ARIZONA NEWS

Former health director: Ducey should fund COVID-19 compliance inspections

Oct 21, 2020, 4:15 PM | Updated: 6:58 pm

PHOENIX – The former director of the Arizona Department of Health Services called on Gov. Doug Ducey on Wednesday to utilize federal funds to support counties investigating businesses with coronavirus complaints.

Will Humble, who is now the executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association, said Ducey should utilize unallocated funds from the coronavirus relief bill to assist the state’s county health departments with sending inspectors out to businesses that aren’t following coronavirus mitigation measures.

“If we don’t beef up the compliance and enforcement inspections at bars, restaurants and nightclubs then we’re going to end up in exponential growth probably,” Humble told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gaydos & Chad.

“I don’t think it will be like June and July, but enough so that there’s jeopardy in the hospital system and then you’re faced with the decision, ‘Do we close the bars and night clubs again?’”

Humble said the state doesn’t have to get to that point where hospitals are pushed to the limits and businesses like bars would be forced to temporarily shutter their doors once again.

In June, Ducey implemented an executive order that forced bars, nightclubs, gyms, theaters, waterparks and tubing operators to temporarily shutter operations in an attempt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

When the state unveiled reopening guidelines in late-August for businesses, AZDHS rolled out an online forum where people would be able to report establishments that were skirting the requirements.

The state said it would partner with the county health departments to make sure those complaints were followed up on, but Humble said the contracts were never signed because the contracts didn’t pay the counties enough for what the state was asking them to follow through on.

He urged the governor to allocate the funds because the state can’t oversee all the complaints themselves.

“Those investigations are happening, but how can you do that from a building on 18th Avenue and Monroe?” Humble said. “Those have to be happening at the county level. That’s who lives in those communities.”

Humble pointed out that the Pima County Health Department has done a good job of following up on complaint investigations and he said that is reflective in their data.

Pima’s coronavirus percent positivity rate has decreased from 6% at the end of August to 4% last week. On Wednesday, the county reported 109 new coronavirus cases and one death.

Humble also called on the governor to institute a statewide mask mandate, something Ducey has shied away from. In June, he gave local governments like counties and cities the power to decide if they wanted to implement face covering requirements for their jurisdictions.

“We’re not going to need to do these things forever, just until the vaccines are in wide distribution, but for the life of me I don’t understand why this evidence-based practice that is clearly helpful, has a very high return on investment isn’t being implemented,” Humble said.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Keep an eye out for piggy banks hidden by Frontier Airlines in downtown Phoenix....

Kevin Stone

Frontier Airlines hides piggy banks containing flight vouchers in downtown Phoenix

Frontier Airlines is conducting a treasure hunt in downtown Phoenix on Wednesday, with free flights up for grabs.

1 hour ago

Judge Bruce Cohen presides during a pre-trial hearing Aug. 27, 2024, during Arizona's fake electors...

Associated Press

Judge recuses himself in Arizona’s fake electors case after email surfaces

A judge recused himself Tuesday from presiding over Arizona’s fake electors case after an email surfaced in which he told fellow judges to speak out against attacks Kamala Harris’ campaign.

2 hours ago

automatic recount arizona election law...

Kevin Stone

Here’s what you need to know about Arizona’s automatic recount law

Although it took almost a week for Arizona's U.S. Senate race to be called, it doesn't meet the requirement for an automatic recount.

3 hours ago

The Grand Canyon Railway received federal funding to convert a diesel locomotive to battery power....

Kevin Stone

Grand Canyon Railway gets funding to convert locomotive to battery power

The Grand Canyon Railway in northern Arizona is on track to go greener thanks to a federal grant to convert a locomotive to battery power.

3 hours ago

Amazing Arizonans...

Mike Broomhead

Amazing Arizonans: Michael Zistatsis discusses escape from communism, living American Dream

PHOENIX — The American dream is alive and well. A perfect example of that is in the story from our guest on this episode of Amazing Arizonans. Michael Zistatsis owns two successful restaurants and a successful catering business. Michael came to America and started working at Christo’s as a busboy, eventually working his way up […]

4 hours ago

Summerwell Peoria Place renting community aerial view...

Serena O'Sullivan

First phase of new Peoria rental community ready for residents

A new rental community in Peoria called Summerwell Peoria Place is comprised of 255 duplexes as well as one- and two-story detached homes.

12 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Act Now: Secure Your HVAC Equipment Before Prices Rise in 2025!

Phoenix, AZ – As the year draws to a close, Collins Comfort Masters is urging homeowners and businesses to take advantage of current pricing on HVAC equipment.

...

Bright Wealth Management

Here’s how to save money on retirement planning

PHOENIX -- With inflation still going on, people planning on retiring still face many issues on when they can retire and how much money they need to achieve it.

Former health director: Ducey should fund COVID-19 compliance inspections