Sen. McSally points to manufacturing as model for reopening nation
PHOENIX – The industries that have remained in operation during the coronavirus outbreak could be a shining light on how to get the rest of the nation back to work, U.S. Sen. Martha McSally of Arizona said Friday.
“We have a lot of defense companies in Arizona, manufacturing, who are working. … They’re using protective equipment, protective gear and safe practices. What are we learning from them?” McSally said on KTAR 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News.
McSally is one of three Arizona lawmakers chosen for President Donald Trump’s bipartisan congressional economic recovery task force. She joined Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and fellow Republican Rep. Andy Biggs on the list.
The panel, made up of 32 House members and 65 senators, will advise the White House on how to gradually reopen businesses after weeks of restrictions designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Trump announced Thursday a “a phased and deliberate approach” to restoring normal activity in places that have strong testing and are seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases.
“This is not an on-off switch – it’s like a dimmer – to allow more people to go to work,” McSally said.
Trump told governors they would “call their own shots,” which they have already been doing, to a certain extent.
“What is happening in Cochise County is not the same as what’s happening in New York City,” McSally said.
“The guidelines and conditions are what makes sense [for each state].”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
