The novel Coronavirus continues to run rampant across the United States and across the state of Arizona. Today, when I looked at the Arizona Department of Health Services website I saw that the number of confirmed cases in Arizona is now 1157, with 20 deaths. That’s 238 more new confirmed cases than yesterday. Remember, the state is adding hundreds of cases per day– despite low diagnostic testing rates. You can check Arizona’s progress in the struggle against the Coronavirus here.
Last week, House Minority Leader Charlene Fernandez sent a letter to Governor Doug Ducey asking him to call for a statewide stay at home order, as several mayors have done, including Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. It’s time for action.
I realized today that 27 days ago, when Arizona Department of Health Services director Dr. Cara Christ gave House and Senate Democrats an update, she reported only two cases of novel coronavirus in the state. In just 27 days, Arizona has gone from two cases to 1157 cases, in an environment of inadequate testing.
If we don’t stem the tide of the virus, our already strapped healthcare system will become overwhelmed.
It’s time for Ducey to announce a statewide stay at home order. These drastic measures have helped stem the virus outbreak in places like Silicon Valley. It’s time to stay home, stay safe, and stay healthy. We are the interconnected web of life. We can do this, but we have to work together.