Arizona COVID-19 cumulative counts, Dec. 14
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Select regional and national coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic as of Tuesday, May 12. For more coverage, visit our resource page. This story may be updated.
Ducey: Stay-at-home order expires Friday
AZPM, May 12
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey continued down the path of reopening the state by setting Friday as the day his stay-at-home order expires.
The governor also named a few more dates for the reopening of other venues. Pools and gyms can open Wednesday, May 13, and major league sports can return, without fans, on May 15. All need to follow CDC guidelines and public health protection measures.
In a Tuesday media update the governor and state health director framed the decision by touting Arizona's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, citing what they say are downward trends in influenza- and COVID-like symptoms as well as the percentage of positive cases to tests.
Some restaurants reopen, others say it's 'too soon'
AZPM, May 12
Some Tucson restaurants opened their doors for on-site dining for the first time in weeks Monday, but others chose to stay closed in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Last week Gov. Doug Ducey lifted his closure order against restaurant dining rooms effective Monday, allowing them to open if they follow social-distancing guidelines. Many opened their doors, but many others stayed closed, such as the Tucson Hop Shop, owned by Jessie Jean.
Hundreds of business owners signed a statement called "Too Soon Arizona."
Problems with unemployment mean some Arizonans miss checks
AZPM, May 12
Many unemployment checks that arrived Monday in Arizona were missing the federal bonus of $600 provide by the CARES Act.
The Arizona Department of Economic Security released a statement about the smaller checks.
“DES is aware that there are claimants who filed weekly certifications recently that did not receive the additional $600 weekly Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation payment benefit. We sincerely apologize and are working to correct this as quickly as possible,” said a statement sent to the media.
Officials with the state gave no reason for the problem, nor did they say how many people were affected by the smaller checks.
Navajo Nation No. 1 in U.S. coronavirus infection rate
Fronteras Desk, May 12
If the Navajo Nation were a state, it would have the highest rate of coronavirus cases per capita in the country. There are more than 3,204 cases on the Navajo Nation and more than a hundred people have died.
Numbers are rapidly growing on the Navajo Nation because President Jonathan Nez says they are testing aggressively.
Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf to visit Arizona, California
AZPM, May 12
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf is visiting sites along the Arizona border Tuesday and touring Customs and Border Protection facilities in the state.
A press release from the department said Wolf would take part in an aerial tour of the border wall to see its progress before heading to the U.S. Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector headquarters. The secretary is also scheduled to visit a port of entry in Nogales.
A Border Patrol spokesperson said Wolf will address the media in Tucson and discuss border infrastructure and the agency’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Arizona casinos to reopen with new sanitation measures
AP, May 12
PHOENIX (AP) — Several casinos have announced plans to reopen as early as this week after about two months of closures because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Many expect to implement new sanitation measures. Fort McDowell Casino near Fountain Hills, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel and Casino in Maricopa, Lone Butte in Chandler, Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, and Vee Quiva in Laveen are all scheduled to reopen Friday. That's the same day the statewide stay-at-home order is set to expire.
Health officials on Tuesday reported 20 additional COVID-19 deaths, raising the state’s reported total to at least 562.
Fauci warns of 'suffering and death' if US reopens too soon
AP, May 12
WASHINGTON (AP) — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, is warning Congress and the nation of what he calls "really serious” consequences of suffering, death and deeper economic damage if state and local officials lift stay-at-home orders too quickly.
His warning on Tuesday came even as President Donald Trump pushes states to ease restrictions as soon as it is safe to right a free-falling economy. Underscoring the seriousness of the nation's situation, Fauci and other health experts testified by videoconference from their homes. Committee chairman Lamar Alexander chaired the hearing from his cabin in Tennessee.
Pelosi unveils $3T virus bill, warns inaction costs more
AP, May 12
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has unveiled a more than $3 trillion new coronavirus aid package.
It would provide nearly $1 trillion for states, cities and tribal governments to avert layoffs and another $200 billion in “hazard pay” for essential workers. It would offer $1,200 in direct cash aid to individuals, up to $6,000 per household. It would also extend unemployment benefits, and there would be $75 billion more for virus testing.
A House vote is expected Friday. But the Senate's Republican leader is cautioning his colleagues not to go so fast. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says there is no “urgency” to act immediately.
Sonoran governor unveils business reopening plan
Fronteras Desk, May 11
HERMOSILLO — The governor of Arizona’s southern neighbor Sonora has put forward a plan to allow businesses to slowly reopen.
On Friday, roughly a month-and-a-half after ordering all nonessential businesses closed, Gov. Claudia Pavlovich told the people of her state that during the pandemic, there is no such thing as a perfect plan.
“But we have a plan that balances health and the economy,” she said of the staggered reopening plan.
It will go into effect sometime between May 16 and 22, but only if certain conditions are met.
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