Few people will argue that Gov. Doug Ducey has done an outstanding job in battling the coronavirus in Arizona. Twice, the state has been a global hotspot for the outbreak; he refused to shut down nightclubs (including those owned by the family of his own healthcare advisor) until the disease got so out of control that most public schools had to launch the fall semester remotely; he thinks so little of testing to determine the extent of infections and path of the virus that he wants to stiff Pima County on testing expenses despite getting hundreds of millions of dollars from the federal government to do just that; he totally botched the rollout of the state’s online vaccination registration system; and when he got tired of taking heat from the press in weekly COVID press conferences, he just quit having them.
But Ducey’s latest move may be his most appalling: Telling the federal government that Pima County didn’t need additional vaccination clinics.
Pima County officials have been working with FEMA staff on various vaccination efforts. FEMA and Pima County were in talks to set up vaccination clinics that would provide 6,000 Pfizer shots a day for three weeks, along with a second three-week clinic that would provide second shots and the possibility of a two-week clinic to provide two weeks of Johnson & Johnson shots. All told, that would have provided about 200,000 more vaccinations in Pima County.
But first, FEMA had to run the plan by the state. And that’s when Ducey said no.
Asked about Ducey’s shot-blocking of Pima County last week, Arizona Health Director Cara Christ said too many state resources would be used for the setup—which is laughable on its face, given how Ducey is squirreling away COVID relief dollars so he can once again cut taxes for Arizona’s wealthiest residents.
But let’s say Arizona is just too broke to speed along the vaccination process for Pima County residents. Ducey could have reached out to Pima County officials to find out if they’re willing to foot the bill, but he didn’t bother. (That’s not surprising, given that in his imperious way, Ducey rarely talks to his fellow elected officials when making his COVID decisions.)
Turns out, Pima County is ready to take on those expenses—and yesterday, Pima County Supervisor Sharon Bronson, along with all the local mayors—Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, Marana Mayor Ed Honea, Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield, South Tucson Mayor Bob Teso and Sahaurita Mayor Tom Murphy—all signed a letter asking Ducey to reconsider his decision.
“Pima County is prepared to provide any and all assistance in setting up this POD such that it does not require resources from the state,” they wrote. “In addition, the vaccine supplied by federal policy will not deduct from the state vaccine allocation.”
The local elected leaders said that the POD “potentially provides another 300,000 or more vaccines that would be targeted for our low-income and minority communities. We understand the state has declined to accept the federal offer for a variety of reasons. We would appreciate you reconsidering this position in asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a federal POD in Pima County.”
We can only speculate on why Ducey turned down the FEMA offer. (The resources spin is obviously a dodge, given the state’s strong financial position.) Does he not want the Biden administration to get credit for vaccinating people in Arizona? Does he not care how long this stretches out? Does it somehow distract from his recent efforts to appear to be the big hero of the crisis? Does he just hate Pima County?
Whatever is going on in his head, Ducey should quit acting like an absentee stepdad who needs to be in control of everything on the rare occasions he decides to help out. He needs to approve Pima County’s federal site immediately. The sooner people are vaccinated, the sooner we’ll be past this pandemic. And hey, if he blames it on some underling, Ducey can pretend to be a hero again!
This article appears in Mar 18-24, 2021.
First and foremost, Governor Ducey is a political animal — no offense to animals intended.
In his tiny little world-view and probably in no small part thanks to Republican political whisperers, he may think he has a chance in the 2024 election to trade-up to a federal position.
Granted, his sycophant status has taken a few hits, especially after the 2020 red to blue shift, but Republican elephants actually have short memories and he may be able to convince enough people — with the help of Kelli Ward and spiritual guidance from the Qanon Shaman — that he’s the guy to stop the assault on Republican Values (an oxymoron for morons if there ever was one) and stop “racist” people of color from destroying “white culture” — you know, that old trope.
Governor Ducey has put my health at risk. I received my first shot of Moderna at a FEMA site, the local Fire department, Pima County Health Department, our local Community Center and FEMA. After months searching for the vaccine , this was a blessing. Drove up in my car. It was organized and effiecent. It was different than the Kaos that Ducey set up. Ducey solution wAs for me to drive to Chandler. I am disabled and not able to drive that far. So I called the Governor. It was horrible , the person on the other end of the phone said “lots of luck” with other snotty remarks! So I tried calling the State, Ducey will not allow Pima County help on the phone with the elderly to find shots. I have a date to get my 2nd shot, I live in a rural community! Ducey is abusive, and continue to punish all that live in Pima County, Now he’s opened up to all, another disorganized mess. I have spent hours on the phone. I don’t know if I will get my second shot, and he doesn’t give a crap! He is a bad abusive man!
It took my husband going directly to Pima County after his second shot to get me on board to get vaccinated. I got my first shot the day after that. (I am a heart transplant survivor and am immune-compromised. ) Ducey is a vile, rapacious, vindictive politician. His “Republicanism” comes before the people of his state. At home we call him “The Douchebag”. Fits, doesn’t it?
What a superficial article. The governor set a national example for effective delivery of vaccine, climbing from 47th ranked to as high as 6th.
But, we ran into a roadblock, the federal government was rationing vaccine. We had more capacity to deliver vaccine than we had vaccine.
So, the federal government wants to take from our vaccine allotment to run an inefficient vaccine delivery site?
The governor’s vaccine sites have been the most effective delivery sites in the nation, averaging a vaccine delivery twenty seconds.
No, the governor knows what he is doing.
Apparently the oh-so “Catholic Christian” Ducey gave up Pima County for Lent.
One thing we know: you can’t trust Tucson government to so much as run an lemonade stand. With only 2,450 miles of streets they have 380,000 miles of cracks and crevasses and only 8% of parents rating it an excellent place to raise a child. And, a school district which has lost 17,000 of its customers over the last 20 years.
Would you trust them to run a vaccine site?
The Huppster had proven, with geometric logic that the missing strawberries were caused by African American student’s rising test scores.
Remember this when Ducey runs for Senate. The only time he makes a good decision begrudgingly is when he is shamed in national media repeatedly. Maybe someone should contact David Muir?
Simply to turn down vaccine federal FEMA aid for Pima County without consulting its city’s leaders shows that he does not value his state’s citizens, but his own political agenda.
This is all bullshit! OPEN EVERYTHING UP NOW!!! If the county wants to test more then spend their own money. Masks are crap! The rona is as deadly as the flu but we never shut the world down for it!!! Last thing….Ducey sucks!! Hes only nuttin up now cause he has aspirations to a higher office
Ducey was probably a short little pudgy thing in high school. He got tired of being picked on so now he has power to get his way without running from the bullies. It’s funny how these types become bullies themselves. Recall Captain Bonespurs.