We must behave better, Arizona
Utah has an answer for stemming COVID-19 spread among family and friends. But is it the right one for Arizona?
Gov. Gary Herbert has temporarily halted social gatherings, in addition to enacting a statewide mask mandate and requiring all college students to be tested weekly.
I get why he took these steps. Utah’s case surge is much worse than ours. There are fears that the state’s hospital system could soon be overwhelmed.
Herbert was under pressure to do something.
Meanwhile, in Arizona, COVID-19 cases are increasing, and there are wellfounded fears that the 2,000 or so cases we’re now averaging daily could quickly jump to 4,000 — putting us back where we were in the summer.
Lots of people want Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to do something, too. But, at least for now, Ducey firmly believes that the mitigation measures we already have in place are enough to keep us from getting there.
I’m not so sure about that, governor. Increased testing, particularly of those who don’t feel sick, and statewide clarity on mask wearing would help us better respond to this surge.
A case also could be made to do more about small gatherings, considering that they are now among the primary modes of transmission in Arizona and nationwide. The state health director and education superintendent have pleaded with folks to scale back parties and sleepovers, if they want to keep schools open.
But what if simple pleading doesn’t work?
Our red-state neighbor has stepped in with a mandate to hang out only with your household for the next two weeks. Extracurricular activities are mostly canceled, and residents are supposed to think twice about having that in-person baby shower, birthday party or backyard barbecue.
There is fine print, of course.
Events with primarily educational or religious purposes are exempt.
Social gatherings also can go on if everyone wears masks and stays six feet away from those they don’t live with, and there is an event host who can submit a detailed form about how his or her venue is managing the event.
So, a 20-person event at a theater, conference center or zoo is OK with masks and distancing, but an impromptu visit with grandma in the backyard with the same precautions is verboten?
I have no idea how Utah plans to enforce that, though the governor has said violations could net up to a $10,000 fine.
That leads me to the lesson for Arizona — which like Utah and everyone else, has struggled with where and when to draw the line between asking people to take personal responsibility for their actions and telling them what to do.
Most of us would agree that the former is better, but it will never work unless we are clear, practical and consistent about what responsible behavior looks like.
So, yes, put the message on repeat that we should wear masks and stay six feet away from anyone we don’t live with, even if they are visiting us at home. But also be more specific about everyday situations, like playdates and barbecues and how teens should interact with their friends.
Educate, educate, educate. If Ducey doesn’t want to be backed into a mandate corner, the state is going to have to do this a lot better.
And quick.