Good afternoon,
Please see my statement and video below as a Maricopa County Supervisor and member of the Maricopa County Board of Health.
Thank you,
Bill Gates
Today our Chairman Clint Hickman declared a State of Emergency in Maricopa County to help obtain additional funding to combat COVID-19 and allow for flexibility to react in emergency situations.
The safety of our community and residents is first and foremost. We need the community’s help.
Our Public Health Department has been working closely with the State of Arizona, local health providers, and local communities to provide information, supplies, and monitor the every evolving COVID-19 situation.
We as a community can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This will allow our medical community to serve the needs of those who truly need it.
I implore all of us, as a community, to practice social distancing. If you can reach out and touch someone next to you, you are too close. We often forget this when forming a line at the grocery store, crosswalk, or other locations.
Avoid groups of more than 10 people – think about this as you visit community businesses.
At the same time utilize the outdoors. The Maricopa County Parks System has a 315-mile trail. With that much space you can enjoy nature, get some exercise, have a great family experience, practice social distancing, and then some.
Support your local businesses and watch out for your neighbors. There are many people that have or will find themselves in an unknown position, share opportunities.
Working together as a community doesn’t require us to be next to each other. We have so many technology platforms with which to communicate. Social distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation.
Our Maricopa County Emergency Operations Center has been open since Monday and will continue to provide information to our elected leadership.
Above all, be patient with one another and remain calm.
If we all proactively practice social distancing and increased safe hygiene practices, we can help to flatten the curve and allow our medical community to help those who truly need it.
For more information visit maricopa.gov/publichealth.
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