Cites need to take vigorous action against the alarming rate of spread in Southern Arizona
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Representative Kirkpatrick released the following statement in support of Tucson Mayor Romero’s request for the establishment of a mandatory curfew to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“I stand in solidarity with Mayor Romero’s decision to request a nightly curfew to help stop the spread of this deadly virus,” said Rep. Kirkpatrick. “In a time of crisis, we need to rely and base decisions on facts. The truth of the matter is that COVID-19 is spreading at an increasingly alarming rate throughout Tucson and Southern Arizona, and something must be done.”
There are now 40,000 reported cases in Tucson and there have been 700 deaths. The city has witnessed a record number of cases per day, and hospitals could reach their capacities this week. The Mayor’s requested curfew would start at 8 p.m. beginning Tuesday, December 1 and would be in place through December 22. It would prohibit all persons from being present on any public street or in any public place, with exceptions for law enforcement, emergency and medical personnel, people performing essential functions, and unhoused people.
“We are at an inflection point, and our actions today will determine what happens in the next three weeks,” announced Mayor Romero. “My colleagues on the council and I are asking each and every Tucsonan to do their part to slow the spread, especially for our family and friends working in our hospitals. We need statewide action, and I strongly urge Governor Ducey to act swiftly to protect the health of Arizonans.”
“Mayor Romero has shown strong leadership throughout the entirety of the pandemic, and as a result, she has been more successful in slowing the spread than the Governor has at the state level,” added Rep. Kirkpatrick.
“We’ve seen the data. Masks work. Social distancing works. Small measures advised to us by health experts go a long way in stopping the spread of this disease. The Mayor’s suggested curfew will have positive and critical long-term effects on our community, and I hope that City Council will approve this measure for the benefit of all Tucsonans.”