Photos for April 23: Tucson gets by during Coronavirus Pandemic
Tucson area residents and businesses grapple with closures, restrictions, shortages and sundry challenges during coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Among the bright spots this week: Artists still working and creating, UA med students tending to the homeless, food donations to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and healthcare workers, and bike shops keeping busy with customers wanting to get out and exercise.
Tucson, coronavirus
Erika Munoz, owner of Seis Kitchen, hands over a bag of meals to Michael Gallagher Carondelet, a registered nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital, to distribute to other nurses and hospital workers, on April 23, 2020. The donation was made in conjunction with A+C (Athletes/Artists+Causes) Foundation's “Project Frontline.” In two deliveries, 400 meals (200 poc chuck chicken and 200 puerco verde burritos) will be given to medical personnel at Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital. The particular donation was made possible by the Houston Astros' Pitching Coach Brent Strom, who lives in Tucson.
Tucson, coronavirus
Hospital workers wheel in carts full of catered meals donated by Seis Kitchen to Carondelet St. Joseph's Hospital, on April 23, 2020. The donation was made in conjunction with A+C (Athletes/Artists+Causes) Foundation's “Project Frontline.” In two deliveries, 400 meals (200 poc chuck chicken and 200 puerco verde burritos) will be given to medical personnel at Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital. The particular donation was made possible by the Houston Astros' Pitching Coach Brent Strom, who lives in Tucson.
Tucson, coronavirus
Kristi Hall, a sixth grade teacher at Desert Sky Middle School, participates in planning a lesson with a fellow teacher on Zoom, at her home on April 17, 2020. Schools in the Vail School District are supposed to open in July due to their year-round school calendar. Plans are being made for the possibility of students returning to the physical classroom.
Tucson, coronavirus
Bry Kelley, a warehouse assistant, places a pallet filled with food down next to other items donated to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona on on April 21, 2020. Forty-one thousand pounds of flour, pasta and canned goods were donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The donation is part of an ongoing global effort by the church to address immediate needs of people and orgainzations due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Tucson, coronavirus
A pallet of food is placed down next to other items donated to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona on on April 21, 2020. Forty-one thousand pounds of flour, pasta and canned goods were donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The donation is part of an ongoing global effort by the church to address immediate needs of people and orgainzations due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Tucson, coronavirus
Christian Bergman, 4th year University of Arizona medical student, takes the temperature of a patient outside the Z Mansion, 288 N. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 19, 2020. Medical students from the University of Arizona and other universities volunteer to help the homeless population with the growing concerns of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) within the homeless population. “This is a vulnerable population in our community; they can’t defend themselves in a society already running short on supplies and resources,” said Bergman. Medical students and medical personal help by giving out food, drinks with electrolytes and masks to the homeless. Those who are sick, medically impaired or have been exposed to those with COVID-19 are isolated outdoors in tents on the property. As of Sunday April 19, there were 13 individuals whom are isolated in tents.
Tucson, coronavirus
Lekha Chesnick, 1st year medical student at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, talks with a homeless man (whom choose to not give his name) outside of the Z Mansion, 288 N. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 19, 2020. Medical students from the University of Arizona and other universities volunteer to help the homeless population with the growing concerns of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) within the homeless population. Medical students and medical personal help by giving out food, drinks with electrolytes and masks to the homeless. Those who are sick, medically impaired or have been exposed to those with COVID-19 are isolated outdoors in tents on the property. As of Sunday April 19, there were 13 individuals whom are isolated in tents.
Tucson, coronavirus
Christian Bergman, 4th year University of Arizona medical student, checks on a patient outside the Z Mansion, 288 N. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 19, 2020. Medical students from the University of Arizona and other universities volunteer to help the homeless population with the growing concerns of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) within the homeless population. “This is a vulnerable population in our community; they can’t defend themselves in a society already running short on supplies and resources,” said Bergman. Medical students and medical personal help by giving out food, drinks with electrolytes and masks to the homeless. Those who are sick, medically impaired or have been exposed to those with COVID-19 are isolated outdoors in tents on the property. As of Sunday April 19, there were 13 individuals whom are isolated in tents.
Tucson, coronavirus
Elliott Dumont, owner of Roadrunner Bicycles, 6177 E. Broadway Blvd., works on a customer's bike on April 22, 2020. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has not slowed down bike shops. With many people at home, they are bringing bicycles for repairs and buying new ones for exercise. Dumont says he's booked out till the first week of May for tuneups on bikes.
Tucson, coronavirus
Elliot DuMont, owner of Roadrunner Bicycles, 6177 E. Broadway Blvd., far left, helps Ethan Sasz, far right, and his son, Evan, 10, with a mountain bike purchase on April 22, 2020. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has not slowed down bike shops. With many people at home, they are bringing bicycles for repairs and buying new ones for exercise. Dumont says he's booked out till the first week of May for tuneups on bikes.
Tucson, coronavirus
Marcella Montoya waits in her vehicle as general manger David Kessler brings out her order, as Bear Canyon Pizza serving their customers despite COVID-19 restrictions, April 22, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson, coronavirus
Kitchen manger Koa Hoffmann tosses dough while working up a crust for a call-in order as he and few others keep cooking at Bear Canyon Pizza despite COVID-19 restrictions, April 22, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson, coronavirus
Alvaro Enciso, a local artist, works in one of his studios at his home on April 9, 2020. Every Tuesday Enciso travels into the Sonoran desert to post crosses where migrants have died after crossing illegally over the U.S./Mexico border as part of a project he's titled Donde Mueren Los Suenos / Where Dreams Die. With the outbreak of the coronavirus disease his six year project is on hold and instead he works on other artwork at home.
Tucson, coronavirus
Dolly Spalding works on a pen and ink drawing in her apartment at the Redondo Tower Apartments on April 7, 2020. During her quarantine, Spalding has been creating drawings of all the Greek goddesses. She is collaborating with Emlyn Boyle, an artist from Ireland, and plans to publish a book with Boyle's writings.
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Kelly Presnell
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UA students are working at sites including, Manzo, Borton and Miles elementary schools as well as Tucson High Magnet School to provide free produce to the community.
Tucsonans donated thousands of N95 masks to medical professionals in China earlier this year. When the pandemic escalated here, China's health-care workers returned the favor and sent thousands of unused masks back to Tucson.
When last we heard from Dr. Joseph Rizza, the 72-year-old SaddleBrooke resident was stuck on board the Celebrity Solstice as it circled Australia on its way to Singapore.
The “new blue-collar workforce,” here includes traditional jobs, like manual labor, but now also includes members of the gig economy, such as retail and service workers, musicians and artists.
Here's a look at today's map of COVID-19 cases in Pima County and Arizona.
Takeout model didn't work for restaurant known for its pies and breakfast menu.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 6,716, the Arizona Department of Health Services said Monday.
Here's a look at today's map of COVID-19 cases in Pima County and Arizona.
Some PCC students will soon see $400 to $1,000 in aid during the coronavirus pandemic.
The UA and PCC are finalizing plans for virtual commencement ceremonies next month.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 6,948, the Arizona Department of Health Services said Tuesday.
A plan by the University of Arizona to test 250,000 Arizonans for COVID-19 antibodies comes as scientists are still debating how much protection against future infection a positive result means, and for how long.
Thirteen interdisciplinary groups will work on the projects to address all sorts of challenges caused by the coronavirus.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 7,202, the Arizona Department of Health Services said Wednesday.
Here's a look at today's map of COVID-19 cases in Pima County and Arizona.
Many retirement communities and assisted living homes have tightened their visitor policies, but some Tucsonans are still able to see their loved-ones in a social distancing-approved way.
Pima County released a map Wednesday showing the approximate location of positive COVID-19 tests to show how the virus has spread throughout t…
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 7,648, the Arizona Department of Health Services said Thursday.
Here's a look at today's map of COVID-19 cases in Pima County and Arizona.
UA says it will honor protective measures in place while giving students a "full on-campus experience."
Dr. Joseph Rizza’s ship has finally come in.
Meanwhile, attorney general issues formal legal opinion that Arizonans who assemble to worship or protest don't have to keep six feet between them under Gov. Doug Ducey's order.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 7,962, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.
Here's a look at today's map of COVID-19 cases in Pima County and Arizona.
Sole proprietors and other self-employed workers struggle with COVID-19 jobless benefits and loans as state and federal programs restart.
An updated plan taking effect on May 11, shows UA employees making less than $44,500 are now exempt from furloughs.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 8,919, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.
Here's a look at today's map of COVID-19 cases in Pima County and Arizona.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 9,305, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.
Here's a look at today's map of COVID-19 cases in Pima County and the rest of Arizona.
Loans of up to $25,000 are available to businesses with 50 or fewer employees.
The state claims additional information from the Department of Health Services would be a breach of personal information.
In an effort led by City of Tucson Councilmember Lane Santa Cruz, the lighting of the “A” would coincide with National Nurses Week and National Hospitals Week.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 9,707, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.
A group of teens threw a small "isolation prom." They wanted an opportunity to don their prom clothes and have one last hurrah together, ending a high school career they didn't know would so abruptly come to a close.
Here's a look at today's map of COVID-19 cases in Pima County and the rest of Arizona.
Flagstaff resident says state had scientific information that showed COVID-19 was no more deadly than a host of other diseases.
Records being sought by news outlets are not public, said a lawyer for the state in a lawsuit over data health officials are releasing about COVID-19 in long-term care facilities.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 9,945, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.
Some lawmakers say the coronavirus pandemic makes it necessary to call this legislative session over, while others say there's too much left to do.
Here's a look at today's map of COVID-19 cases in Pima County and the rest of Arizona.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 10,526, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.
Here's a look at today's map of COVID-19 cases in Pima County and the rest of Arizona.
Funding will provide $2 million for small business continuity grants; $3 million for assistance to workers and families, including rent assistance and gas and food cards; and $500,000 for nonprofit continuity grants.
Friday's order does not quash the entire case, but it's likely a Flagstaff's man lawsuit over the order is finished.
Checks are finally going out to Arizona's self-employed, independent contractors, and gig economy workers who are ineligible for the state's regular unemployment insurance program.
A man returning from a basketball tournament in Tucson brought the coronavirus to the Navajo highlands, doctors say.
A fund at the University of Arizona has helped more than 1,000 students who needed help covering rent, utilities, medications or buying food.
The organization has decided not to host any in-person celebrations for the 2020 calendar year.
The end of the virus restrictions comes as Arizona's health director said Tuesday that it isn't known whether COVID-19 has peaked in the state.
Tucsonans donated thousands of N95 masks to medical professionals in China earlier this year. When the pandemic escalated here, China's health-care workers returned the favor and sent thousands of unused masks back to Tucson.
Banks and credit unions serving Tucson kept up their ratings in Bauer Financial's recent report, though income fell last year at many institutions.
A collection of photo galleries with images by Arizona Daily Star photographers taken during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020-21.
Those who qualify for federal — but not state —jobless benefits include part-timers, independent contractors and others.
Two restaurants are already open while a third could be serving takeout by mid-May.
More federal help is on the way for small businesses hit hard by COVID-19 — but again, the money could run out extremely quickly.
273 people in Arizona have died from COVID-19, state health officials say.
If Jesus Medina had a chance to speak with his aunt one last time, he would simply say, “I’m sorry.”
Amy Burke volunteered to help stricken NYC COVID-19 patients, faces horrors and humanity
Tucson’s public schools have been forced to make a huge effort to narrow the digital divide among students since campuses across Arizona were ordered shut during the pandemic — and are doing so with nearly no help from the state.
There has been a nearly 17% drop in serious crimes between March 1 and April 16 compared to the same period last year, Tucson police say.
Shutdowns from the coronavirus pandemic aren’t delaying work by construction crews handling transportation projects across the state. In fact,…
To cover a portion of the unexpected costs, TUSD has had to dip into funds intended to increase the number of librarians and music teachers for the upcoming school year, and to refurbish music and sports equipment.
Arizona hopes to test up to 60,000 people for COVID-19 in the next three weekends. Gov. Doug Ducey has to decide this week whether to continue his stay-at-home order.
Weekly award for good deeds in the community.
When the new director comes on board, interim director Dr. Bob England will stay on as a part-time physician to see Pima County through the initial phase of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry says one solution to the large number of people out of work is to retrain them to do something else.
"Some communities may open more quickly than ours, and, conversely, we may outpace others," say Pima County Board Chair Ramón Valadez and Administrator Chuck Huckelberry. "It’s all a matter of the data and the facts."
Dr. Theresa Cullen, former Assistant U.S. Surgeon General, will replace Dr. Bob England as the head of the Pima County Health Department.
OPINION: "Our sacrifices will be wasted if we rush to re-open," two experts say.
Gov. Doug Ducey said he's allowing some retail businesses to open next Monday, and that the number of businesses allowed to re-open will expand in the middle of May.
A Marana High School junior conducted a survey asking which coronavirus mitigation measures people were following. The responses she got, although not scientific, showed people were largely following social distancing and other measures recommended by public health departments.
As quickly as coronavirus cases are resolved throughout Pima County, new cases surface, the video shows.
Municipalities in Pima County have not issued a single citation that's part of emergency proclamations to fight the spread of COVID-19.
The guidelines come two days after Gov. Doug Ducey agreed to relax his rules about what kinds of Arizona businesses are allowed to stay open.
Marko Trickovic wants to force a special election to remove Ducey from office before his term is over at the end of 2022.
Linda Patterson had a fever, a headache, chest pain and weakness.
A part of the UA’s Department of Family and Community Medicine, Sims was an anthropologist seeking to improve medical care among ethnic populations.
Numerous employees at a Tucson funeral home contracted coronavirus, but experts say it is unlikely they were infected by the body of a COVID-19 victim.
Tucson officials are thinking outside the box when it comes to devising ways to use the $95 million from the federal CARES Act that the city r…
The money will most immediately be used to pay staff and suppliers, hospital official says.
Twenty off-duty Tucson Police officers have answered a call for volunteers from Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona. The officers are delivering meals during the coronavirus pandemic.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey says the state worked with industry leaders and public health officials to get to this phase of re-opening.
Mi Nidito, Barrio Bread owner, Boca Tacos and Hamilton Distillers came up short in the contest, which is akin to the Academy Awards but for foodies.
Worst-case scenario for city means heavy cuts to public safety, transit and jobs.
Additional coronavirus antibody testing is now available for community members, health-care workers and first responders through the University of Arizona.
The city budget did not take into account things like $95.6 million Tucson received through the federal CARES act, and $44.3 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Danilo Cardenas Leyva, a U.S. citizen, reportedly told the officer: "you are sick too" with the coronavirus.
State officials say the team of experts from the University of Arizona and ASU to "pause" work so it can switch to secret federal modeling figures to make decisions about fighting the COVID-19 spread.
Pima County official says bars aren't designed for social distancing, which could make their wait to reopen longer.
The new group asks the UA to shifts more of the cost-cutting to higher-paid employees and for an independent audit to look for alternative cost-saving possibilities.
Most Tucson area bike shops are open as "essential services."
The Arizona Department of Health Services announced Thursday that it has established "an ongoing partnership" with experts from UA and ASU to continue to provide predictions of the spread of COVID-19 locally.
State health department reversed course and told team to continue its work predicting COVID-19's spread.
After crossing through a port of entry, drivers and passengers get out of their cars and walk through inflatable tunnels on the side of the road to help ward of the virus from Americans.
Masks and social distancing were the norm Friday at shops across metro Tucson reopened Friday.
Opening their dining rooms next week will take more than just flipping on the "Open" sign.
Religious gatherings have been listed as a constitutionally protected essential activity in Governor Doug Ducey’s executive orders regarding activity restriction during the coronavirus pandemic.
Yaqui and the Tohono O’odham leaders included additional requirements in their executive orders to ensure their communities stay as safe as possible during the pandemic.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 11,380, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.
Pima County says the measures are intended to protect food service employees and customers as much as possible.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 11,736, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.
Watch today's news conference covering the state's response to the pandemic.
Report anticipates Tucson will draw in skilled workers fleeing highly-populated areas post-COVID-19, and the firms that would be expected to follow.