NOTE: Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey held a press conference Thursday afternoon to say the state has enough hospital beds to accommodate the rising number of reported Covid-19 cases. His comments were in response to one of the state’s health systems saying last week that they would hit capacity if the numbers continued to rise. Ducey added that he supports the public wearing face masks when it is not possible to social distance. Even though he has been seen in public doing neither when both were possible.
The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Arizona is climbing, and there’s no indication the governor will issue another stay-at-home order to help slow the spread.
Not that I’m surprised.
This is a conservative governor.
A businessman.
If the coronavirus is hurting their bottom line, Gov. Doug Ducey is not about to make it worse for businesses by closing the economy again.
But that doesn’t mean the citizens of Arizona, or any other state that has an open economy, cannot issue their own stay-at-home orders.
And by that I mean, citizens can choose to limit the time they spend in public.
I’ve been social distancing since March 13, the day after my employer sent me home with my laptop.
I only leave the house for essential reasons. When I do leave, I wear a mask and take the safety precautions set forth by the Center for Disease Control.
I spent Mother’s Day visiting with my parents on their front porch for 15 minutes while wearing a mask. Last week, I helped my parents clean their house all while wearing a mask and keeping a safe distance.
Do I like it? Of course not. But if it saves my life and the lives of my loved ones, I’ll do it. And I’ll keep doing it.
Just because the economy is open doesn’t mean I should shop for groceries in person, meet friends for lunch, book a trip to Vegas, and have the family over for a cookout.
No, I have a brain.
I can read the numbers.
I can think for myself and take responsibility for myself.
If I want to limit my time in public, I’ll limit my time in public. My life cannot wait for the governor to put restrictions in place to help slow the spread.
Heck, Ducey doesn’t even wear a mask in public. You would’t know there was a pandemic if you saw him.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been a true leader in this regard, closing the Empire State until its numbers peaked.
Ducey, on the other hand, followed President Trump’s lead early on and issued stay-at-home orders for non-essential businesses.
But businesses suffered. People lost their jobs. Citizens showed up at the state Capitol to protest the order and demand Ducey reopen the economy, which he has done in phases, with the numbers to prove it.
As of this writing, Arizona has over 29,000 confirmed cases with 1,000-plus reported deaths, according to the state’s Department of Health Services. The health director followed it up by telling hospitals to activate their emergency plans.
Ducey should have extended the stay-at-home order until Arizona reported a steady decline in numbers. At least it would have been worth closing the economy.
But to close the state for a month or so, I am not sure what was accomplished. And now that he’s let the order expire, there’s no going back.
People don’t want to be told they cannot leave their homes. Even if it’s for the greater good. Businesses don’t want to be told to close their doors. Heck, not everyone’s convinced there’s even a problem.
The media have calls into the governor’s office asking about a stay-at-home order. And I get why. With people running around town without protection, we’re all at risk.
That’s why I continue to stay at home as much as possible, wear a mask in public, and practice social-distancing.
The governor, on the other hand, has been silent. Even if he chooses to keep the economy open, he still should address the good people of this state and make his case. At least then I could respect him for owning his decision.
Designing Goldilocks 