Arizona COVID-19 cumulative counts, Dec. 14
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Select regional coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak as of Wednesday, April 1. For more coverage, visit our resource page. This story may be updated.
TUSD supe: School closures 'the right call'
AZPM, April 1
Gabriel Trujillo, superintendent of Tucson Unified School District, said the decision to keep Arizona's schools closed through the end of the academic year brought a sense of finality and certainty to his 8,000 employees.
"The decision I think addresses the very human aspect of a community in fear," said Trujillo. "I know that my workforce is not the only one that is really scared of this virus that is everywhere and yet nowhere, in the sense that it can come for anybody at anytime."
As the district transitions rapidly to remote learning for its 44,000 students, Trujillo said the immediate crisis is addressing the digital divide.
Arizona governor requests Trump make disaster declaration
AP, April 1
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona's governor is asking President Donald Trump to issue a major disaster declaration for the state as it braces for a surge of coronavirus cases.
Gov. Doug Ducey said Wednesday the move is needed to trigger higher federal aid and resources. A declaration would add funding for more mental health care, unemployment and food assistance and other state efforts.
Ducey is also urging understanding as people and small businesses face due dates for bills like mortgages, rent and utilities. Arizona has reported more than 1,400 coronavirus cases and 29 deaths.
Uncertainty for DACA recipients amid pandemic
AZPM, April 1
The coronavirus has created a lot of uncertainty for Arizonans. That’s especially true for young immigrants who are recipients of the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA.
If you’re out of a job in Arizona right now, for example, you might consider applying for unemployment. But for DACA recipients like Jose Patiño, that option wasn't available in the past. And the law behind it is confusing.
“There is not a clearly defined definition of whether someone has a work permit like DACA recipients would be eligible for work permits,” said, Patiño, who is also the education and advocacy director at Mesa aid group Aliento.
Arizona governor urges understanding as bills come due
AP, April 1
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is urging Arizonans to be understanding and reasonable as people and businesses face April 1 due dates for bills such as mortgages, rent, utilities and internet service.
Ducey on Wednesday posted on Twitter that “the world has changed since March 1" and that bills previously paid routinely are now a struggle for many people and small businesses. Ducey said he expects that no family, individual or business should face eviction or lose critical services because of hardships caused by the coronavirus.
Arizona on Wednesday reported 1,413 coronavirus cases and 29 deaths, up from 1,289 cases and 24 deaths on Tuesday.
Census Day arrives with US almost paralyzed by coronavirus
AP, April 1
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Census Day arrives Wednesday with a nation almost paralyzed by the spread of the novel coronavirus. April 1 is the date used to reference where a person lives for the once-a-decade count.
The virus's spread has forced the U.S. Census Bureau to suspend field operations for a month, from mid-March to mid-April. That's when the hiring process would be ramping up for tens of thousands of temporary census takers.
It also has delayed the start of counts for the homeless and people living in group quarters and has pushed back the deadline for wrapping up the head count to mid-August.
Why health experts aren't warning about coronavirus in food
AP, April 1
NEW YORK (AP) — Health experts say there's no evidence the new coronavirus is spread through food. That's because organisms take different biological paths to sicken people.
Germs like E. coli have to be strong enough to survive stomach acids and attach to cells in digestive tracts. Respiratory viruses like COVID-19 generally attach to cells in the respiratory tract. And experts say the main way the virus spreads is through person-to-person contact and air droplets from coughing, sneezing and other flying saliva.
Experts note the virus is new and still being studied, but that there's no evidence yet to indicate it spreads through food.
Grand Canyon National Park closes to visitors amid pandemic
AP, April 1
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Grand Canyon National Park has closed indefinitely to visitors, joining other national parks seeking to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The park made the announcement Wednesday. Staff at the Grand Canyon had been shutting down visitors services piecemeal as the federal government initially rebuffed the park's request to shutter completely. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said he finally approved the park's request at the recommendation of a local health official.
Grand Canyon spokeswoman Joelle Baird said the closure is a relief to a lot of people in the park and to community members. The park said this week that a resident who worked at a lodge tested positive for COVID-19.
Plan temporarily suspends Arizona evictions and foreclosures, governor says
AZPM, March 31
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey this week announced he has worked out a plan with banks to help reduce foreclosures and evictions amid the financial pressure brought by the coronavirus pandemic.
The outbreak of COVID-19 caused a huge jump in unemployment claims in Arizona. From March 21 to March 28, claims increased by 59,259, according to the Department of Economic Security
The spike in people out of work would also lead to an increase in the number of people who cannot pay their rent or mortgage.
Ducey's agreement with banks would delay evictions for a period of time.
“Under the agreement, banks are suspending evictions and foreclosures for at least the next 60 days with the potential to extend that period for the duration of the state’s emergency declaration,” Ducey said.
Tohono O'odham Nation issues order to stem spread of coronavirus
AZPM, March 31
The Tohono O’odham Nation announced several ways it hopes to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including a stay-at-home order, a curfew and a partial ban of those wanting to enter the Nation.
Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris Jr. signed an executive order, Monday, March 30 that requires residents in the Nation to stay at home unless the person performs an essential role for the districts, the tribal government, or a branch of the Nation. People can leave their homes to seek safety, food or health care, and to go outside. The order does require everyone to enforce a 6-foot boundary with others no matter the activity.
The tribal government also issued a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew for its residents that will start Tuesday, March 31.
Mexico declares state of emergency amid pandemic
Fronteras Desk, March 31
MEXICO CITY — In Mexico, the COVID-19 pandemic curve is growing exponentially, with more than 1,000 cases. As a result, the government is declaring a state of emergency.
The government is extending the stay at home recommendation until April 30, insisting on hygiene and personal distancing.
It was Mexican Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, and not the president, who announced the health emergency.
The secretary said businesses with nonessential activities have to implement home office programs or suspend their activities. Ebrard said businesses are required to continue paying their workers or, otherwise, will be sanctioned.
According to federal authorities, there will be no mandatory curfews and no moratorium on tax collections.
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