Covid virus in phoenix (Tucson, Flagstaff: buy, school district, restaurants)

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by yukon

NYC just announced they're closing the city schools. We have 230 school districts in AZ (WTH? WHY so many?) and maybe 40 said they would be closing. Whatever.

Anybody heard from or seen the governor? The health department is shut down - no new test results posted for two days. The Maricopa county health director is on vacation. To say Arizona is not taking this very seriously is a gross understatement.

[yukon]

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

CDC recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the U.S.

[Ponderosa]

Thing is most of us here in Phoenix live in detached single family homes. We don't need to touch railings or elevator buttons and our HVAC is not connected to anyone else. We have private transportation when we need it. If we stay home, there is no way we will come down with corona virus. If we just venture out to get food and supplies now and then, our odds are still extremely small.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by yukon

It's going to have the same effect on all cities, not just Phoenix. MLB and NBA game cancelations hurt other cities than just Phoenix. Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Atlanta, etc - they're all going to feel the cancelations. NYC shut down Broadway. Disney Land & Disney World are closed. You don't think those cities are taking a hit in their economy? It's going to hurt the entire economy, not just Phoenix. It's a bit arrogant of Phoenicians to think Phoenix is the only affected city.

Here's the difference: this happens to be a very busy time of year in the Phoenix metro, whereas not so much in other parts of the country. There is speculation that the COVID scare might be lessened once summer approaches, much like influenza. If that's true, many other large cities could return to near normal, but Phoenix typically slows down during the hotter months for obvious reasons. Yes, our economy and the national economy as a whole will be affected, but not so much from the virus itself ... mostly from all the fear mongering & needless panic.

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

In many ways the Phoenix area may be spared a bit since we've a lot of pensioners whose income will not take a hit like low-wage workers catering to the tourist trade in the meccas of Disney or skiing. The best "industry" any city could hope for is us retirees: we don't need schools, we don't need jobs, we don't need a huge transit system to get to/from work in our hub-spoke city layouts and we're settled down to the point we rarely get rowdy enough to call the cops. We just need homes, food, shorts and flip flops, movies, eateries, and lots of nice clean medical facilities all paid for by Medicare. Our money is good, our money is constant and in many ways we are recession-proof. Too bad more cities don't cater to us, we're good business.

Few come here in the summer and once the snowbirds vacate we'll have fewer potential virus carriers.

Here's something you may not be aware of: the Phoenix area is comprised of millions of people, and the majority of them aren't retirees. Most of them are young to middle age who have to commute & work for a living. I don't have anything against retirees, and I actually agree that they're good business ... however, I do have a problem with your "we don't need no nuttin' here" attitude.

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Thing is most of us here in Phoenix live in detached single family homes. We don't need to touch railings or elevator buttons and our HVAC is not connected to anyone else. We have private transportation when we need it. If we stay home, there is no way we will come down with corona virus. If we just venture out to get food and supplies now and then, our odds are still extremely small.

But you don't live in Phoenix. According to what you've posted here for a long time, you live in an exurban part of the metro. That makes a difference. Even so, venturing out to get ordinary items is a challenge for anybody regardless of where they live thanks to all the hoarders emptying all the store shelves.

[yukon]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Anybody heard from or seen the governor? The health department is shut down - no new test results posted for two days. The Maricopa county health director is on vacation. To say Arizona is not taking this very seriously is a gross understatement.

Ducey came out of hiding about 3 hours ago and announced that all schools will be closed 3/16-3/27. He did not address closing any events or businesses.

[Burning Madolf]

County closed the libraries.

[yukon]

Sun Devil Giving Day sponsored by ASU Foundation is postponed.

Medieval Times closing the AZ location March 16-31.

City of Phoenix libraries, indoor park and recreation facilities closed until further notice.

SRP to temporarily stop disconnection for non-payment for all customers and waive late fees.

Phoenix Film Festival postponed.

City of Tempe cancels public special events and most public meetings thru the end of April.

All Arizona schools closed until 3/27. They are working on details for meal programs for kids.

Maricopa County Sheriff Office suspended access to jail facilities for volunteer and/or supplemental services.

City of Phoenix has temporarily halted all financial evictions from city-owned housing.

All Saints Episcopal Day School will be by remote learning until March 30.

UA only offering online classes thru the end of the semester.

Liberty Elementary School district closed until April 3 but classes will be conducted online.

Safeway/Albertson stores closing an hour earlier and opening a hour later than published to allow for restocking.

All Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Stores will be open 6:00 am to 11:00 pm until further notice. No more 24 hour stores at this time.

Basha’s store hours are temporarily 6:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Fry's temporary hours are 6:00 am - 10:00 pm.

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale opening day camps at 3 of its Valley locations to serve community needs starting March 16.

Havasupai Tribal Council suspends tourism from 3/16 to 41/4 in Supai.

Hot Club of San Francisco concert (3/21) and Harold Lopez-Nussa concert (4/25) have been canceled.

Tuff Paradise ended the season 3/14. Live racing will resume in October.

Pat Tillman Foundation Pat’s Run 2020 will be virtual on 4/18.

AZ Department of Corrections has suspended visitation at all state prison complexes, thru 4/15.

Children’s Museum of Phoenix closed until 3/31.

Great Wolf Lodge in Scottsdale closed until April 2.

Phoenix Pride Festival and Parade is postponed, no reschedule date announced yet.

Luke Days Airshow has been canceled.

Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints is suspending all public gatherings until further notice.

Grand Canyon University will move to online classes beginning 3/23. ASU and UA are doing the same. NAU is transitioning to online, no date announced yet.

MLB, NBA, Disney World, Disney Land, MGM/Wynne/Encore Vegas resorts closed temporarily.


I couldn't find any news story on the county (Maricopa?) closing libraries.

[3STRSSN]

Originally Posted by HereOnMars

.... And btw, nothing wrong in staying away from people. I find many of them annoying as anyway.

Trying to stay away from people but looks like everybody now is on “vacation” and ending up here in our tourist town. Stay safe everyone

[belgirl]

The irony is that by closing the schools, most families are dual income. Therefore, many will have to put their kids in daycare or have the grandparents watch the kids. Not sure closing the schools is going to achieve the desired income everyone wants.

[wase4711]

the state didn't do it for any sort of financial reasons, you know..