According to the governor’s aides, Ducey received a “some very compelling letters” from over 700 medical professionals, as well as officials in the state’s four border counties, asking him to take steps like requiring masks in public to slow a major increase in new coronavirus cases that has made the state a national hot spot.
“Life as we once knew it has to change indefinitely,” reads one of the open letters, per AZfamily.com, “To ensure the safety of fellow community members, to protect the most fragile of our population, and to reduce the strain on our healthcare system,” people must be required to wear masks.
You can read An Open Letter to the Citizens of Arizona and our Governing Leaders, dated 06/14/2020, HERE.
Arizona governor backtracks on mask rules as Covid-19 cases surge | US news | The Guardian June 17, 2020
Ducey’s announcement also comes on the same day that Tucson Mayor Regina Romero announced she plans to require masks with or without the governor’s blessing.
Less than a week ago, Ducey rejected a request that local governments be allowed to exert control on issues of public health. At the time, he had argued the state needs a standard and uniform policy, and one that does not require masks.
“We have all been tirelessly advocating that our residents adhere to the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, including the washing of hands, avoiding close contact, and wearing of face masks around others,” the officials wrote in the open letter to Ducey. They said the most significant of those is the use of face masks in public, which the governor has refused to mandate and they cannot require themselves.
Protect yourself.
Protect others.
Help contain the spread of #COVID19.
Wear a mask. #MaskUpAZ pic.twitter.com/jtWuZmyiqF
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) June 17, 2020
“The reality is that since the state relaxed the stay-at-home executive order, many residents have interpreted this to mean that the danger is over,” they wrote, according to Tucson.com.
The numbers behind the coronavirus surge in Arizona are very worrisome. The state’s Health Services Department reported a record number of emergency room visits for the virus as well. The health agency also confirmed 1,827 new cases and 20 new deaths Wednesday. That brings the total confirmed cases to 40,924 and deaths to 1,239, reports the Associated Press.
As of just a few minutes ago, CNN reported that the Trump reelection campaign will not be enforcing social distancing or require people to wear masks.
