Read on Twitter
Gov. Ducey's #COVID19 update begins in just a few minute. Tune in here:
Big change here: Ducey is wearing a mask https://twitter.com/andrewboxford/status/1273374986917441536
And he's wearing a mask at the presser
Ducey: "We've been working on this issue 24/7."
Will continue to take needed actions to protect public health
Will continue to take needed actions to protect public health
Ducey: People of AZ "have been terrific" and "great partners"
"This is a marathon, it's not a sprint. There is more to do. And there is indication that we are not out of the woods"
"This is a marathon, it's not a sprint. There is more to do. And there is indication that we are not out of the woods"
About 5 weeks ago, Ducey said we were "through the other side" of the pandemic as he lifted the stay-home order https://twitter.com/JimSmall/status/1273376107064987649
Ducey: We've slowed COVID before, will do it again.
Will ensure hospital capacity
"This is highly contagious."
Will ensure hospital capacity
"This is highly contagious."
Ducey: Our approach has been calm and steady. We will take urgent action to protect public health.
Ducey: We've acted later but with a lighter touch, always based on data.
"We will be vigilant, constantly, as this virus is tough and challenging at every front. We will be flexible as necessary to address this. We will be humble as to what can be done to contain this..."
"We will be vigilant, constantly, as this virus is tough and challenging at every front. We will be flexible as necessary to address this. We will be humble as to what can be done to contain this..."
Ducey: Now going through gating criteria from CDC
ASU researchers said today the state has never met them. I'm sure he'll be asked about that. https://www.azmirror.com/2020/06/17/asu-covid-19-team-says-cases-will-double-to-80k-in-a-month/
ASU researchers said today the state has never met them. I'm sure he'll be asked about that. https://www.azmirror.com/2020/06/17/asu-covid-19-team-says-cases-will-double-to-80k-in-a-month/
Ducey: There is a trend, and the trend is headed in the wrong direction
Says "the actions that we will take" are intended to change that trend.
Says "the actions that we will take" are intended to change that trend.
So far, a stark difference in tone from Ducey on COVID.
Last week, he was focused on pushing back on the media narrative that we had a crisis.
Today, he seems to be addressing the actual crisis.
Last week, he was focused on pushing back on the media narrative that we had a crisis.
Today, he seems to be addressing the actual crisis.
This bad chart makes a re-appearance
He still says "slightly flat" for COVID 19 ICU admissions.
It's like a 20% increase though.
He still says "slightly flat" for COVID 19 ICU admissions.
It's like a 20% increase though.
Here's what I wrote last week about that awful and misleading chart https://twitter.com/JimSmall/status/1271206815523418113
Ducey: Testing has doubled since stay home order lifted, up 600% since April 15.
There's been lots of criticism that testing should have been at this level before opening at all
There's been lots of criticism that testing should have been at this level before opening at all
Christ: We want everyone to take the precautions
But should think about how many people you'll have close contact with when you are out of the house
But should think about how many people you'll have close contact with when you are out of the house
Christ: We do know there is still asymptomatic spread
"That's why it's so important that everyone wear a cloth face covering when they are out."
"That's why it's so important that everyone wear a cloth face covering when they are out."
MAJOR difference from last week, when Ducey and Christ only said masks were needed *when you couldn't physically distance*
NOW, they're recommending them all the time in public.
NOW, they're recommending them all the time in public.
Last week from Christ, in case anyone forgot https://twitter.com/JimSmall/status/1271191372750446592
Christ: Still are 21 long term care facilities testing residents and staff
Christ: ADHS is monitoring hospitals to ensure they are meeting EO requirements to perform elective surgeries
Ducey: We know that COVID19 is widespread in our community
"They really are the biggest difference makers we have to slow this spread and contain it"
-- especially masks
-- especially masks
Ducey: Study last week "brought more urgency" to expanding mask use throughout the state
Ducey: You are most safe at home. If you can't stay home.
If you do go out, wear a mask. It's the smart thing to do.
If you do go out, wear a mask. It's the smart thing to do.
Cannot emphasize enough how BIG of a departure this is from 6 days ago https://twitter.com/JimSmall/status/1273380361104273408
Ducey: Problems in border counties. 31% positivity in Santa Cruz, 20% in Yuma county
Ducey: Local governments have asked for authority to mandate masks
Ducey: I've focused on a statewide approach where possible.
We recommend that all Arizonans where a face mask whenever you cannot socially distance.
Changing guidance to allow local governments to require AND enforce mask use in public
We recommend that all Arizonans where a face mask whenever you cannot socially distance.
Changing guidance to allow local governments to require AND enforce mask use in public
Ducey: Letting locals do it allows us to tailor the response to individual communities.
I guess the government closest to the people is most responsive? Or something?
I guess the government closest to the people is most responsive? Or something?
BREAKING NEWS if you missed it: Ducey is allowing cities to mandate mask use AND enforce the rule against those who don't https://twitter.com/JimSmall/status/1273381045610491904
Ducey: ADHS is updating guidance to protect workers, patrons of establishments
"If they don't, there will be enforcement"
"If they don't, there will be enforcement"
Ducey: New recommendations will require stricter distancing, caps on capacity in businesses
Ducey: Haven't spoken much about containment with contact tracing
Will contain new infections and slow spread
Will contain new infections and slow spread
Ducey: Will also call in National Guard to "surge" on contact tracing.
@RepGregStanton suggested this earlier today
@RepGregStanton suggested this earlier today
Ducey: "just recently, I know a lot of people who have contracted this."
He said they contracted it at graduation parties, in private homes
He said they contracted it at graduation parties, in private homes
Ducey: State providing resources to counties for contact tracing
Ducey: Have learned that COVID 19 is especially dangerous in high-risk settings.
$10M to long term care facilities for PPE and testing
$10M to long term care facilities for PPE and testing
Ducey: "We hope to not need this hospital capacity"
ASIDE: Add Phoenix to cities that will look to require masks in public https://twitter.com/MayorGallego/status/1273381237676097536
Here's the newest recommendations
Ducey: "Serious changes are needed to be made, and there will be enforcement around those changes."
Ducey: COVID 19 is widespread in the state of Arizona, and Arizonans must act responsibly to protect one another
Q from @azcapmedia: Pooh-poohed masks last week. What changed in 6 days?
A: You're putting words in my mouth and reading my mind.
A: You're putting words in my mouth and reading my mind.
A: If your perception was that I was pooh-poohing it, that was not the case.
Wants to see all Arizonans wear masks
Wants to see all Arizonans wear masks
A: Grateful for the "flexibility" of the White House gating criteria
Now he's giving that flexibility to mayors
Now he's giving that flexibility to mayors
Q from @azcapmedia: What changed though?
A: Some decisions need to be statewide, but this one could be done locally
"A directive or a mandate is only as good as the compliance that you have"
A: Some decisions need to be statewide, but this one could be done locally
"A directive or a mandate is only as good as the compliance that you have"
(Ducey is now making a strong case for local control)
Ducey: Mayor and counties can decide requirements and enforcement
"We want to bend those numbers in a downward trajectory."
"We want to bend those numbers in a downward trajectory."
Q from @jeremyduda: Why not implement these things when stay-home order was lifted so it's not a bad situation now?
A: Decided based on data. "We haven't guessed, we haven't speculated on what was happening"
A: Decided based on data. "We haven't guessed, we haven't speculated on what was happening"
A: What we're seeing today concerns us, and that's why we're adjusting.
Hindsight is always 20/20
Hindsight is always 20/20
A: Enforcement "will be a question for the mayors"
When you do put a mandate out there, what's important is the maximum possible level of compliance, and where needed, enforcement
When you do put a mandate out there, what's important is the maximum possible level of compliance, and where needed, enforcement
Q from @brahmresnik: Why not impose statewide mandate for masks?
A: Sometimes, statewide works very well
On other things, if you do this and don't have maximum compliance... it's a self-defeating executive order
A: Sometimes, statewide works very well
On other things, if you do this and don't have maximum compliance... it's a self-defeating executive order
Not for nothing, but this is a great argument for why the statewide curfew wasn't necessary this month https://twitter.com/JimSmall/status/1273386107019816961
Q: Trump coming to town, attracting thousands. What is being done?
A: Other locations having protocol around sanitizer and masks handed out and temp checks
A: Other locations having protocol around sanitizer and masks handed out and temp checks
A: Know that outdoors is better than indoors
Then need facilities with ventilation if can't do it outside
Then need facilities with ventilation if can't do it outside
A: People will voluntarily make the decision.
We're going to protect people's rights to assemble in an election year.
We're going to protect people's rights to assemble in an election year.
Q: Plans to allow people to visit people in long term care facilities?
A: (Christ) Have been very careful to protect this population. Holding off on implementing visitation
A: (Christ) Have been very careful to protect this population. Holding off on implementing visitation
Q from @NicoleSGrigg: Why not enact mitigation sooner to prevent hospitalization?
A: Stay-home order was to give hospitals time to build up capacity
A: Stay-home order was to give hospitals time to build up capacity
