Sen. Sinema says Gov. Ducey’s coronavirus priorities are misguided
Jun 16, 2020, 4:00 PM | Updated: 9:07 pm
(Facebook Video Screenshot)
(Facebook Video Screenshot)
PHOENIX — U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema believes Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s priorities in handling the coronavirus outbreak are misguided.
The Democratic senator said Tuesday on KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gaydos and Chad that Ducey should be focused on slowing the spread of the virus instead of preparing residents for a worst-case scenario.
Ducey on Thursday continuously touted the state’s hospital bed capacity as cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in Arizona.
“I don’t think it makes sense to design your policy on whether or not there are enough hospital beds for people to die in,” Sinema said.
“I think we should be designing our policy about how we are reducing the spread so fewer people are dying, fewer people are in the hospitals and fewer people are contracting the virus.”
Sinema laid out solutions she wants to see in Arizona that would help mitigate the spread of the virus.
Like other state leaders, she wants masks to become mandatory in public places as well as an increased emphasis on testing and a coordinated contact tracing program.
Sinema urged Ducey to follow facts and data, and to listen to hospital leaders across the state she said have expressed concerns to her.
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The Arizona health department reported 2,392 new coronavirus cases, a new daily high, and 25 additional deaths Tuesday morning.
“The facts are very clear and the data very stark,” Sinema said.
Sinema added that personal responsibility will be a major factor if Arizona wants to see better results when it comes to coronavirus.
For Sinema, that means avoiding public settings and gatherings where social distancing can’t be practiced properly and following guidelines put out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Personal responsibility is something that each of us as citizens have a responsibility to uphold,” Sinema said.
