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• Message from Supervisor Gates
• Current Voting Locations
• Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Update
• Maricopa County COVID Assistance & Economic Relief Programs
• Find Help At The New FindHelpPHX.org
• School Outbreaks
• How To Use School Benchmark Data
• Quarantine Guidelines
• 6 Reasons To Get A Flu Shot
• Free Vaccine Events Across Region
• The Difference Between Flu And COVID-19
• Quick Links to Helpful COVID-19 Resources
• Maricopa County Find Work / Get Work
• District 3 Community Events
• Library Events
• Looking for a Maricopa County Contact?
• Follow Supervisor Gates on Social Media

Message from Supervisor Gates

Dear Friends,

We are now seven days into early voting in Maricopa County and we have seen record turnout in comparison to the 2016 Presidential Election. It is encouraging to see Maricopa residents across the county taking advantage of all the voting options provided.

As always, make sure to check out the important election information provided below and to make a plan to vote. If you have any questions, concerns, or need to track your ballot, you can go to BeBallotReady.vote or call our office at 602-506-7562.

All my best,

Bill

Current Voting Locations

Below is the current in-person voting location within District 3. For future vote center locations and dates click HERE. For additional information regarding hours of operations, in-person drop box locations, and drive through drop box locations please visit the Maricopa County Elections Department website.

Location                        Address                  City                   Hours

Bell Canyon Pavillion    2814 W. Bell Rd       Phoenix             Open M-F 9am - 5pm

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Update

Updated October 15, 2020

Maricopa County Public Health has an updated data dashboard to better display trends and demographic information related to the spread of COVID-19.  We are seeing some encouraging signs in the daily case count, but it's too early to tell if the curve is flattening. 

Remember: "total number of cases" refers to all confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maricopa County since January, not to the current number of people who have the disease. 

Maricopa County COVID Assistance & Economic Relief Programs

It has been a challenging year, but Maricopa County is providing a helping hand to get you through the pandemic.  Click on any of the following programs to learn more: Crisis rental assistance Crisis utility assistance Business and nonprofit grants Social service agency grants Food bank assistance Funeral assistance Emergency supplies including PPE

Find Help At The New FindHelpPHX.org

With the increased need for social support services during the pandemic, Public Health has revamped its Find Help Phoenix website to better help residents access free and almost-free services.  These include: Housing and Utility Services Food and Clothing Services Employment Services Parenting and Childcare Services Kids and Youth Services Domestic Violence Victim Services Mental Health/Addiction Services Information for the approximately 1,500 service providers is checked regularly for accuracy and includes: description of services offered, cost (if any), location, and a phone number and/or website link to contact the organization.  Visit FindHelpPHX.org >  Visite EncuentraAyudaPHX.org >

School Outbreaks

There are currently 21 open COVID-19 outbreaks in K-12 schools.  An outbreak is defined as two or more PCR-positive cases of COVID-19 among students or staff within a 14-day period which are “epi-linked” (i.e., could have reasonably come into contact with each other in school) and not from the same household.  Schools are required to notify parents/guardians, students, and staff about the outbreak.  Public Health investigates these cases and works directly with schools to provide disease prevention and control guidance View outbreak data > View FAQ’s for parents and guardians > View all information and guidance for K-12 schools and childcare facilities >

How To Use School Benchmark Data

Many schools around the Valley have reopened for hybrid or in-person instruction, but schools are encouraged to monitor our data dashboard for the latest information about community spread.  The dashboard is updated every Thursday.  Remember: pop-up reports for each district/zip code will provide a recommended learning scenario, but you will NOT see a change in your area’s risk level or recommended scenario until two full weeks of data show a sustained increase or decrease in community spread.  For example, if you noticed an increase for one week, but data for the second week reverts to the lower level of community spread, no change to the current learning scenario will be recommended. The best way to determine if an area has already met the benchmarks for re-opening is to view its historical community spread data for the two consecutive weeks listed in our corresponding dashboard update calendar.  View school reopening dashboard > View school outbreak data >

Quarantine Guidelines

If you are a household member or a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, Public Health advises you to stay at home and away from others for 14 days after the last time you had close contact with the sick person.  We say 14 days because that’s the maximum amount of time it would take for COVID-19 symptoms to appear from the day a person is exposed to an infected person.  If you do not have any symptoms after the 14-day period, you can leave quarantine. Learn what to do during quarantine >

6 Reasons To Get A Flu Shot

Okay, so maybe the idea of getting a shot isn’t the most appealing.  But what about the satisfaction that comes with knowing you did your part to protect your community during a public health crisis?  The flu shot is safe, effective, and fast to get.  Even better, it’ll help reduce stress on our hospital system this fall and winter.  Watch the video for six reasons to get the vaccine this year, even if you haven’t done it in the past, then visit Maricopa.gov/flu for FREE flu shot options for you and your family. Download Video >

Free Vaccine Events Across Region

Maricopa County Encourages Flu Shots In October, Provides Free Vaccine Events Across Region

Maricopa County is asking residents to get their flu vaccine within the next three weeks. Getting vaccinated by the end of October ensures you are protected for the entire flu season, even if the flu starts circulating earlier than normal. 

“Now is the time to get your flu vaccine,” said Marcy Flanagan, Executive Director of Maricopa County Public Health. “Your body takes two weeks to develop antibodies after getting the flu shot.  Even though we normally see a peak around January, our flu season can start as early as November.  We encourage folks to get their flu shot now to prevent illness later.”

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE FLU VACCINE

• Getting the vaccine means you have a lower chance of getting the flu and passing it to others, including those who are at higher risk for severe illness, like young children, older adults, and those with chronic medical conditions.
• If you do get the flu after you’ve had the flu vaccine, it tends to be milder and you are much less likely to be hospitalized.
• The flu vaccine DOES NOT cause flu illness or increase your risk for other respiratory viruses like COVID-19. Hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received flu vaccines over the past 50 years, and there has been extensive research supporting the vaccine’s effectiveness.  

“The more people who are vaccinated, the fewer will be hospitalized, meaning less strain on our system when we still have COVID-19 circulating,” said Flanagan. “That’s why we are working with partners to make sure anyone who wants the shot can get it for free.”

3 WAYS TO GET YOUR FLU SHOT

• Children 6 months through 18 years of age can receive free flu shots at one of our Maricopa County Public Health immunization clinics on weekdays (Monday-Friday) by making an appointment.
• If you have insurance, check with your health care provider or locate a flu shot clinic near you using Vaccine Finder.
• If you are uninsured or underinsured, visit Maricopa.gov/flu to find a community event where adults and children can receive a FREE flu shot. These free events are open to ALL in the community, including those with insurance. 

“Getting a flu shot is a quick, proven preventive measure you can take right now to protect your health, the health of your loved ones, and the precious resources of our health care system in the middle of a pandemic,” said Flanagan. 

The Difference Between Flu And COVID-19

This fall and winter, we will have both influenza and COVID-19 circulating in Maricopa County.  They both can cause similar symptoms such as fever, cough, and body aches.  So what are some key differences between the two? Symptoms: COVID-19 can sometimes cause a person to suddenly lose their sense of smell or taste, while flu does not typically affect a person’s sense of smell or taste. Mortality: We do not know how many people infected with COVID-19 die overall, but based on available information, it is likely between 2 and 10 times that of most flu strains. Vaccine: There’s no COVID-19 vaccine available at this time, though development and testing are in progress. For COVID-19, physical distancing, wearing masks, hand hygiene, and other preventive actions are our best way to avoid COVID-19 infection. However, we can prevent flu—the flu vaccine is the best way to prevent flu and its complications. We know the vaccine is safe. And if you do get the flu after getting the shot, it’s likely to be less severe and you are much less likely to be hospitalized or die.  Learn where to get your flu vaccine for free at Maricopa.gov/flu. Regardless of what is making you sick, if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, it’s important that you stay home to avoid exposing others.

Download in English >
Download in Español >

Quick Links to Helpful COVID-19 Resources

Maricopa County Find Work / Get Work

Online listings for employment opportunities are available on the Maricopa County Employment Website. Maricopa County offers careers in a wide variety of public sector professions and new job opportunities are posted on an ongoing basis.

District 3 Community Events

All Events Cancelled Until Further Notice

Library Events

Maricopa County libraries are hoping to open with full operating hours next month.  In the meantime, Pop-In Pickup. Curbside Pickup, Book-A-Librarian and online events remain available. View Library District FAQ’s >

Looking for a Maricopa County Contact?

Below is a contact list for Maricopa County constituent services. Don't see what your looking for? Visit our County Contacts Webpage.

Follow Supervisor Gates on Social Media

@BillGatesAZ

@BillGatesAZ

William Gates

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Contact District 3

Phone: (602) 506-7562

Email: District3@maricopa.gov