COVID-19 Update

Tombstone AZ Assistance

One unusual fact with COVID-19 is a person who's infected with the virus, but doesn't yet have symptoms, can give it to others through their breath. That's why distancing is effective. That's why Wearing A Mask Is Effective. As much as it's painful for families financially, and for towns like Tombstone. But in the end protecting your health and your family and others is the most important action. And to get this under control - even gone, so life could finally get back to normal. Here is helpful information to make your own judgment on how to handle this situation.

Ourselves, having worked in the Medical Field, as licensed professionals (Respiratory Care Practitioners - Respiratory Therapists - who manage those ventilators/life support machines) before retiring - we know what we've chosen to do. We have researched this pandemic information with a view to sticking with the science, and presenting it objectively. Of course, you'll make your own decision.

But it is troubling that almost everyone interviewed for a recent Cochise County newspaper felt wearing a mask was a "personal choice" because they have Libertarian-like ideas. And refused wearing one. That's unfortunate, as it shows a lack of understanding of how respiratory virus spreads. I have Personal Experience with that. But here's how this even more troubling virus spreads:

• Spreading by inhalation within approx. 3+ feet when the virus stays in the air for up to three hours, maybe even longer some studies are now showing. 
• And it can get into respiratory systems through the nose, mouth or even eyes when attaching to facial skin. 
• A person can have it without symptoms & spread it to others - in other words, they're "silent carriers." 
• How long they can be such a carrier still seems undetermined - as are many other things about this virus.
• All it takes is for one to have it in this stealth manner to begin to an outbreak - especially in a crowd.
• And not only old people die from it - but still: plenty of "old" people are also loved relatives, people that are cared about, who have a good, valuable life, & who may have it carried to them in a stealth manner by a younger person.
• Here's More Detail> on why wearing masks applies to Libertarian Views, if you need that.

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Tombstone City Information

• Lots of details are viewed here on Arizona, your own state & the country's Current Statistics>
• And then there is the CDC's own U.S. Cases with a Vivid Color-Coded Map
• Access the States own Covid Info> - Click on Cochise County for the Area's info
• Every month in our Tombstone Tips Newsletter, we've been tracking the Data specific to Tombstone - if you want to keep up to date on that, Subscribe to our Newsletter>

We update this page regularly trying to keep up with it all. If you have any particular questions, concerns or don't understand something, please reach out to us. We'll try to help. Please Contact Us to inform us, and we'll see what we can do.

Cochise County stats have been still been climbing, and Tombstone has some Cases of COVID-19. The curve is leveling a bit, is the good news. Some local bars were shut down because Guideline recommendations were not being followed. Recently they are now opening again. Hopefully they'll be following appropriate guidelines as detailed below.

For Events Rescheduling (continuously being rechecked & reworked) - Plus any updates on Events you can check either of two areas:

1. Our Events Page>
2. Our Tombstone Facebook Page>

BE  SURE  YOU  HAVE  YOUR  OWN  HAND  SANITIZER!

The Rest Rooms in Town Are Not Necessarily Kept Clean, as the Town Has Been Stating.

Arizona Governor's Latest

The Governor noted in updating his Executive Orders the following:

• The Governor now has a page with links to specific Business Advisories and Requirements.
• As rules a being relaxed in Cochise County, and in Tombstone - it's advisable to know what the requirement are for the business you plan to visit:
• GOVERNOR'S REOPENING GUIDANCE>

• Thus "pursuant to A.R.S. 36-787(A)" the governor has responsibilities to act in this Health Crisis, "by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State... after consultation with the Director of ADHS..."
• Within Arizona, a county, city or town is allowed to adopt its own policies about requiring face masks in public places. Legally enforceable, but in doing so must first work on best practices via education, and first allowing the person to comply.
• Pima County has a mask in public requirement, Cochise County does not. However, specific towns in Cochise County may have mask requirements, and of course specific businesses definitely do.

ON JULY 23, 2020 an executive order was issued, EO-2020-52, continuing his previous order, following case curve trends (Click on the current statistics for Arizona, then you can view the curve and See The Details>).

It acknowledges that the prior order(s) not affected by subsequent changes are still in effect. That includes requirements he issued for businesses with the last order: for Bar/Restaurants> that are still applicable coordinating with the following order.

• This Order is in place until Further Notice, and will be under review for repeal or revision at least every two weeks.
• You can view EO-2020-52 at the Governor's website, which continues EO-2020-43>

Here is where you can access the Governor's Executive Orders> which you can follow to see if/ when/ how extended.

Karaoke is Back

Because of a recent court case, there has been a loosening of some restrictions for bars, [ref: Fischer, H. (Oct. 21, 2020) azcapitoltimes.com/news/2020/10/21/arizona-eases-bar-restrictions-on-games-but-no-dancing/] among which is - Karaoke is now back. Here are the rules that are to be enforced (for safety) if sponsoring Karaoke:

• The Karoake singer must be a minimum 12 ft. from other patrons. Per reasoning that singing can project aerosolized droplets farther still than than recommended 6 ft. “social distance ” level. 
• However, if a plexiglass protective divider is set up, then the 6 ft. distance is satisfactory.
• Between each Karaoke Singer, the microphone must be either disinfected or exchanged for another
• And finally, despite its possible interference with the Karaoke song, the singer must wear their mask - keeping it on throughout

Making YOUR Covid-19 Decision

We're not telling you what to do. However we do advise Socially Distancing. We hope you're wearing a mask when out in public. We believe you should avoid crowds & gathering in large groups.

We are personally mostly staying home for now. Sure, we'll make some occasional short trips to avoid cabin fever. We do love to travel. But we'll stay in cabins, or motels where they consider the virus for guest check-in. Where you can pull up to the door & enter. We'll get outside & walk some wilderness area trails. Go to lake-side areas.

If you read on, you'll see why we're doing that.

Wear A Mask

And remember, they need to be worn properly - over the mouth & nose - the orifices through which you breathe! There is also a wire through the top section which needs to be crimped along the bridge of the nose, to ensure a more tight fit.

They should be removed properly, without touching your face. Ideally only worn once (disposable types - we still know of PPE in short supply! So it's inevitable that people have to wear them multiple times), and then wash your hands. It's even better to wear a face shield or glasses with the mask (that doesn't replace a mask). But if you're not in close contact with others for a length of time, that's not as worrisome.

How Respiratory Diseases Spread
My experience With a Respiratory Illness

"Snake Oil" Treatments Were Around in Historic Tombstone, Too!

Our careers were as Respiratory Therapists - Licensed Health Care Practitioners - and we've observed over the years how disease can spread, and its aftermath. While working, we've seen some weird ailments that were never able to be diagnosed!

I taught microbiology for about ten years. I studied this subject. I had students go through a scenario on how a disease such as this can spread in a multiplying way: 2 to 4 to 8 to 16 to 32 to 64 to 128, etc. That's an example of 1 person spreading it to 1 other. They're finding one COVID-19 infected person (before getting sick) is exposing about 2 or 3 others. So that spread is more like 1 to 3 to 9 to 27 to 81 to 243 to 729, etc. (Lately it seems it's sometimes even spreading from 1 up to 4 or 6 or more!)

Libertarians - Masks a Personal Choice?

Now, we're not Libertarians, though we agree with some of those principles. But consider these points quoted from someone who was a physician, and left that field to become an entrepreneur. He holds Libertarian principles:

• The position overall seems to be "I'm an American so I'm free to choose." & "I would rather die from coronavirus than live the rest of my life in fear and wearing a damn mask." Fair enough. As a libertarian, I get that. The problem is, though, is that it's not ONLY about him... or you... or me. During a pandemic it's about ALL of us.
• Let's start with the only 3 hard facts that matter in this debate....they are also common sense.

1. Many people with COVID-19 don't know they have it. If they do they can pass it on to others
2. If you wear a mask, the physical barrier reduces your chances of passing the virus to someone else. It stops your "spray."
3. If you have it there is no perfect way to isolate you from passing it on to someone else, especially when you come home.

• It's worth mentioning, too...

1. You are also less likely to get COVID-19 if you wear a mask. The tighter the fit and the better the barrier, the better YOUR protection against the outside.
2. The higher percent of people who wear a mask in crowded situations, the benefit goes up.... it stands to reason.

But lets... focus on libertarianism and fundamental freedoms. The basic tenet of libertarianism is... "I am free to do what I want to do, as long as I don't impinge on the next person's right to do the same." The 2nd part is important, otherwise you have anarchy. So...

• We can drink alcohol, but we can't drive drunk. That's because you MIGHT kill other people, not just yourself. If it was just you, so be it. But it's not.
• We all have freedom of speech. But we can't falsely cry "FIRE" in a crowded theater. THAT endangers others.
• Americans have the right to bear arms, but not kill others by firing them (except in cases such as self defense).

Wearing a mask during a pandemic is all about exercising one's freedom "responsibly." The science on this is clear. Wear a mask to cut down the rate of viral spread. It's also simple common sense. THIS VIRUS KILLS. So if you cut down the rate of spread, you'll cut down deaths.... ICUs will not be overwhelmed.

BOTTOM LINE? NOT wearing a mask is indeed exercising some sort of freedom. But you do so IRresponsibly. It's up to us to self-manage and work TOGETHER. Surely we can start to benefit from what we've learned and finally get it right? If we do we can wrestle the virus under control within a month. If not, the deaths will soar. The economy will absolutely tank, far beyond what we imagine. The old will be dead. The young will be poor, millions desperately so. Wear a mask - for ALL our sakes.

- quoted from Ken Evoy of SBI

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Wearing gloves is helpful in some circumstances, when done the proper way. The virus will not soak into your body through your skin. It isn't a contact virus in that manner. It's just important to not allow it to migrate to an area where it can get into your respiratory system. Watch this film from a nurse on effective glove wearing:

So you can see the importance of washing your hands. It's the most important! This was something we in healthcare education (and in the work-force) always emphasized. You've heard: 20 seconds. Sing Happy Birthday, or Row Your Boat (whatever one you want/know) TWICE.

Want to know why a little plain ole soap & water wash is effective? Watch:

Facts are that social distancing IS effective in stopping the spread of this virus. And the earlier the better. It's not good when social distancing isn't uniformly followed. When one state, county, or town does the right thing for prevention, and another does not - then it can spread across those imaginary lines more easily. When it's delayed, then the virus has more & more time to spread, especially in that stealth manner. You don't know who is infected, who is infecting you. But when it isn't possible - what's essential is to wear a mask. When out in public wear a mask.

The truth is we're seeing people who've insisted on not wearing masks - and now it's too late for them. They've already contracted COVID-19. Some are now sick. Others are just outed. Some have passed away! The sad thing is - they've infected others, too! Innocent people. Their victims.

COVID-19 spreads mostly by drops in the air and somewhat by contact on surfaces. Which is why masks especially are so important. And health care workers absolutely need them, as well as all the other PPE for their essential work - since they're constantly exposed.

According to the National Institute for Health Studies, COVID-19 virus can live up to 3 hours in air droplets:

1. Tiny, microscopic droplets can float around in the air for up to this long. You may breath them in & they stick onto your lung cells. Breathing medication (like inhalers people take for asthma) is based on this principle!

Another contributing and frustrating fact is lack of PPE - Personal Protective Equipment. Still a continuing problem in many areas!

Remember that if you think you may have COVID-19 - consult & stay in touch with your doctor by phone first, then only go into the hospital when/if they advise it's needed to do so. You'll just stay home in isolation because there isn't anything special the hospital can do for people with COVID-19. "Treatments" for it are supportive for your symptoms. Only if you become very serious, which your doctor will monitor while you're at home, will you need to go into the hospital. You're better off at home, really!

Don't take it upon yourself to search the internet for unproven "treatments." Not a good idea, and most likely dangerous. There is undocumented information spreading the internet. If it's true - then validate and prove your sources! If you're looking at it - then look for documentation! Don't believe just anything you're reading on the internet. Use critical thinking - authentically research it.

There's a lot of misinformation circulating around, even daily. See W-H-O Myth-Busting>

If you need to go out in public, of course it's wise to keep a minimum 6 foot distance from others. Add a Face-mask around your nose & mouth - surgical-type face masks that are available to the public. Keep reusable ones clean & dry. Disposable ones can be reused if kept in a plastic bag & worn for a very short time. Otherwise, dispose of it & wear a new one the next outing. 

How tragic that by mid-May 2020 the U.S. death total from COVID-19 was 87,993. It's still rising. In a little more than four months more people died than just over 11 years in the Vietnam War: those 58,177 who paid that price [ref: US Military Operations: Casualty Breakdown. Retrieved from globalsecurity.org/military/ops/casualties.htm]. My youth was during that horrific war era, and I remember watching those deaths on the news every evening. So these mounting numbers of COVID deaths are quite vivid in comparison. Two horrible tragedies.

Our concern is that people stay safe, keep their families safe, and not spread the virus so that it will be over sooner - rather than continue over a longer and longer time. We'd like to be able to go out and socialize again. But doing so too soon will not help.

Consider this: Someone gives you a bag of 100 M&Ms and tells you 18 of them have something in them that kills you. And there's some pieces split in half, and one of those halves can kill you. Will you chance eating any of those M&Ms?

That's the chance you take when you don't follow Social Distancing & wearing a mask in public places - taking and eating one of those M&Ms. Would you do it??

Home COVID-19 Protective Methods

Try shopping for some items and it's frustrating. I know I just went online to do my online order for pick-up.

There is plenty of disinfectant soap - but you don't even need that. If you watched the film above, you can see regular soap is fine. It's the technique that's important. I looked for hand sanitizer, as when you need to be out, that's important. None available. No sanitizing wipes either.

What to do? Well I found two recipes you may find handy - here they are:

Hand Sanitizer - Make Your Own

Here's a recipe that originates from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. They're at the forefront in decontamination.

• 2/3 Cup Rubbing Alcohol (70% alcohol)
• 1/3 Cup Aloe Vera Gel
• Optional - 8 drops Essential Oil for Fragrance

1. I believe Eucalyptus is a good choice

Stir together with a small spoon or fork until well blended. Spoon it into a container for storage. Be sure to label it as Hand Sanitizer.

Disinfectant - Homemade Spray/Wipes

This formulation comes from the CDC. Once you make up the solution, you can place it into a spray bottle. Or cut up small sheets of material, place them into a small covered jar (such as a repurposed salsa jar), then pour just enough solution over to dampen all of them. After using them, throw them in with your "whites" laundry.

• 4 teaspoons household bleach - be sure the expiration date is still good
• 1 quart water

What you're disinfecting should be clean first. Be sure the surface you're disinfecting is appropriate for a bleach disinfectant. Mix together in a container and label.

But never mix this solution with any other type of household cleaner - a poisonous gas can result! 

When disinfecting, protect your hands with gloves. Use enough solution to wet the surface so it's moist for several minutes. Let dry.

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