Arizona's COVID-19 spread is 'alarming' and action is needed, experts warn

[TomCADem]

Source: MSN

PHOENIX – Experts around the country and in Arizona are raising alarms about the state's COVID-19 situation because cases and hospitalizations have increased for the past two weeks.

The increase in cases can't solely be attributed to increased testing in Arizona, experts say. Instead, it looks like the state is trending upward in a way that is concerning and could need another stay-at-home order to curb the spread.

"I would go so far as to say alarming," said Dr. William Hanage, an epidemiology professor at Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "The only sort of crumb of comfort that I can find is that I think, in general, it's sort of easier to social distance in Arizona than it is in some places."

If trajectory continues, state 'may need to gear up for increasing action' Arizona's largest hospital system warned over the past week that its intensive care units are filling up, ventilator use was on the rise and capacity was reached for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatment.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/arizonas-covid-19-spread-is-alarming-and-action-is-needed-experts-warn/ar-BB15ilr2?li=BBnb7Kz

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If the situation worsens, the typical Republican move might be to blame the health care professionals and accelerate plans to re-open. Heck, lets rescind the mask guidelines, because that is tyranny.

[mr_lebowski]

1. That crumb of comfort is true ... it's easy to social distance here ...

As an example, outside of downtown Phoenix or Scottsdale, I've never 'waited for a parking space' in the 12+ years I've been here. Parking lots are ALWAYS way overbuilt aside from the very densest areas. Most stores are large inside, etc.

[ChazII]

3. I hope I am only having a bad

allergy season. These past three nights Phoenix and the valley has been cool and in the low 70's. I opened my windows to take advantage of the cool air. This morning a woke up with a splitting headache a little after 3 in the morning. I felt nauseous and threw up mucus several times. It felt like I had a belt around my chest. Luckily, my temperature has been in the 97.something which is normal for me. That being said I learned on Monday that I do have a friend who tested positive for the COVID19 virus. I am isolating myself for the next two weeks to be on the safe side. I do have a friend who is going to make a grocery store run for some fruit and veggies. My mother's ashes were to be placed with Dad's tomorrow at the Veteran's Cemetery but I called and cancelled.

Many folks are still wearing masks in my part of Scottsdale which is the south side.

[Evolve Dammit]

4. Hope you're going to be OK. Take care.

[Squinch]

6. Do you have a pulse oximeter, or can you get your hands on one?

With Covid, apparently your pulse oxygen goes down without you feeling any symptoms, so you want to monitor it.

I would go and get checked.

Feel better, and let us know how you fare.

[relayerbob]

10. Order one online

They aren't particularly expensive

[ChazII]

11. I have my cousin who lives at my house.

He can get one for me. Right now besides making extra precautions of wiping the refrigerator door handle, door knobs, etc... I stay in the master bedroom. Starting today we did not eat breakfast or any meal together. He prepared his meals and then I will prepare mine.

Thank you everyone for your positive thoughts, vibes and prayers. When I took my temperature an hour ago it was 97.6 which is my normal.


Edited to add: My zip code is 85257. A few weeks ago that was in the top 5 with virus cases. We also have Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Hospital a mile from my house. I think the hospital is in the 85251 zip code area.

[rurallib]

5. And they are planning to open public schools in 7 weeks

We have a grandchild out there and what I am hearing is really scaring me.

[NonPC]

7. Where in the World is Doug Ducey???

Our Republican Governor is in hiding -- afraid to show his face to the press -- as they keep hounding him on what is he going to do. He opened up on May 15th saying the numbers were great. Too many stupid people here are flaunting the social distancing and PPE -- so this result was totally predictable.

[Kablooie]

8. Why Arizona of all places?

Are there any theories why cases are increasing there while more crowded states that ignored the warnings aren't doing any worse than anywhere else.

[Coventina]

13. We have a large retiree population, and not much mask wearing.

Those are my guesses....

[Buckeye_Democrat]

17. A DU poster from Maricopa County complained...

... yesterday about being regularly attacked for wearing a mask, for starters.

It's one of the biggest conservative counties in the country.

Here's the link:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=13572327

[Strelnikov_]

18. In summer, Arizonan's are inside

An advance look at the north and northeast in four months.

[krepitch]

19. Scottsdale

Here's a video of one of the Scottsdale clubs on May 23.

Link to tweet

?s=20

[helpisontheway]

21. I remember last month they opened this huge water park

It was on tv. All the people walking around talking about they were not worried about Covid. They said they were so happy to be enjoying the park. I knew that would be a disaster. That was in mid-May.

[howardmappel]

9. The other places that reopened are doing worse

And there are lots of articles about that. This one just happened to be about soon to be former senator mcsally's state.

[rocktivity]

12. Statewide/Nationwide testing is needed

Last edited Thu Jun 11, 2020, 11:41 AM - Edit history (1)

Which, fortunately, can be done with saliva rather than nasal samples. While I consider it helpful that there are more uninfected people on the streets, this can't begin to end until the infected and asymptomatic are detected and placed in proper quarantine care.

https://yourhhrsnews.com/nj-mass-covid-test


rocktivity

[StarryNite]

15. I didn't think the saliva tests were ready for the public yet.

They sound a whole lot better than the swabs shoved to your brain tests.

[LeftInTX]

14. I just read on twitter that there is no plan for any further closures in AZ

Link to tweet

Troy Hayden
@troyhaydenfox10
From Dr. Christ... AZ hospitals can handle the surge and there is no plan even being discussed for any sort of re-closure if this gets worse. I appreciate her taking the time for the interview this morning.

[StarryNite]

16. Well that would depend on how big the surge is.

That no plan is even being discussed for re-closing is frightening.

[PSPS]

20. Isn't trump having one of his bund rallies there soon?