COVID-19 in Arizona, July 2 — Cases: 87,425 | Deaths: 1,757 | Tests: 735,496
The state reported 3,333 more cases and 37 more deaths today, down from the previous day's sobering records of 4,878 new confirmed cases and 88 new deaths. In-patient hospitalizations continued their rise, however, nearing the 3,000 mark.
Health care workers suffer 'emotional exhaustion' amid coronavirus surge
AZPM
Gov. Doug Ducey and other public officials routinely talk about the pandemic and our ability to respond to it in terms of equipment — the number hospital beds and personal protective equipment.
But as the pandemic drags into its fifth unrelenting month, another resource is getting strained: health care workers. The people operating ventilators and tending to those in hospital beds are bearing an outsize share of the emotional and psychological burden of the pandemic.
Mental health was already a problem for health care workers. Doctors die by suicide at double the rate of the U.S. population, according to the American Psychiatric Association.
Some health care professionals have started a program to help doctors, nurses — even janitors — find housing if they want to physically distance from their loved ones. They also get mental health support.
Two dozen health clubs disobey Arizona’s gym closure order
AP
PHOENIX — Two dozen health clubs in metro Phoenix are defying Gov. Doug Ducey’s order to close gyms for 30 days as Arizona faces a huge spike in coronavirus cases.
The disobedience raises questions about whether officials who have been criticized for responding indecisively to the pandemic will be effective in closing the clubs. Operators of two health club chains that have refused to close say Ducey is singling out their industry. One chain has received two misdemeanor citations, while another had liquor licenses at two locations suspended. Still, both chains continue operating.
Ducey spokesman Patrick Ptak vowed other enforcement actions will be taken against violators.
Flood warning for Bighorn Fire area
AZPM
The arrival of rain brings welcome relief for crews fighting the Bighorn Fire in the Santa Catalina mountains, but the precipitation could also bring danger in the form of flash floods.
The area burned by the fire, known as the burn scar, is more susceptible to flooding because the plants that usually stop that from happening are burned. A fire can also cause the soil to harden, essentially rendering it water resistant, so it sheds rainfall instead of absorbing it.
A flash flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Tucson until 8 p.m. Thursday night for the CDO Wash east of Oracle Road, the Catalina Foothills, and Sabino Canyon.
The warning says residents should be aware of “life-threatening” runoff and debris flows from the fire.
Bighorn Fire at 58% containment
Arizona Daily Star
Crews had moved into the "mop-up" stage with the lightning caused Bighorn Fire Thursday, which was 58% contained.
The wildfire, which had triggered a number of evacuations and near evacuations in the month it has burned, had expanded to an area of approximately 185 square miles, and crews expected lower temperatures and wind to help efforts on Thursday.
Learn more at Tucson.com.
Arizona earmarks $9 million in virus funds for election
AP
PHOENIX — Arizona is allocating $9 million to protect voters and poll workers from the coronavirus in the upcoming election.
Gov. Doug Ducey and Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said Thursday the money will be used to hire staff, increase curbside and early voting options, add ballot drop boxes and buy protective equipment. About $1.5 million will pay for an advertising campaign to inform voters about their options.
Arizona voters overwhelmingly cast their ballots by mail already, and Hobbs says that's the safest method. The money comes from the state's share of federal coronavirus relief funding.
UA police seek culprit behind racist stickers around campus
AP
The University of Arizona is investigating the appearance of racist stickers around campus that advocate white supremacy.
UA police say the stickers with hate messages were first reported on Tuesday. They have been spotted on utility poles, buildings and other exteriors. Initially someone reported finding two but then officers found three others.
Issaiah Johnson, a member of the UA football team who is black, posted a picture of one of the stickers Wednesday on his Twitter account. The sticker states “#whitelivesmatter” and to “kill a black on sight.” According to police, a special investigations unit is focused on the case.
Border wall workers come down with COVID-19
Fronteras Desk
Nearly a dozen people working on President Donald Trump’s border wall in Arizona have been infected with the coronavirus.
The cases were first noticed by county health officials in south-central Arizona last month. There’s been 11 diagnosed so far. All are contractors or employees of contractors working for the Kiewit Infrastructure West Company, which has been rewarded a significant share of border wall contracts for the Trump administration.
Judge deals setback to key Trump policy limiting asylum
AP
SAN DIEGO — A federal judge has knocked down a cornerstone border policy of the Trump administration that denies asylum to people who travel through another country to reach the Mexico border without first seeking protection in that country.
Judge Timothy Kelly says authorities violated federal rule-making procedures by not seeking public feedback before putting the policy into effect in July 2019. The immediate impact of the judge's ruling on Tuesday is diminished by a coronavirus pandemic-related measure to quickly expel people who cross the border illegally and block asylum-seekers at official crossings.
Immigration judges in lawsuit say US government muzzles them
AP
Immigration judges say they are being muzzled by the Trump administration and the union that represents them is suing the U.S. Department of Justice.
The lawsuit filed Wednesday is the latest confrontation between the judges and the Justice Department, which oversees U.S. immigration courts. The union's president says past administrations have allowed judges to speak publicly in their personal capacity to educate the public about the immigration court system.
Judge A. Ashley Tabaddor says the new policy prohibits them from talking publicly about the courts or immigration and the lawsuit is seeking to block the policy. A Justice Department official said they don't comment on pending litigation.
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