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Newsletter 2

May 22, 2020 - Vol. 5, No. 6

We’re back! Pima County FYI took a nearly two-month hiatus as staff members were reassigned to assist with response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With this issue we will resume our publishing schedule of the second and fourth Fridays of each month. You’ll find plenty of updates related to the COVID response and the County’s Back to Business efforts as well as general news, feature stories and more. Next issue: June 12.

Volunteers at Food Bank

Sign me up: Volunteers answering the call

As tens of thousands of Pima County residents hunkered down at home to stop the spread of Coronavirus in the community, hundreds of volunteers sprang into action. With coordination by staff from the County Health Department, these volunteers are assisting with everything from logistics to health care to food delivery.

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Food distribution

County playing lead role in food distribution efforts

Brandon Milligan starts his day at the Pima County Jail.

He isn't in trouble with the law. The Library employee instead is picking up hundreds of surplus meals – sandwich, fruit, milk – loading them onto a Pima County Library van and hauling the boxes of food to the Casa Maria Soup Kitchen for distribution. Seven days a week. No days off. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

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Phillip Bernard and kids

Housing First project offers stability in uncertain times

Phillip Bernard began a new job in the kitchen at P.F. Chang’s in March. Three days later, the world changed and he had no job to go to.

But he still had a place to call home. And that continues to make all the difference for Bernard, who has found stability and security in his life with the help of Pima County’s Housing First project.

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influenza epidemic

Influenza pandemic of 1917-18 has parallels to today’s coronavirus

The current national emergency has drawn comparisons to the worldwide influenza epidemic of 1918, which led to somewhere between 20 million and 50 million deaths worldwide. An estimated 6,000 Arizonans died then, several hundred likely from Pima County. And though the loss of life was tragic for the community, decisive action by local officials prevented the sort of disaster that was seen in other places.

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Logistics team

Logistics team on front lines of pandemic

When the novel Coronavirus reached Pima County earlier this year, it became immediately apparent that personal protective equipment, medical supplies and many other items essential in the battle against the pandemic were needed. Unfortunately, these items were in high demand across the world with only limited supplies available.

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blood drive

Donors needed for June blood drive

The County is inviting members of the public to join employees in donating blood at its next Red Cross Blood Drive set for  8 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 3-4 at the County Public Works Building, 201 N. Stone Ave., basement conference room. All blood types are in high demand, particularly “Power Red” donations that use two units of red blood cells only.

Register at https://www.redcrossblood.org/, using sponsor code PCDT or call 800-733-2767.

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Cactus

Check out this summer reading challenge list

The Public Library has teamed with #ThisIsTucson to create a summer reading list featuring Arizona-inspired categories, like the Sonoran Desert. Patrons are encouraged to read all the offerings or pick one from each section and share their progress in the #ThisIsTucson Book Club on Facebook.

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hiker

In Case You Missed It

Media outlets have been busy covering the various programs and initiatives of Pima County departments, from the success of a restorative justice program launched by the Pima County Library to top hiking trails you can explore to a rundown on local air quality.

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COVID graphic

Latest COVID news and updates

Check this roundup of the latest news and updates from the Web and social media related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We’ll include timely social media posts, the latest video messages from the Pima County Health Department, other recent news and links to important local and state websites you’ll want to bookmark.

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