PHOENIX – A group of Arizona mayors, lawmakers and doctors are asking Gov. Doug Ducey to take additional action to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our state, according to a letter released Wednesday.
In the letter, local leaders and doctors urged Governor Ducey to impose a statewide mask warrant and also asked him to contact President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to obtain a COVID-19 relief package.
The group also said Governor Ducey should help increase unemployment benefits in Arizona beyond the $ 240 maximum. They say these unemployment benefits are the second lowest weekly unemployment benefit in the country and the lowest nationally in percentage of lost wages replaced.
With COVID-19 cases rising rapidly and the coming holidays, local leaders and health workers say there is “a need for leadership to prevent the catastrophic spread in the state.”
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Local leaders and health workers said they applauded local governments who made the move for mitigation measures in the absence of statewide actions.
In Arizona, 4,848 new cases and 108 new coronavirus-related deaths were reported as of Wednesday.
To read the full letter, click here.
When asked during a press conference Wednesday about calls for increased mitigation efforts, Governor Ducey said, “We are doing everything we can.”
Here’s the governor’s full answer from the start on calls for stronger mitigation measures in Arizona.
Gov. Doug Ducey said the other leaders must enforce the already established steps to save lives.
“These are the facts, and these are the actions that are needed.” pic.twitter.com/gbe2OGx7ig
– Nicole Grigg (@NicoleSGrigg) December 16, 2020
During the briefing, Governor Ducey urged all Arizonans to “please get the vaccine (COVID-19).”