Maricopa County Sheriff Penzone doing best to protect office from virus

PHOENIX – Like any boss who is responsible for the well-being of employees, Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone is thinking about the coronavirus.

Three more cases were confirmed were in Arizona on Wednesday, bringing the total to nine. Across the United States, cases have surpassed 1,000.

The World Health Organization has declared the virus a pandemic.

“I wish had some magic formula to ensure we could protect our employees, but the nature of our business makes it so difficult,” Penzone told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Gaydos and Chad Show on Tuesday.

“Whether it’s in the streets or whether it’s in the jails, our business is putting our hands on people to ensure safety.

“That multiplies the challenges for us, for our employees,” Penzone said.

The sheriff said he also keeps tabs on health situations in the county jails.

“On any given day there are 7,500 to 8,500 inmates in the jails. If we have an exposure there, obviously, that is a concern. We have to be able to isolate that.

“At the same time, we have to be able to staff the jails.”

Penzone added that doctors in the county correctional health services have dealt with similar issues in the past.

“Maybe not as extreme, (but) we do have some plans in place,” Penzone said.

Officers in the field are reminded to wear rubber gloves and to use antibacterials.

But ultimately, “There’s only so much we can control,” he said of the outbreak.

“We’re trying to do everything we can to be thoughtful and to be prepared to address this if we have a challenge,” he said.

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