Friday, May 15, 2020
On Tuesday, May 12, Forbes published a list detailing the 10 US cities best poised to economically recover from coronavirus – as well as the 10 worst.
While the list was not ranked, Tucson landed among those best positioned to recover, which share traits like being college towns, tech hubs, and having fast growth pre-coronavirus. Other top 10 cities include Denver, Salt Lake City, San Jose, Washington DC, and Boise.
While the list was not ranked, Tucson landed among those best positioned to recover, which share traits like being college towns, tech hubs, and having fast growth pre-coronavirus. Other top 10 cities include Denver, Salt Lake City, San Jose, Washington DC, and Boise.
Forbes' list was based on a Moody's Analytics report detailing coronavirus impact among the 100 largest metro areas in the nation.
“The most dynamic recoveries may well bypass traditional powerhouses and take place instead in areas that either were or were poised to lead the way in 2020 before everything changed,” said Adam Kamins, author of the report.
Some of the 10 worst-positioned cities are Philadelphia, Miami, Los Angeles, Detroit, and (unsurprisingly) New York City.
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Click here to read their biggest stories as soon as they’re published.
Within a few weeks, the Federal Reserve will start a $600 billion lending program that the Trump administration says will help 40,000 midsized businesses that employ 35 million Americans.
The Main Street Lending Program is the next marquee effort of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, which Congress passed in March. It is set to begin after weeks of criticism of the first, the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses. While it’s too early to judge a program that hasn’t begun, the Main Street effort appears to have replicated some of the flaws of the paycheck program, and it has added some new ones.
Experts from across the political spectrum already are concerned that the Main Street program will not come close to meeting the ambitious goals touted by the administration. They worry it will move too slowly, that lenders won’t embrace it and that companies won’t seek out the loans because they’re not sure whether they’ll be able to pay them back.
“My fear is that no one will lend and no one will borrow,” said Glenn Hubbard, an economist at Columbia Business School who served in the George W. Bush administration.
Within a few weeks, the Federal Reserve will start a $600 billion lending program that the Trump administration says will help 40,000 midsized businesses that employ 35 million Americans.
The Main Street Lending Program is the next marquee effort of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, which Congress passed in March. It is set to begin after weeks of criticism of the first, the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses. While it’s too early to judge a program that hasn’t begun, the Main Street effort appears to have replicated some of the flaws of the paycheck program, and it has added some new ones.
Experts from across the political spectrum already are concerned that the Main Street program will not come close to meeting the ambitious goals touted by the administration. They worry it will move too slowly, that lenders won’t embrace it and that companies won’t seek out the loans because they’re not sure whether they’ll be able to pay them back.
“My fear is that no one will lend and no one will borrow,” said Glenn Hubbard, an economist at Columbia Business School who served in the George W. Bush administration.
Fast-Med Urgent Care has announced that the healthcare centers have two locations open for COVID-19 testing in Tucson.
The locations are 2510 E. Broadway Blvd. and 1895 W. Valencia Road, suite 101.
Both of these locations will now be able to test you if you suspect you have COVID-19. They do ask that you follow CDC guidelines regarding social distancing and cleanliness, which you can find on their website, which also includes a COVID-19 Self Assessment, to see if you may have the symptoms before you come in to get tested.
Individuals who are concerned about their exposure and would like to be tested should check-in online. Fast-Med providers will do an evaluation before testing commences.
The locations are 2510 E. Broadway Blvd. and 1895 W. Valencia Road, suite 101.
Both of these locations will now be able to test you if you suspect you have COVID-19. They do ask that you follow CDC guidelines regarding social distancing and cleanliness, which you can find on their website, which also includes a COVID-19 Self Assessment, to see if you may have the symptoms before you come in to get tested.
Individuals who are concerned about their exposure and would like to be tested should check-in online. Fast-Med providers will do an evaluation before testing commences.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona topped 13,000 as of Friday, May 15, according to the morning report from the Arizona Department of Health Services. ‹
Pima County had 1,750 of the state's 13,169 confirmed cases.
The coronavirus had killed 651 people statewide, including 155 in Pima County, according to the report.
In Maricopa County, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases had risen to 6,821.
Because symptoms can take as long as two weeks to appear after exposure to the virus (while some people can remain entirely asymptomatic), health officials continue to urge the public to avoid unnecessary trips and gatherings of more than 10 people and have advised people to cover their faces with masks in public.
Arizona's stay-at-home order expires today. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced this week that gyms, pools and movie theaters can now reopen. Ducey also invited major-league sports to play in Arizona, although he said it would have to be without fans in the audience.
Ducey had already given the green light for restaurants and bars that offer food service to reopen this week. Restrictions were lifted on stores, barber shops and salons last week.
Ducey said he hoped that schools would be able to reopen in the fall but was yet not ready to make that call.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said yesterday that Ducey was moving forward too quickly on reopening the state.
"As eager as we all are to return to any sense of normalcy, I believe that the Governor is moving too quickly and that we should proceed methodically and cautiously to prevent a re-emergence that would be even more damaging to our economy in the long-run," Romero said. "Dr. Fauci and our nation's top health experts testified earlier this week that without widespread testing and a robust contact tracing plan in place, states that are re-opening risk a second wave of the virus. Although some improvements have been made, we lag the rest of the country in both areas. I don’t want our economy to just re-open, I want it to remain open. That will not happen if there is a second wave of the virus and we are forced to shut down again."
Pima County had 1,750 of the state's 13,169 confirmed cases.
The coronavirus had killed 651 people statewide, including 155 in Pima County, according to the report.
In Maricopa County, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases had risen to 6,821.
Because symptoms can take as long as two weeks to appear after exposure to the virus (while some people can remain entirely asymptomatic), health officials continue to urge the public to avoid unnecessary trips and gatherings of more than 10 people and have advised people to cover their faces with masks in public.
Arizona's stay-at-home order expires today. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced this week that gyms, pools and movie theaters can now reopen. Ducey also invited major-league sports to play in Arizona, although he said it would have to be without fans in the audience.
Ducey had already given the green light for restaurants and bars that offer food service to reopen this week. Restrictions were lifted on stores, barber shops and salons last week.
Ducey said he hoped that schools would be able to reopen in the fall but was yet not ready to make that call.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said yesterday that Ducey was moving forward too quickly on reopening the state.
"As eager as we all are to return to any sense of normalcy, I believe that the Governor is moving too quickly and that we should proceed methodically and cautiously to prevent a re-emergence that would be even more damaging to our economy in the long-run," Romero said. "Dr. Fauci and our nation's top health experts testified earlier this week that without widespread testing and a robust contact tracing plan in place, states that are re-opening risk a second wave of the virus. Although some improvements have been made, we lag the rest of the country in both areas. I don’t want our economy to just re-open, I want it to remain open. That will not happen if there is a second wave of the virus and we are forced to shut down again."
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Tags: maga , covid19 , coronavirus , political , cartoon , Image
Thursday, May 14, 2020
That's another Thursday in the books. Here are some of the stories we've covered today.
- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona reached 12,674 of Thursday, May 14, according to the morning report from the Arizona Department of Health Services.
- Casa Video and Film Bar is open for business for the first time since quarantine measures closed all non-essential businesses in Tucson in late March.
- Starting on Friday, May 15, CVS Health will be operating three new drive-thru testing sites in the Tucson area as part of a nationwide response to COVID-19.
- The Pima County Board of Supervisors adopted a set of temporary regulations to help restaurant owners expand their outside dining area while under new indoor occupancy restrictions during Wednesday's emergency meeting.
- Guest Commentary from Councilmember Richard Fimbres: Voting by Mail, Your Life May Depend On It.
- Parks and trails in Arizona continue to be a source of solace and relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Tuesday, via teleconference, about the power to investigate the president.
- Faced with the stay-home orders and social distancing brought on by the coronavirus, campaigning has become a little more involved.
- Oro Valley is bringing in a new company to manage the town-owned golf courses.
- Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said today that Gov. Doug Ducey is moving too quickly by allowing the state's stay-at-home order to expire after tomorrow.
- Dr. Bob England, director of the Pima County Health Department, clarified how the county health department would enforce the new guidelines approved by the Pima County Board of Supervisors yesterday.
Dr. Bob England, director of the Pima County Health Department, clarified how the county health department would enforce the new guidelines approved by the Pima County Board of Supervisors yesterday.
"We are not going to have people sitting in the bushes while you eat," Dr. Bob said. "If there's one thing I've learned about our registered sanitarians and others in the year I've been here, it's that they want to help businesses do the right thing."
Education and assistance will be the health department's focus while the new regulations are in place, Dr. Bob said. The regulations will stay in place until the pandemic is declared over by Pima County's chief medical officer, Dr. Francisco Garcia.
"Actual enforcement of any kind is going to be a last resort," Dr. Bob said. "We want all of us to continue to do what we know we should to prevent transmission in this disease."
Dr. Bob also wanted to let businesses know that the county health department will be unable to assist them with procuring the necessary PPE to protect their staff. They don't have any to share and are still waiting on orders they placed two months ago.
"We can't give away stuff we don't have," Dr. Bob said. "We have a lot of material on backorder since March."
The county is expecting a large shipment of N-95 masks which will be going straight to health care workers, Dr. Bob said. He also cautioned against using an N-95 mask if you are not trained. Improper use could pose a risk for catching COVID-19, according to Dr. Bob.
"You need to be fit tested or at the very least trained to use it," Dr, Bob said. "If you put on an N-95 mask and you don't know what you're doing, you're going to draw air in around the side that's unfiltered."
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said today that Gov. Doug Ducey is moving too quickly by allowing the state's stay-at-home order to expire after tomorrow, Romero's statement in her latest update to Tucson:Today’s updates, criteria for reopening Tucson, Move Tucson Virtual Townhall, and more.
— Regina Romero (@TucsonRomero) May 14, 2020
Pima County Health Department Recommendations:https://t.co/8oEiQOZM1A
Move Tucson Virtual Townhall: https://t.co/4upNOAzdMC pic.twitter.com/XHNcoqCVP3
This week, Governor Ducey announced that his “Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected” Executive Order will be ending May 15 and new guidance will be put in place. As eager as we all are to return to any sense of normalcy, I believe that the Governor is moving too quickly and that we should proceed methodically and cautiously to prevent a re-emergence that would be even more damaging to our economy in the long-run.
Dr. Fauci and our nation's top health experts testified earlier this week that without widespread testing and a robust contact tracing plan in place, states that are re-opening risk a second wave of the virus. Although some improvements have been made, we lag the rest of the country in both areas. I don’t want our economy to just re-open, I want it to remain open. That will NOT happen if there is a second wave of the virus and we are forced to shut down again.
As more businesses open up, I encourage everyone to continue following CDC guidelines by practicing social distancing and wearing a face covering while out in public. My deepest gratitude goes to all the businesses and employers that are taking adequate precautions to protect their employees and patrons. Restaurants in Pima County that are opening up for dine-in services should review the regulations adopted by the Pima County Board of Supervisors yesterday. All businesses that are opening should also review the recommendations and guidelines put out by the Governor’s office.
Logan Burtch-Buus, Tucson Local Media
The management of Oro Valley's town-owned golf courses will turn over to Billy Casper Golf within 90 days after the town gave notice to current operator Troon Golf of its intent to change firms. The decision comes after five years with Troon.
Billy Casper Golf will take over management from Troon Golf within the next 90 days.
It’s the latest twist in the town’s management of the golf course, which has been a major controversy since the Oro Valley Town Council agreed to purchase the golf course and an associated community center in 2014 from the HSL Properties. While the community center has been a popular spot for everything from youth summer camps to senior leisure classes, the golf courses have lost money and required millions in subsidies from the town.
The resulting controversy triggered a 2015 recall attempt and was a major issue in the 2018 election that brought Mayor Joe Winfield and three new Oro Valley council members into office.
Oro Valley posted a request for proposals Jan. 24 searching for a new course operator. Troon was brought on to handle the golf course, food and beverage, tennis operations, and swimming pool operations in 2015. Since then, the town took over the pool and El Conquistador Tennis, LLC took over tennis.
Tags: oro valley , golf , troon , contract , operator , Image
TEMPE – In any other election year, Eva Putzova would be driving across Arizona’s sprawling 1st District to get to in-person campaign events in her challenge to Rep. Tom O’Halleran, D-Sedona.
But this is not any other election year.
Faced with the stay-home orders and social distancing brought on by the coronavirus, Putzova and her campaign team have put all in-person activities on hold and are operating remotely for the most part.
“While we all are dealing with a lot of stress and worry about our loved ones because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can’t put democracy on pause,” Putzova, a former Flagstaff City Council member, said in an emailed statement.
“Organizing in geographically one of the largest districts in the country means that as a team we have already been operating mostly remotely,” said Putzova, a Democrat.
Candidates across Arizona and the nation have suspended rallies and in-person canvassing, and have their campaign staffers work from home because of the coronavirus. In addition to the challenge reaching voters, COVID-19 brings competition for financial donations and media attention.
“Nobody was planning on this happening when they put together their campaign,” said Chad Campbell, senior vice president for Strategies 360. “If you were planning on doing a lot of time door-to-door, you probably have to shift … money and time to phones and to texting and to digital.”
But this is not any other election year.
Faced with the stay-home orders and social distancing brought on by the coronavirus, Putzova and her campaign team have put all in-person activities on hold and are operating remotely for the most part.
“While we all are dealing with a lot of stress and worry about our loved ones because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can’t put democracy on pause,” Putzova, a former Flagstaff City Council member, said in an emailed statement.
“Organizing in geographically one of the largest districts in the country means that as a team we have already been operating mostly remotely,” said Putzova, a Democrat.
Candidates across Arizona and the nation have suspended rallies and in-person canvassing, and have their campaign staffers work from home because of the coronavirus. In addition to the challenge reaching voters, COVID-19 brings competition for financial donations and media attention.
“Nobody was planning on this happening when they put together their campaign,” said Chad Campbell, senior vice president for Strategies 360. “If you were planning on doing a lot of time door-to-door, you probably have to shift … money and time to phones and to texting and to digital.”
