Our COVID-19 Update is here temporarily only to help you to make your OWN decision about distancing, protecting yourself & traveling - especially to Tombstone. We're providing you with helpful information. Covid-19 updating is something on everyone's mind right now.
Some wonder what's happening in Tombstone, Cochise County and Arizona. We'll give you info on that, and some possibilities related to that. Any New Governor Exec Orders?
We also have this information here - because We Would Like People to Know the Facts. We Would Like This Situation to Improve. We are tired of staying home!
We would Like People to Have An Understanding of the Science. Ensure Stopping COVID Spread. Or it will Go On & On & On Interminably. As I said here since March 2020 - I taught Microbiology & I predicted that unless People Everywhere in the U.S. cooperated with following social distancing, & all following guidelines this will go on a long, long time. And it has. Sadly. Causing More & More Illness & Death.
Yes - We are Tired of It, Too. But if People are Impatient in Cooperating With What Needs to be Done, That's What Makes it Drag On & On.
That's What Makes it Financially Untenable for Everyone. Just look at the examples in other countries: Australia & New Zealand as 2 examples. That could've been us, too.
Now there's a vaccine - what IS needed to begin getting this under control. Get Yours! Then Follow the Instructions - Because it still Won't Miraculously Take Your Life Immediately Back to Normal. Patience will still be required.
Please, please, consider what we say here. Thank You.
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
See the Cochise County Covid Site>
Our Cochise County Covid Bi(2x)-Monthly Tracking:
Every month we're tracking the local Tombstone area statistics, where an outbreak of COVID-19 has begun:
For Events Rescheduling (continuously being rechecked & reworked) - Plus any updates on Events you can check either of two areas:
Our Tombstone Facebook Page>
BE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR OWN HAND SANITIZER!
In Case the Rest Rooms in Town Haven't Been Recently Cleaned
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 Governor noted in updating his Executive Orders the following:
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.
In early December, a few updates to Executive Orders - major changes: no more than 50 for any gatherings without going through authorization hoops & extending allowable outside dining areas. See link to the orders below.
Here is where you can access the Governor's Executive Orders> which you can follow to see if/ when/ how extended.
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. For 10 years before retiring, we also taught students going into that field. 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.
It is troubling to hear people say wearing a mask is a "personal choice" because they have Libertarian-like ideas. That's unfortunate, as it shows a lack of understanding of how respiratory virus spreads. Here's how this even more troubling virus spreads:
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 have to get out to check on specific things to maintain our website & get updates for our newsletter - but not at the risk of exposure to this virus.
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. Go camping.
I placed this statement below when I first put up this page:
It's my belief when you read everything here, unless everyone follows all the advice uniformly - it will be a long time before this problem will cease.
And it is so, just as it's been happening as I stated this here, back when I first put up this page, back in early Spring 2020.
Here are other essential facts to immediately know about COVID-19.
Read on for more details on making decisions, gathering information, related details, and understanding the situation.
Why is it that for years & years, hospital & medical personnel have worn masks during procedures. And that's not only N-95 masks, but also surgical masks.
Surgical masks are the same type of masks that people are now purchasing for this pandemic. Why would health care workers have done that, if they didn't work? If they didn't have some effect? If they were useless? They're not useless. They need to be worn for specific reasons, in specific circumstances.
Studies show they provide protection. Now a recent study has tested 3 different two-layer cotton, pleated-style masks. Here are details for making important decisions on what to buy. To analyze it, researchers set up a box, a laser, a lens & a cellphone camera to test the masks. They found, in order of best to not as good: 1) Fitted N95 (you don't want an exhalation valve), 2) three-layer surgical mask, 3) Cotton-polypropylene-cotton mask, 4) two-layer polypropylene mask, 5) two-layer cotton, pleated style mask. See The Study>
Very Important - Least Effective - or even detrimental were: Gaiter-type neck fleece, Double-layer bandana & Knitted mask. Neck fleeces actually broke droplets into smaller droplets - which allow them to escape the material, spew out & stay in the air longer. If the droplet holds virus, that increases possible contagion spread. [Source: Duke University]
Remember to please wear your mask properly - over the mouth AND 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 tight fit.
They should be removed properly, without touching your face. Ideally only worn once (disposable types), and then wash your hands. It's even better to wear a face shield or glasses with the mask (important: they don't replace a mask). But if you're not in close contact with others for a length of time, it's not worrisome to not have shield/glasses.
Surgical Masks
They have an even better variation now called the KN95 Mask that is said to be the Best Protection Yet. Below is one of the first mask effectiveness studies conducted in the U.S. But now there are many available. It is a proven thing to protect yourself. Facts matter - So see all the studies for Mask Effectiveness.
Studies are showing masks are helping. Let's just see one simple study out of Kansas done recently.
Their Governor issued a statewide mask mandate starting in July. But individual counties were allowed to opt out. 15 counties followed through with mandated masks, 90 counties opted out. Kansas Dept of Health & Environment Secretary Lee Norman saw that the 90 counties provided a natural Control Group. So he began following the stats. The counties with a mask mandate have 66% of the state's population, with the largest cities. Also note those 90 counties have the more rural populations, only 33% of the state. The difference set in after about a 12-day lag, also demonstrating Covid's infection timing. See for yourself the effectiveness of mask wearing:
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!) Now there are variations spreading even easier.
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:
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...
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
Washing your hands is also very 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:
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 the U.S. death total from COVID-19 is still rising in January 2021. 58,177 died in just over 11 years in the Vietnam War [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??
*Please be advised, we do have health care degrees. But still, we are retired. We give all these suggestions to use at your own risk. We provide these suggestions, but still give caution to take them with a grain of salt, so to speak. And our overall suggestion is to Stay Home as much as possible, wear a mask, maintain social distancing, avoid crowds, and follow CDC guidelines - as they are updated.