PHOENIX — On Tuesday, Governor Doug Ducey announced that his stay-at-home executive order will expire on May 15. Ducey is replacing the order with guidance that he says aligns with criteria issued by the White House and Centers For Disease Control.
Pools, spas, and gyms can reopen on Wednesday with physical distancing and enhanced sanitation requirements. Major league sports can resume limited reopening, without fans, this Saturday, May 16.
Although the governor’s plan is in keeping with a goal of mitigating the risk of COVID-19 resurgence, and protecting vulnerable populations, politicians and pundits found fault or offered praise depending on political ideology.
Today’s announcement by governor Ducey is a step in the right direction. Looking out for vulnerable individuals while allowing our great state to get back to normal is what must occur. We cannot continue to destroy our economy and our livelihoods over this invisible enemy.
— Travis Grantham (@TravisGrantham) May 12, 2020
When you learn that gyms are re-opening before Governor Ducey announces it. pic.twitter.com/6sttecCUrM
— Rebecca Rios (@Rios_Rebecca) May 12, 2020
Tomorrow you can get pumped up and work on those flabby muscles.
— Warren Petersen (@votewarren) May 13, 2020
“We are going to do things the Arizona Way. But FIRST, thank you, Dr Fauci and Dr Birx for all you’ve given to our efforts.” – Gov. Doug Ducey
— James T Harris (@JamesTHarris) May 12, 2020
Gov @dougducey continues to provide the right touch in response to #COVID19 for Arizonans. Today’s announcements contained in this thread as well as he and his staff’s continuous work with Legislators over the last several weeks is greatly appreciated. #ReturnStronger https://t.co/yHw1jFJ3T2
— T.J. Shope (@TJShopeforAZ) May 13, 2020
Wow: @dougducey says he “doesn’t know why people are protesting” prison inmate conditions during #COVID19. We know why: they want us to look the other way, #TheArizonaWay. Help our Gov. and the Dept. of Corrections understand *reality* by RT this message from a Florence inmate. pic.twitter.com/AnrQgVSluA
— Andrés Cano (@AndresCanoAZ) May 12, 2020
IT’S OVER!@dougducey takes major leadership role opening up Arizona. Stay at home is over.
Chatter Phoenix will try to extend shutdown – I will never let this happen!
Go out and enjoy your life again!
— Sal DiCiccio (@Sal_DiCiccio) May 12, 2020
Observation: listening to Governor Ducey’s press conferences over the past few weeks, there are 2 reporters that regularly sound very combative in their tone. It is possible to challenge him without sounding like he stole your lunch money
— Jeremy Foster (@Houston923FM) May 12, 2020
Remember, if YOU think it’s too soon to go out, stay home. The Governor’s green light only gives more options to people who want more options. For six years all I’ve heard is that #DougDucey is a cautious person & this is consistent with that.
— Constantin Querard (@CQuerard) May 13, 2020
#TooSoon. https://t.co/fqaqIsYfKL
— Victoria Steele (@VictoriaLSteele) May 13, 2020
This media coverage is ridiculous. This is what they do. They take one instance out of thousands and try to make it the norm. So 1 bar had people that weren’t socially distanced. There were thousands of businesses that followed the guidelines.
— Jeff Weninger (@JeffWeninger) May 12, 2020
The Governor’s message just now is ignore the news/facts/data/expert advice and trust my office. We know what’s best for you and whether it’s safe to re-open our state and will tell you what to believe. Meanwhile, experts say . . . https://t.co/2LcfxK9mas
— Sen. Martín Quezada (@SenQuezada29) May 12, 2020
Literally tweeting the opposite of what was said. https://t.co/1bKYtQGDSD
— Daniel Scarpinato (@Scarpinato) May 12, 2020