In a reversal of his previous policy, Gov. Doug Ducey announced today that he will allow local jurisdictions to mandate the wearing of face masks in an effort to slow Arizona’s skyrocketing spread of COVID-19.
Ducey, who wore a mask before beginning the press conference for the first time, said different areas of the state were facing different circumstances, so he was relaxing his emergency regulations that limited the actions of local communities. He said it would be up to local communities to set up rules and penalties.
Tucson officials, including Mayor Regina Romero and Councilmember Steve Kozachik, had been asking Ducey to allow them to set local standards in accordance with CDC guidelines. Earlier today, Romero said she had asked City Attorney Michael Rankin to develop a legal strategy to require masks.
Ducey, who had not emphasized the wearing of face masks before last week, recommended that people should “act responsibly” and wear the masks when out in public.
“Every Arizonan should wear a face mask,” Ducey said. “It’s the smart thing to do.”
Following Ducey’s announcement, Pima County Supervisor Sharon Bronson said she believed the county should mandate the wearing of face masks.
Ducey also said his administration would be providing more guidance to businesses to prevent large gatherings.
Ducey’s action comes as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona soared to nearly 41,000 as of today after the state reported 1,827 new cases reported this morning.
Pima County had 4,385 of the state’s 40,924 confirmed cases, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. That’s more than double the 20,123 confirmed cases the state had on June 1.
A total of 1,239 people have died after contracting the virus, including 229 in Pima County.
Maricopa County has more than half the state’s cases, with the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases hitting 22,272.
Because symptoms can take as long as two weeks to appear after exposure to the virus (while some people can remain entirely asymptomatic), health officials continue to urge the public to avoid unnecessary trips and gatherings of more than 10 people, especially if you have underlying health conditions, and have advised people to cover their faces with masks in public.
This is a developing story with newly added reaction from local officials.
This article appears in Jun 11-17, 2020.
I know, let’s ask Police to do even more. Should we defund them first? Some people are so stupid.
Mandate masks your mask protects others as well as you. Police should ticket those who don’t where masks. The public good over rides libertarian concerns similar to shouting fire in a theater.
There is a reason the clich mayor in the original “Jaws” movie is so reviled with his attitude that making money for the community and not alarming the paying public is more important than saving lives.
How many more times will we see this archetype play out during this pandemic, and how many lives will be lost to procrastination as politicians pander to the pretender in the oval office?
So finally!!!!! Ducey comes out from under his bunker and courageously tells his officers in our State (our Mayors) THAT they should do whatever they think is right…so that later when the crazies come around and complain that their first amendment rights have been “stolen” because they have to wear masks…….Ducey can always put the blame on his Mayors. What a guy!!!!! I just hope that when its time to vote for a governor again, all the citizens of this State will recognize what a cowardly, self absorbed fellow we have who occupies the seat that is supposed to be held by a LEADER.
He’s going to start getting postcards written in flip flops soon. But that’s what happens when you listen to the gut feelings of a dunce instead of science..
It is so funny the way you folks demand perfection but somehow forget that Hillary Clinton caused people to get killed and you said nothing. Obviously bias complaints rather than fact based. And you said you trust science. Ha!
D Hansen:
Your idiocy and your thinly veiled love for Hillary Clinton is exposed. Retreat to the recreation area and finish watching the Hallmark movie about Christmas in July. The predictable ending, wrapped up with a tidy bow, will please you.
Well little Mr Crybully I see your comment contains no facts, but simply personal insults. Guess I misunderstood the rules. Game on. Why would Hallmark have that on your cable service and not on mine?
When your comments contain no facts, why would you be a raging hypocrite and expect mine to be any different?
Are you a paid agitator for this publication or an outsider?
D Hansen, no he’s not an agitator; just sentient. Have a nice day.
Who could have seen that coming.
D Hanson is the pot and he’s calling the kettle black.
Such raging hypocrisy, yet I’m the agitator?! Yep, that’s me. I started all that with nonfactual comments involving perfection and Hillary Clinton. S/
Knowing who and what you are is beneficial. Sock-Puppet D Hanson obviously doesn’t know jack shit.