Photos for May 29: 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 the past couple of weeks: A car parade graduation for a student with cancer, Tumamoc Hill reopens, military fly-over to honor frontline healthcare workers, and another mural for out city streets.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
The iconic Casa Molina bull and matador statue both sport masks on the first full week of the loosening of COVID19 restrictions, May 23, 2020, Tucson, Ariz. The bull previously had a mask on the testicles.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Michelle Leon Cordova, right, mother, and her son Sahuarita High School senior Lino Cordova, whom is fighting cancer, wave at staff members from Diamonds Children Center, friends and the Marana Police Department during a car parade, celebrating Lino's graduation, outside of his home on May 13, 2020 in Sahuarita, Ariz. Cordova stood on the sidewalk while the team from Diamond Children Center, friends and the Marana police department gave Cordova a graduation gar parade. Cordova was given a gift basket with his favorite snacks, gift cards as well as other items he enjoys. The car parade, also, celebrated another graduating senior fighting cancer from Empire High School, Noah Nieto. Nieto, also, received a gift basket with snacks, gift cards and other items Lino enjoys.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Michelle Leon Cordova, right, mother, brings celebration balloons to a car after staff members from Diamonds Children Center, friends and the Marana Police Department celebrate Sahuarita High School senior Lino Cordova, whom is fighting cancer, graduation with a car parade outside of his home on May 13, 2020 in Sahuarita, Ariz. Cordova stood on the sidewalk while the team from Diamond Children Center, friends and the Marana police department gave Cordova a graduation gar parade. Cordova was given a gift basket with his favorite snacks, gift cards as well as other items he enjoys. The car parade, also, celebrated another graduating senior fighting cancer from Empire High School, Noah Nieto. Nieto, also, received a gift basket with snacks, gift cards and other items Lino enjoys.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Personnel from Tucson Medical Center line the heliport to watch A-10's from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base's 355th Wing and F-16's from the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Wing make a pass over the facility, one leg of an area wide community flyover, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Nancy Celix-Campos, right, a respitory therapist at Tucson Medical Center, watches the military flyover with her daughters, Giana, 12, and Jazmyn, 8, from Sentinel Peak on May 14, 2020. Two F-16 Fighting Falcons from Arizona Air National GuardÕs 162nd Wing and two A-10 Thunderbolt II's from the 355th Wing, assigned to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, fly over Tucson area hospitals to honor healthcare personnel and first responders as they are some of the frontline workers dealing with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) head on. "It's been an exhausting two to three months," says Campos, "it's pretty cool, I like how they're going by each hospital."
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Two F-16 Fighting Falcons from Arizona Air National Guard’s 162nd Wing and two A-10 Thunderbolt II's from the 355th Wing, assigned to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, fly over Northwest Medical Center north of Tucson on May 14, 2020.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
A letter carrier portrait on the Ok Market building, located in the Armory Park neighborhood, is adorned with a face mask on May 18, 2020.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Rosemary Garcia waits for a family member outside of a store at Park Place Mall, 5870 E. Broadway Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz. on May 19, 2020. Malls reopened today under CDC guidelines and Gov. Ducey's new rules for businesses due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Park Place Mall has signs throughout the mall reminding customers to keep a six feet distance as well as hand sanitizer stations near each entrance. About half of the tables in the food court have been removed to allow for social distances as well as less than half of the stores have opened with new guidelines. Of the stores open, only 10 customers are allowed to shop in each store at a time.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Pat Schlote steams clothing before it is put on the sales floor at the Golden Goose Thrift Shop in Catalina, Ariz., on May 21, 2020.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Ada Contreras, teaching assistant, looks through containers while reorganizing toys at Herencia Guadalupana Lab School, 6740 S. in Tucson, Ariz. on May 21, 2020. As Child care centers begin to re-open when they are ready, Herencia Guadalupana Lab School is reorganizing and cleaning everything in the facility before re-opening on June 2. To allow for social distancing and decrease the amount of items children touch, Herencia Guadalupana Lab School has sheds where items will go as well as placing items in containers organized by category.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Jen Martinez, right, softball coach, teaches Skylar Reilly about hitting during a session at Centerfield Baseball Academy, 5120 S. Julian Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on May 21, 2020. After re-opening on Monday, Centerfield Baseball Academy has implemented new policies in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic such as wearing masks, cleaning, signage, hand sanitizer and limiting the amount of people inside the facility.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Karl Bosma, left, and George Cantua, with facilities and maintenance, lay down stickers to mark six-foot separation distance around one of the baggage carousels, part of the efforts at Tucson International Airport to work within the restrictions of COVID19, May 22, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
A lone passenger waits for a flight near one of the shuttered restaurants in the B Gates before Memorial Day at Tucson International Airport on May 22, 2020.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Drew Cooper on the stage in the St. Philip's Plaza courtyard, May 22, 2020, Tucson, Ariz., where live music is back on the schedule.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Many people visit Tumamoc Hill during the first day of Tumamoc's re-opening in Tucson, Ariz. on May 25, 2020. After being closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Tumamoc Hill re-opened with some modifications. There are hand sanitizer stations throughout the hike to the top as well as arrows, spaced 10-ft apart, lined up and down the hill. Some runners, hikers and walkers are also wearing masks during their hike. "The steps we are taking aim to provide our community with needed exercise, connection to our beautiful desert and a sense of comfort in such a trying time, while balancing the fact that gathering as a community endangers each of us and our loved ones. This is an unprecedented challenge that we are taking extremely seriously," said Benjamin T. Wilder, director of Tumamoc Hill. Visitors are also asked to limit their group to three people and to not touch the gate at the top of the hill- a tradition for some who make it to the top. "This is a time when we need to establish new traditions and adapt in a creative manner that embraces empathy, unity, care and patience," Wilder said.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Pen Macias, artist, works on part 2 of a mural for a client on E. Broadway Rd., between S. Columbus Blvd. and S. Alvernon Way, in Tucson, Ariz. on May 25, 2020. Macias, known as The Desert Pen, has been working on her clients mural for the past three months. "It's the one thing I love, I have a passion for and the only thing I could be happy doing," said Macias. The mural represents her client, a single mother of four who works in the health care field. One half of the mural is dedicated to the connection between mothers and their children. The other half is dedicated to the connection between nurses and patients. The client wanted some positivity in the mural to show how nurses give a piece of themselves to their patients hence the puzzle pieces in the nurse and the patients, said Macias.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Christina Cortinas, posing at her home, May 28, 2020, Tucson, Ariz., with a photo of her and her mother, Catherine Rodriguez, in San Diego, 1991. Rodriguez is currently in assisted living and fighting COVID19. Cortinas hasn't seen her mother in months, the longest such span in her life.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Ruben Lopez looks through handouts while attending a Eviction Resource Fair with his family outside the Pima County Justice Court.
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With about 20% saying "no" to a return to schools, the financial impact could be worrisome; fewer students in classes could mean less public aid for Arizona schools.
Many Tucson parents are telling Tucson's largest school district they want choices when it comes to sending their kids back to campuses as educators share concerns about returning in the absence of a coronavirus vaccine.
It will also provide an early warning system about levels of the coronavirus in the community if there's another spike in the fall, University of Arizona experts say.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 20,123, the Arizona Department of Health Services said Monday.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 21,250 — an increase of 1,127 from the day prior, the Arizona Department of Health Services said Tuesday.
Tucson parents are telling TUSD they want choices when it comes to sending their kids back to school as teachers share concerns about returning without a coronavirus vaccine.
The hospitalizations figure, a record, comes amid what has been a steady upward trend in cases since the Arizona Department of Health Services began tracking the numbers in early April.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 22,223 — an increase of 973 from the day prior, the Arizona Department of Health Services said Wednesday.
Players at Desert Diamond Casinos and Casino Del Sol can expect to see a reduction in available slot machines, the required use of face masks, and social distancing measures.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 22,753 — an increase of 530 from the day prior, the Arizona Department of Health Services said Thursday.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ are currently providing an update on COVID-19 in Arizona.
The governor acknowledged the number of cases of people contracting the virus has increased in the weeks following his decisions. But he said that was to be expected, what with more people getting tested.
The Arizona curfew rules by Gov. Doug Ducey allows businesses to stay open after 8 p.m., but many are closing anyway — an additional hardship amid the coronavirus shutdown and restrictions.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 24,332, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 26,889, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.
Last year was the second-deadliest when it comes to heatstroke deaths for children left in hot vehicles, according to a national nonprofit.
With weekly increases in cases hitting the highest level yet across the state, Arizona hospitals are seeing more patients in ERs, more admitted for overnight stays and more needing ventilators.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 27,678, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 28,296, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.
As first-time unemployment claims rose, Arizona recorded a record number of intensive care unit beds in use by COVID-19 patients, as well as a record number of COVID-19 cases in hospital emergency rooms.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 29,852, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.
Arizona is dealing with a surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations that experts say is likely tied to Gov. Doug Ducey's ending of statewide closure orders in mid-May.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 31,264, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.
Gov. Doug Ducey is giving an update on COVID-19 in Arizona.
Cara Christ, Arizona's health director, said state is "not going to be able to stop the spread'' of COVID-19, "and so we can't stop living as well.''
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 32,918, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.
Arizona Schools Chief Kathy Hoffman works to address digital inequity as Tucson's largest school district plans for the upcoming school year.
A public health expert at the University of Arizona is “absolutely convinced” the virus is spreading faster than it was several weeks ago, despite Gov. Doug Ducey downplaying the surge.
Across Pima County, 3,944 cases of COVID-19 have now been confirmed, up 34 cases from the day before.
Weekly award for good deeds in the community.
The donation was part of Raytheon's $5 million commitment to Feeding America to help local food banks across the country.
Tucson lawmaker: Discrimination ruling a partial victory, but state law still needed to protect gays
Monday's court ruling catches the rest of the state up to cities like Tucson, Phoenix, Tempe and Flagstaff whose anti-discrimination laws already cover sexual orientation.
The effort to replace Lisa Royal is set to begin on Tuesday.
Statewide, 2,392 new coronavirus cases were reported Tuesday. Across Pima County, 4,329 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, up 385 cases from the day before.
The number of Arizonans receiving unemployment benefits is on the rise as Arizona reports record number of coronavirus cases.
Across Pima County, 4,385 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, up 56 cases from the day before.
The exact details of the order by Mayor Regina Romero, including when it will go into effect and how it will be enforced are being drafted by city attorney, officials said.
Gov. Doug Ducey is giving an update on COVID-19 in Arizona.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey had insisted on a statewide policy not requiring masks, but changed course Wednesday under pressure from growth in COVID-19 cases and pleas from local officials. Mayor Regina Romero says Tucson will require masks to be worn in public.
Todavía no se sabe cuándo entrará en vigencia la medida ni cómo se aplicará.
In an abrupt about-face, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey gives local officials the power to enact and enforce mask requirements. He was under pressure from rising COVID-19 cases and from officials including Tucson's Mayor Regina Romero, who said she will require masks be worn in public. Pima County will also consider a a mask mandate.
A record number of coronavirus cases were reported today statewide. Across Pima County, 4,682 cases have now been confirmed, up 297 cases from the day before.
Mayor Regina Romero has signed a proclamation requiring Tucsonans 2 years of age and older to wear a mask in public when they can't constantly distance themselves from others. Businesses whose workers interact with the public must require the employees to wear masks, to try to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Mayor Regina Romero's order may be short-lived, as the Pima County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to meet Friday to discuss a mask ordinance for the entire county.
Fire N' Smoke and Danny's Baboquivari Lounge say the rise in confirmed coronavirus cases poses a threat to their customers and employees.
Employment gains were seen in food service, bar industry, as well as beauty salons and barber shops.
Across Pima County, 5,019 cases of coronavirus have now been reported, up 337 cases from the day before.
The county said it will "base any actions it takes from recommendations made by the Back to Business Road to Recovery subcommittee," which held a meeting earlier today.
Across Pima County, 5,313 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, up 294 cases from the day before.
Across Pima County, 5,313 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, up 294 cases from the day before.
Across Pima County, 5,587 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, up 217 cases from the day before. No new deaths were reported in Pima County today.
The biggest group of positive test results in Arizona is now among those age 20 through 44, health officials say.
Across Pima County, 6,089 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, up 502 cases from the day before. Five deaths were reported in Pima County today.
All of Pima County’s hospitals and medical centers are now using the state’s health-care emergency hotline to take in or move those seriously or critically ill with COVID-19.
Classes, including finals exams, will be done online after the holiday, the University of Arizona says in a new plan.
The state said 53 of the 79 deaths reported today are from death certificate matching.
The plan announced Wednesday by Gov. Doug Ducey includes $200 million from the federal CARES Act to protect schools against budget shortfalls due to expected enrollment declines caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
New Jersey and Connecticut also will require a 14-day quarantine for visitors arriving from states like Arizona with "significant community spread."
Across Pima County, 6,546 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, up 228 cases from the day before.
Gov. Doug Ducey is giving an update on COVID-19 in Arizona.
Ducey defended President Trump's recent rally of mostly unmasked supporters and Vice President Mike Pence's planned visit to Tucson — even as he said the only way Arizona will stop the upward trend of COVID-19 cases is if people mask up and stay home.
Across Pima County, 6,836 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, up 290 cases from the day before.
Several Scottsdale bars and restaurants labeled “bad actors” by Gov. Doug Ducey have shut down temporarily, and they’re pushing back on his allegations they disregarded safety protocols meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.
With Arizona's rate of COVID-19 infection still rising many Tucson residents are wondering how long insurance providers will keep covering telephone and online medical visits.
Today's data doesn't include all of the new cases because a lab partner didn't submit their daily report in time, the state health department said.
Gov. Doug Ducey is giving an update on COVID-19 in Arizona.
Some states, like Arizona, that have been reporting the highest number of new COVID-19 cases experienced steeper declines in major restaurant chain customer transactions
Because a lab partner didn't submit their daily report in time on Monday, the health department said today’s data “may result in an increase in reported new cases that is larger than would be expected.”
There's no guarantee children will be in classrooms, or that it will be safe to open schools on Aug. 17, says Kathy Hoffman, Arizona's schools chief.
With 4,878 new cases, the statewide total is 84,092, said the state health department. There have been 280 known COVID-19 deaths in the Tucson area
Official says Arizona should consider a sustained two-week drop in the coronavirus case load, which has yet to occur, in deciding when to open schools.
Across Pima County, 8,577 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, up 190 cases from the day before.
Across Pima County, 9,024 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, up 447 cases from the day before.
Across Pima County, 9,873 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, up 252 cases from the day before.
Across Pima County, 10,184 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, up 311 cases from the day before.
Across Pima County, 10,485 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, up 301 cases from the day before.
There were nearly 27,000 new confirmed cases in Arizona in the most recent seven-day period available, a Capitol Media Services analysis of statewide data show.
Across Pima County, 10,835 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, up 350 cases from the day before.
Gov. Doug Ducey is giving an update on COVID-19 in Arizona.
Across Pima County, 11,172 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, up 337 cases from the day before.
Weather officials advise residents to stay indoors this weekend, if possible, but the same can't be said for firefighters battling the Bighorn Fire amid expected 110-degree-plus daytime highs.
The situation has gotten scary at Carrillo’s Tucson Mortuary, says April Seybert.
Twenty-nine private and charter schools or corporate headquarters in Tucson received between $11 million and $27 million in federal coronavirus loans, collectively.
A total of 37% of Arizonans questioned say they strongly disapprove of how Gov. Doug Ducey is managing the COVID-19 situation, with another 26% saying they somewhat disapprove.
Many students in the Tucson Unified School District could be supervised by monitors who will be tasked with ensuring pandemic safety guidelines in in a combination teaching plan for online and in-person learning.
The University of Arizona is hosting a live briefing that will provide information about the campus reentry plan.
Lawyers for the Arizona Board of Regents say bars encourage "unhealthy personal behaviors" among college students.
The unexpected work-from-home workforce and its elimination of the daily commute is one of the main factors boosting the demand for new homes in Tucson area.
Lawsuit by landlords and mobile-home parks claims Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey lacks constitutional authority to block evictions ordered by judges. It also says Ducey is violating property and contract rights with his emergency order during COVID-19 pandemic.
Benjamin Little is one of 395 veterans and employees at the Tucson VA Medical Center to contract coronavirus since the pandemic began.
Inmate says he was moved between the general population and COVID ward as staff disagreed on whether he had the virus. Ultimately they decided he did.
Beginning Monday, Sept. 14, more than 430,000 Arizonans who have lost their jobs will have to live on no more than $240 a week.
Pima County, in collaboration with the University of Arizona, will recommend a 14-day shelter in place for all students living on or near campus to help reduce community spread of coronavirus. The recommendation comes as COVID-19 cases continue to rise among UA students, who returned for the start of the semester last month.
The decline in the state's jobless rate is not due to a bunch of Arizonan's finding work. Rather, it's attributed to a large number of people reporting that they were not looking for jobs last month.
Arizonans typically don’t take influenza as seriously as people do elsewhere. But this year that could mean overwhelming hospital workers already busy with coronavirus patients.
The Tucson area's travel and tourism agency said its fiscal year that started in July 2019 was booming before COVID-19 shut things down in the spring.
Arizona's top GOP lawmakers have ordered a closer look at whether the governor's powers should be curtailed, seven months into the COVID-19 emergency declared by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey that is curtailing business activities.
That follows a 5.9% figure for August and 10.7% the month before.
UA President Robert C. Robbins said the nation's gift will enable researchers to create new, more efficient, effective and affordable COVID-19 tests.
Twenty-nine private and charter schools or corporate headquarters in Tucson received between $11 million and $27 million in federal coronavirus loans, collectively.
Home customers will be paying an average of about $5 more per month, but more will qualify for Tucson Electric's low-income rate program.
In recent years U.S. refugee resettlement numbers have dropped significantly.
They met during a work-related Zoom call in February. By Christmas they'd married in a wedding that was socially distant and partly online.
Federal CARES Act provides some tax incentives to make donations to qualified charities
Gov. Doug Ducey will give his penultimate State of the State address Monday, Jan. 11, from the safety of his own office.
Businesses including Cobra Arcade Bar, the HighWire Lounge, The Maverick and Union Public House say the curfew is unlawful and may force them to close for good.
A collection of photo galleries with images by Arizona Daily Star photographers taken during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020-21.
As travelers return to the sky, Tucson International Airport has shifted from "strongly recommending" face masks to requiring them. The airport has also taken other measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Even with absences, emergency dispatching services continued as expected during outbreak, city officials said.
The neighborhood market and grocer had closed up shop during the statewide coronavirus shutdown but hoped to reopen in May.
Dan Amaro, 53, was one of more than 40 employees who recently tested positive for the coronavirus during an outbreak at the United Parcel Service facility, union officials say.
Across Pima County, 7,086 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, up 250 cases from the day before.
Arts Express has had to come up with different online efforts to keep its arts programs going during the coronavirus pandemic.
As consumers shift their spending habits, a big benefactor has become discount and resale retailers.
The hill popular with Tucsonans looking for a place to exercise could close if more users do not comply with mask requirements, officials warned.