Senator Lisa Otondo on the pandemic: ‘Yuma County can do better’
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Arizona State Senator Lisa Otondo believes the Yuma County community could do better when it comes to taking the necessary precautions to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
Governor Doug Ducey's stay-at home-order expired on May 15, but a few days later, large groups gathered around to celebrate Memorial Day weekend.
Since then, the number of positive coronavirus in Yuma County have doubled.
As of Wednesday's Yuma County COVID-19 update, the age group of 20-44 years old make up 47 percent of coronavirus cases in Yuma County.
Senator Otondo believes the particular age group is "very vulnerable and much more social."
The senator believes that businesses needed to reopen to keep the economy running, and specifically, save small businesses. But she emphasizes that she doesn't think the re-openings of businesses are the main reason for the spike of positive COVID-19 cases.
She says it's due to people not being able to follow the necessary protocols to stay safe; which includes wearing a mask when in public, washing your hands, and staying home.
If the community doesn't want the government to mandate the safety protocols to prevent spread, Senator Otondo says people need to voluntarily do it and practice the guidelines.
This weekend The Consulate of Mexico, The City of Yuma, and Regional Center for Border Health is hosting a COVID-19 testing blitz at the Yuma Civic Center from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Senator Otondo encourages community members to come out to continue to get tested.
