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Governor Ducey announces new restrictions on coronaviruses amid spike in cases
The new measures include the free coronavirus vaccine for Arizonans, as well as other measures to encourage al fresco dining.
PHOENIX – Arizona Governor Doug Ducey held another press conference on Dec. 2 on the COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona, as the latest wave of new cases in the state continues.
According to the information Released by state health officials on Dec. 2, Arizona recorded an increase of 3,840 confirmed cases and 52 deaths, bringing the state’s total to 340,979 cases and 6,739 deaths.
Meanwhile, COVID-19-related hospitalizations reached 2,699 on December 1, up more than 100 from November 30, and included 642 patients in intensive care unit beds. COVID-19 hospitalizations in Arizona peaked at around 3,500 during the state’s summer wave.
Here are some of the takeaways from the press conference:
1. Arizonans will receive free COVID-19 vaccines
During the press conference. Governor Ducey spoke about the COVID-19 vaccine, where he said Arizona is expected to receive the first doses of the vaccine in mid-December.
In addition, Governor Ducey said he had issued an executive order that will allow all Arizonans to receive a COVID-19 vaccine free of charge and that teachers will be a priority group to receive the vaccine, alongside health workers and practitioners. first responders. .
“We want our schools to be open and our teachers protected,” Ducey said of vaccinated teachers, adding, “We know that teachers desperately want to get into their classrooms, safe. We know teachers are essential, so as part of our plan they will be. prioritized. “
Joe Thomas, a Mesa teacher and president of the Arizona Education Association, says it’s good news, but there’s a big picture.
“We need our students and their parents to be vaccinated. A school is only as safe as the community it is in and until everyone has a chance to get vaccinated, get hold of them, and remove this virus, we’re not going. truly not. to have safe schools, ”said Tomas.
He is not sure how many teachers will oppose the vaccine, adding that there are a number of reasons schools do not have enough staff during the pandemic as some schools have closed their schools. doors due to a large number of teachers calling sick. .
Governor Ducey said taxpayers’ money would not be used to pay for vaccines and the state was working with insurers to implement the new decree.
2. Increased funding for hospitals
Governor Ducey, at the press conference, also announced additional funding of $ 60 million to hospitals for staffing purposes.
“With the funding, ADHS is working to secure an additional 500 nurses until the end of the month, with additional staff to last through January,” read a statement issued by the governor’s office. “The increased workforce will provide critical nursing resources to hospitals across the state amid the outbreak of COVID-19 patients.”
Funding for staffing will come from the Coronavirus Relief Fund which was created under the federal CARES Act and will come in addition to the $ 25 million already announced to help hospitals meet staffing needs.
3. Expansion of outdoor catering, announcement of public events
At the same press conference, Governor Ducey announced that local jurisdictions are to announce major public events involving more than 50 people, as well as detail the disease mitigation strategies that will be deployed.
Additionally, Governor Ducey said restaurants would be allowed to create outdoor dining without a permit. In an executive order on al fresco dining, Governor Ducey ordered the Arizona Department of Liquor Control and Licensing to accept and review applications from liquor licensees seeking to temporarily expand their premises outside, in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and that such extensions may not exceed 60 feet from the restaurant.
4. No mandatory mask warrant, curfews or closures announced.
Despite calls for the implementation of a statewide mask mandate, Governor Ducey made no such announcement at a press conference on COVID-19 in November. Governor Ducey once again stopped before announcing a mask warrant at the press conference, and he also did not announce a closure or curfew.
“I think we should instead focus on accountability and enforcement of the rules we have in place now,” Governor Ducey said at the start of the press conference.
During the press conference, Governor Ducey also offered his condolences to the families of those who had lost loved ones to COVID-19, and reiterated the need for Arizonans to wear masks, wash their faces. hands and maintain social distancing measures.
Governor Ducey holds press conference on ongoing coronavirus pandemic
The press conference took place amid a new wave of COVID cases across Arizona.
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Symptoms of covid19
Symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. These, of course, are similar to the common cold and the flu.
Expect a cold to start with a sore or itchy throat, cough, runny nose, and / or stuffy nose. Flu symptoms are more intense and usually appear suddenly and may include a high fever.
Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear more slowly. They usually include fever, a dry cough, and noticeable shortness of breath, according to the World Health Organization. A minority of cases develop pneumonia, and the disease is of particular concern to the elderly and those with other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or heart problems.
RELATED: Is It The Flu, A Cold, Or COVID-19? Different viruses have similar symptoms
COVID-19 Resources
Why Social Distancing Can Save Lives Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Social distancing is not just about preventing the disease itself, but rather slowing the rate at which people get sick. & Nbsp;
CDC website for COVID-19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
https://espanol.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html (in Spanish / in Spanish)
AZDHS website for COVID-19
https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease-epidemiology/index.php#novel-coronavirus-home
https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease-epidemiology/es/covid-19/index.php#novel-coronavirus-home (In Spanish / In Spanish)
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