Arizona President of COVID-19 Hotspot Status: “We were here before”-Current status of reform

Eli Kirschbaum | January 7, 2021

Lower Arizona Record breaking According to Dr. Ross Goldberg, MD, of the Arizona Medical Association, COVID-19 infection levels require a strong balance of leadership and personal responsibility.Arizona has the best COVID-19 Infection rate In the United States, it was recently called a “global hotspot” by health professionals. Goldberg acknowledged that state leadership played an important role in preventing the spread of the virus, but said personal negligence in public health recommendations was a driver.

“It’s very frustrating for us to ask people to follow some simple guidelines, and many people just don’t want it anymore, which is a constant burden on our resources. I’m playing, “Goldberg said. “I don’t know how to overcome it. It’s a very frustrating experience.”

In Arizona total Of 584,598 confirmed cases and 9,741 deaths. On January 3, 17,234 new cases were reported and 290 were reported. New arrival Deaths were reported only on January 5th. All counties except Greenlee are currently experiencing significant outbreaks, while La Paz and Yuma counties show particularly high case rates.

Goldberg referenced COVID-19 infection levels in Arizona last summerPlease note that this is not the first time the state has become a global hotspot.

“I literally remember July, when we were the worst place on the planet,” he said. “So I know what it’s like to literally work in the worst places on the planet, and it’s a shame we’re back there again. It’s driving it. It’s actually a case rate, which is frustrating because there are many factors involved. We haven’t seen a surge from Christmas and New Year yet. “

He points to the politicization of basic measures such as wearing masks as the reason why Arizonas did not respond adequately to contain the virus. He said personal responsibility is a major factor in the state’s response.

“We don’t make people happy to hear that you have to take responsibility for yourself,” he said. “When you hear politicians talking about healthcare, you don’t really hear them talking about personal responsibilities, because they don’t help them win. My role as is not to tell you what you want to hear, but what you want to hear. “

“If people don’t do that, we won’t anticipate this and slow it down,” he said. “It’s a physical distance, a hand wash, and as we’ve asked, we’re doing everything to slow the spread of this virus.”

Goldberg also said it was important to balance management decisions under COVID-19 with financial considerations, such as restaurant closures.

“Leadership must clearly be adaptable and flexible, depending on what the numbers say,” he said. “But I also say, and people don’t want to hear this, but I also recognize the fact that the economy is not an independent entity. Economy and public health are related and financially sourced from people. You can’t shut everything down and expect everything to be okay. “

Spokesperson for Governor Doug Ducey’s office Admitted He said the outbreak was serious, but similar problems were occurring in other states with stricter public health measures. According to Goldberg, it’s a complex problem with no clear answer. He said Arizona implemented rigorous measures early in the pandemic, but was still at its current level, believing that forcing Arizona to take safety measures is not a sustainable solution.

“If you’re going to force people to do that, they won’t react very well to it, and they probably won’t get in the way of them to ignore it,” he said. “So how do you find that balance? I don’t say I have all the answers, it’s very tricky. Some people want to lock down everything, anyone is free to use it. Some people want to do that, but I don’t think either is a good answer. “

Goldberg said it was important to take a data-driven approach to the COVID-19 response. He added that while vaccines are “seeing the end” as they begin to be deployed, it is imperative that people make responsible individual decisions within the next few months.