Supervisor Gates Video re COVID-19 Emergency Declaration

Maricopa County, Arizona sent this bulletin at 03/18/2020 04:41 PM MST

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Maricopa County COVID-19 Emergency Declaration - March 18, 2020

COVID-19 Video From Supervisor Gates

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

Supervisor Gates' Video re COVID-19 Emergency Declaration

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.

Maricopa County Emergency Declaration

Coronavirus / COVID-19

Visit Maricopa.gov/Coronavirus for the latest County Updates.

The Coronavirus/COVID-19 situation is rapidly changing. Below are resources and links to help you navigate this time.

We know that COVID-19 tends to affect older adults (over age 60) and those with underlying health conditions more than other individuals.

Children tend to not be as seriously impacted.
Staying home when you are sick helps individuals at greater risk reduce their exposure and their chances of becoming severely ill.
Individuals who are at higher risk of illness due to age or underlying health conditions should make sure they have enough food, medications, and supplies in case they become ill and have to stay home.

COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets when a person coughs or sneezes

Spread through close contact

Within 6 feet for greater than 10 minutes

People are most contagious when they are most symptomatic

There is now community spread in Arizona, which means we have positive cases of COVID-19 that we have not been able to identify the source of exposure and there was no travel.
There is currently no treatment or vaccine for COVID-19. Asymptomatic people do not require testing for COVID-19 because even if a test come back positive, there is no change to the treatment protocol.
To minimize spread, people should cover their coughs and sneezes and stay home if they are sick. People should also wash their hands frequently and not touch their face, where germs enter the body.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT COMMUNITY SPREAD?

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue (or your elbow), then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. (Including door knobs, toilet handles, and sink handles, etc.)
Wash your hands frequently.
Stay home from work if you are ill.
For the latest information, please visit the links below.

Arizona Department of Health Services

U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Maricopa County Department of Public Health