the state is continuing a push to reopen while the number of new cases has risen over the past 14 days and Arizona is last in the nation in testing per capita. We simply do not have enough testing to ascertain the risk of reopening and adding concern is a recent decision by Governor Ducey to sideline advice and ‘pause’ the work of public health statisticians and experts.
These are not decisions to be taken lightly. We all want our businesses to reopen and we all want everyone to safely return to work. The last thing we want is businesses to open prematurely, our loved ones to die alone in the hospital, and for Republicans in Congress to deny more aid to businesses because they had their “doors open.” To take heed to President Trump for political reasons will endanger Arizonans.
Instead, our Governor should be urging this administration to work where it has failed. They must ensure states have testing materials and the ability to swiftly trace and isolate cases. We can get there, but if we make the wrong decisions now, it will cost more lives and prolong the economic misery. We can’t afford to get this wrong.
I will continue working in Congress to expand relief programs for our workers, small businesses, and those who have gone without; ensure that smaller cities and rural areas have access to relief; and demand hazard pay and better workplace protections for our essential workers who have kept our economy afloat during this unprecedented time.
This article appears in May 7-13, 2020.
Why don’t you call for a boycott of AZ Raul. That always helps.
No evidence whatsoever that lockdown saved a single life. In fact, with the release of the excess death analysis by state, we now know that the eight states that refused to lockdown have no excess deaths.
By comparison, lockeddown New York had 15,000 excess deaths all by itself and recently released a study showing that the overwhelming majority of new infections were people who were locked down.
Lockeddown people get infected by their family members, their friends, at the grocery store and, those living in condominiums sharing ventilated air get poisoned by their neighbors.
When will we return to normal? We may be wearing masks in public for years. I personally will no longer be shaking hands, possibly for years.
Sadly, the results of any mistakes will be felt for a generation, at least. Just because restaurants are allowed to be open, and cruise ships sailing, will people come out before it is safe?
There have been and will be mistakes. Let’s hope we learn something from all the mistakes Gov. Cuomo made in NY. His hospital to care facility was just plain stupid. Political gamesmanship that killed thousands.And I believe he was the first to criticize others while mainstream media televised his daily updates.
Remember people. Always do the opposite of what Trump says.
Everyone needs to sit down and shut up. Raul will tell us when it’s safe!
Oh yes, everyone should follow the Raul, he knows everything! As does his family member R Romero the better than thou must run in the family
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Without easily accessible testing with quick results, it stands to reason the virus will spread if we go back to our pre-pandemic behavior. People can be asymptomatic and be infecting others.
It’s not about politics, it’s common sense.
Historical Note: In 1918 Philadelphia was the first major US city to reopen. It was the last to recover economically and healthfully. Many say it never did.