By L. Parsons Arizona Governor Doug Ducey held a press conference on Monday, June 29, and issued a new executive order that re-closes bars, gyms, theaters, water parks and water tubing for at least 30 days. He also delayed the opening of Arizona schools until Aug. 17, explaining that online learning can begin before that but there will be no in-person attendance until at least that date. Bars that are affected will be those that hold a series six or seven liquor license whose primary business is the distribution of beer or liquor. Also “paused,” as Ducey put it, are any surgeries that are not essential, lifesaving procedures. Enforcement of the executive order will be the responsibility of local health departments and liquor license agents. Ducey said, “Our numbers are still rising. We are moving in the wrong direction.” His decision to close bars specifically was made in response to the positive cases of COVID-19 in a younger demographic than before. “The age breakdown is changing,” he said. “Before, we were worried about older people, now we are seeing an increase in cases in young people aged 20 to 44. We need to stop these large social gatherings.” Churches and peaceful assembly will not be affected by the order that also restricts public gatherings of 50 or more people. The U.S. Constitution protects the rights of citizens to gather for those purposes. Ducey also emphasized the importance of wearing a mask. He said, “We have to slow this virus, it is dangerous, and it is contagious. Wear a mask. This is about personal responsibility and we need you to hold yourselves accountable. In regards to our corrections system, we have made sure that all of our Department of Corrections inmates and staff have access to masks and when the inmates are released, we are issuing them two masks to take with them.” Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ joined Ducey at the press conference. She said, “We are working with our partners to develop convalescent treatments for COVID-19. We are asking those who have tested positive for antibodies to donate blood and plasma to assist in that.” She explained that Arizona hospitals were told to fully activate their emergency plans. Also discussed was the Crisis Standards of Care, a set of rarely used guidelines that give hospitals more freedom to decide who gets treated. In the 14-page COVID-19 amendment to the document, it says, “If resources are sufficient, all patients who can potentially benefit from therapies will be offered therapies. If resources are insufficient, all patients will be individually assessed.” That assessment will determine the process of treatment for COVID as well as non-COVID patients. Christ said, “A lot of states actually have activated their crisis standards of care plans.” The plan also states, “It is imperative to know whether aggressive interventions such as hospitalization, ICU admission or mechanical ventilation are consistent with a patient’s preferences. All hospitalized patients should be asked about advance care planning documents, goals of care and are strongly encouraged to appoint a proxy decision maker.” Ducey explained that the increased number of positive cases in Arizona are not only a reflection of further tests, but also an obvious uptick in COVID-like symptoms. “Our numbers are up; our hospitalizations are up. We can’t let up. It will take several weeks to see the effects of actions we are taking today, now is not the time to let up.” The team encouraged people to stay at home when possible to help slow the spread. Ducey concluded, “You are safer at home.”
