Government response to the pandemic calling for better coordination of the distribution of medical supplies. Critical supplies. I believe our residents will do the right thing if they get Accurate Information to time calling on every elected official from the president on down to send the message that Wearing Masks works in the staying at home can slow the spread. Welcome to Washington Post letter on jonathan capehart, opinion writer for the Washington Post. Phoenix mayor kate gallego is making headlines for her criticism about arizonas governor and the federal government have responded to the coronavirus pandemic. Her city and surrounding county has seen a surge in new cases but not in testing. Last end of this week George Stephanopoulos you said it quote feels like they are declaring victory while we are in crisis mode. We will talk about all of that right now with mayor gallego. Welcome. Thank you so much for having me. Theres a lot to talk about. Youve made multiple requests to fema for help in covid19 testing sites. All of which had been turned down victims reported fema said it was quote getting out of the testing business but a funny thing happened after your appearance on this week with George Stephanopoulos on sunday. You heard from the white house . Yes. Sunday morning the white house reached topic is said they wanted to work with us and help pick the next data meeting with the admiral in charge of testing for the United States who also said they were watching whats happening in phoenix. And now theres a new story from his is inside her. I might be getting all the stories mixed up because you had a lot of action, have heard a lot of things about testing going on in your cd. Now theres a testing site in west phoenix that you found out about via tweet . Yes. Our government announced he was going to be working with the federal government to put a testing site in west phoenix. That is our area of greatest need and one ive been trying to drive attention to so im thrilled they are coming and i will keep tuned on twitter to find out more. As a mayor does it enrage you that check to find out about these things via tweet and not through conversations with peers in the federal government . The whole communication with the federal government has been very eyeopening and interesting. When we have conversations in the, via zoom were to small group its a very positive and then use the White House Briefing and the folks in charge of testing for the country are criticizing me by name saying i am being unfair to them. Im happy as long as we get testing we can have whatever politics people feel good about but theres no question today in phoenix people are in line as we speak and have been told they will need to be there for five to seven hours. I was just about to ask you about that. That was a story that just hit just before we came on that the wait time in South Phoenix, the South Phoenix testing site, the wait time is five to seven hours which to my mind makes me wonder for those people sitting in line for the long, is there a danger that after sitting in line for that long they dont get a test because they have run out of tests . It does happen over and over, and i just wish the federal government would see and know what its like. It may be easy to talk about blocks and blocks of cars in line but when you go there and you see the people waiting in line, they are individual people with families. This one image i cant get get out of my head. I watched a man whose car had run out of gasoline on a very busy city street pouring gasoline into his car while he was gasping for air. And just the look of that and not to want to do better is mindboggling to me. Given the store you just told it makes me think of what Vice President pence said. I believe it was yesterday or within the last couple of days, about how i guess he said that they are bending the curve back down on coronavirus infections. Is that what you are seeing from your Vantage Point . We were growing at exponential rates in arizona, so the growth rate was really astounding. We are still think saying new s all the time, and to say that bending it a little bit lower his success doesnt feel that way to the people in our community who are still waiting more than a week for a test. Our doctors and nurses tell me that they are exhausted and treating so we more patience than it were just a few weeks ago. After memorial day in particular we saw such a scary increase in the number of covid19 diagnoses. We are all holding our breath and worry about what the response to the july 4 holiday weekend, will we see that incredible surge again. Mayor, i forgot to mention that those people waiting in line five five to seven hours e also waiting in line with the temperatures are between 11511. Some folks are battling two things at once. You sit there and watch your gas gauge go down. A year ago if youre packing multiple meals and a gallon of water and filling up gas over the fourth of july weekend youre going on vacation. That thats how you prepare to get a coronavirus test in phoenix. You are sick. No new feels just mediocre probably going to wait as long as people have been waiting in my community. These are people who believe they have coronavirus and are quite worried about it. People dont know how to make appropriate decisions. I heard one story of a mom who just brought home a baby from the hospital, newborn, and she was feeling some respiratory symptoms but she did much to leave her newborn baby and less she knew she really had the virus. She was just struggled to get the right information to make. A heartbreaking decision. Lets talk more about the pandemic in arizona. It seems as though arizona has lost control of its response or control of the pandemic. On tuesday arizona hit a record with 117 death from covid19, and you single day high for the state. Maricopa county which includes phoenix is according as many as 2000 new cases per day which eclipses even new york city on its worst day. You were talking a moment ago about spikes in cases after the fourth of july. What is driving that . Is a people not social distancing . Is a a reopening to early . What is it . Arizona was one of the last states to go to a stayathome order and one of the first to emerge. When the government decided to let the stayathome order we saw a lot of uses that the centers for Disease Control didnt recommend in the early phases of reopening. So cdc does that recommend crowded nightclubs until the final phase of reopening but we had been right away in phoenix. We had nightclubs that were handing out free champagne to celebrate. Public Health Officials tell me nightclubs are one of the most dangerous environment. People are unlikely to be wearing a mask while they are drinking. Theres also a loud music and so people might be raising their voices and they might have increased droplet spread because of that. We had many younger arizonans who have been featured on the news talking about how he just felt like a celebration and the party and it didnt feel like they need to be careful. We have had now the majority of our new cases come from younger arizonans. I think those a message we defeated covid and you could go back to life as normal, which i understand. It is not fun to be at stayathome. I a mother of a threeyearold and this morning we were having a debate about how hangers are not toys. Weve been painting rocks. Its a struggle for everyone but i think the way arizona reopened really contributed the people going back to behaviors that are no longer safe. And also there was this impression that it was only something that impacted people over 65. Covid19, it is true that the majority of our fatalities are older adults that if you are a young person hospitalized for a week, thats not success. And to the point of leak more than 60 of these new cases youre talking about our people under the age of 44. Kate gallego, can we talk about the relationship with the governor ducey . I believe you have said that you criticize him saying he closed the state too late and we opened the state too soon. In hindsight being 2020, what do you believe he knew that he didnt know in making this difficult decisions . I have tried to really talk regularly with public Health Officials. I want to be with dave and understand what scientists and public Health Officials are saying is important. I think its also a different values. I am very concerned about the lives of my residence. My parents lives are not optional. I grandfathers life is not optional. I put a very high value on saving lives and understand our elected officials that make it different calculus and put Economic Vitality at the top of the list. I would argue that they are not separable. That communities that took up e very seriously have recovered more economically than those that did not and so we can care about peoples livelihoods and their lives. But its just been heartbreaking to see those people in my community waiting for a test or our medical professionals exhausted. I am nervous about whats to come. In may the governor issued a rule that said that cities in arizona had to abide by state guidelines but by june reversed course, midjune, allowing ciy to impose their own facemask requirements, for instance. Why do you think he made that change . I joined with several mayors and asking him to allow local governments to require face masks here in looking at data from communities that it implemented a facemask requirements, it slows the spread. It is a great Public Health tool and one that is much easier than many of the other options we have. The governor told me that my request did factor into his decision to allow local governments to take this step. I want the tools to protect the people of phoenix and i think a facemask, while uncomfortable in our heat, can save lives and thats so worthwhile in my book. We have seen videos coming in from around the country of people define face masks, wearing a facemask on being asked to wear facemask. In phoenix whats been the reception . Are people abiding by the rule . A day after we hope amid the facemask Program People were texting pictures of Grocery Stores where they were shopping everyone was in a mask. That was different from it had been before put in the masking requirement. Weve had stores data been happy to put intercom messages reminding people about the value of face masks. The overwhelming majority of people in the community have embraced it but theres been a hot political debate. We had a Council Meeting where we voted to implement the facemask requirement and we had some amazing Public Comments at that. You should see my email. It is fascinating some of the responses, and apparently people have now started posting face masks, people where, videos where people wearing face masks but now the industry has adopted some facemask that i dont think there was send it to me as a complement of micah decisionmaking though. Theres been a lot of on that and frustration, our neighboring city of scottsdale had a very prominent rally against face masks were an elected official took one off and said i cant breathe. Thats right. Tragedy right. The Council Meeting youre talking about was on june 19, and think the timing is interesting because on june 23 President Trump came to town, held a rally, decidedly did not wear a facemask sort bunch of folks, a lot of folks who were there at the rally also didnt what a facemask. What signal do believe it sends that the president of the United States refuses to wear a facemask, at least publicly . Im concerned it adds a political element to what should be a Public Health debate. He sends a signal that hes not taking this seriously and that its not mandatory. The president of the United States has access to the best Public Health information available, and for him to decide to not wear a mask gives anyone whos uncomfortable and doesnt want to or for other reasons would like to pass on a facemask an excuse to not wear it. So to me it is a poor decision. At the local of it has not been as political. Many republican mayors in the greater phoenix area have implemented facemask programs. Our county board of supervisors which is the Public Health agency for my community is super majority republican and they voted unanimously to require face masks. So i do feel like at the local level it has not been a partisan issue but we do hear from people who say one of the reasons they are declining to wear facemask is to show support for the president. Mayor gallego, we have a question from the audience and this comes from vicki anglin from virginia and she asks, autonomy cuts two ways. And the lack of unified federal leadership on covid19, in which ways has your job been made easier and more difficult . I would love to see strong leadership from the federal government on face masks, on unified National Strategy for deployment of resources. We struggle in this community with everything from access to reagents to perform the tests, to medical personnel to, as will intimate the test. It would be nice to have a more robust National Strategy. Ive learned my lesson i do want to say the federal government is involved. Its just not sufficient right now. I think theres certainly some ability with local control to adapt to very different, whether text situation, so, for example, phoenix wright that is quite hot and we have different requirements to that. We are primarily spending time inside this time of year while as much of the country is outdoors in so that may contribute to different, but generally i would love to see more National Support and a more unified message at every level from all elected officials. So it sounds like what you would really like to see is a National Strategy. We need a more robust investment from our federal government. I have been asking for months and months or a federal fema search testing. Early on when i requested it, we got the response that there were not enough cases in arizona to justify it and thats why they were going to other communities before us. I now we literally have the highest positive test rate in the country and so much need here. So it was frustrating for me to see the federal government announced that rouge in texas and florida before the and now phoenix but now i am thrilled that they will be coming to my city. We need that partnership. My First Federal emergency was when is a city councilmember and we had a lot of flooding in phoenix. What they told us at the time, we got a federal Emergency Declaration and they said when communities have stresses the go. Local resources becoming a partner. That is very much what it feels like on the ground right now. We are stretched the odd our local capacity and deed that partnership. In this country new york had an apex before we did in phoenix and so it does seem like the federal government can help distribute resources where they are needed. Because were not all hitting our apex at exactly the same time. Can we talk about capacity in the hospitals during this surge. How confident are you that phoenix has enough beds to handle the Current Situation . Are you seeing an increase in hospitalizations especially since the july 4 holiday . So for anyone in phoenix was listening, if youre feeling symptoms of a stroke or a heart attack, i encourage you to seek medical care. It is available. But if you look at the statistics about icu beds in our community and capacity, revolver hit levels above 90 icu bed usage. We dont know what well see as a result of the july 4 holiday but i can tell he our Hospital System are trying to bring in nurses from other communities. They are doing surge planning. Theres been heartbreaking stories of individuals, one, a man was matched with the transplant for a kidney but because of the lack of bed capacity he was not able to get that very important surgery. So what the hospitals will say is they are only doing essential services but i can tell you the man who is hoping to a kidney transplant felt that that was very essential to him. I have a lot of coworkers from my time before i ran for office who have been diagnosed with cancer. Some of them have been unable to have the procedures to treat their cancer. So while we do have some resources left, its a scary situation out here and we are very nervous. We were talking a a moment o about the need for a National Strategy in addressing the coronavirus pandemic. One area where President Trump now seems to be focused on in terms of a National Strategy is reopening the schools. Can we talk about that a moment . The governor has said, governor ducey, has that arizona was going to push back the opening, the opening day for schools and the target date for opening schools will be based on covid19 trends. When to use phoenix schools opening . We are seeing such a dangerous level of covid19 in the community, that im very concerned about making the right decision. We should lead with Public Health. I do want to put our teachers who are such use of this community in any type of danger. I dont think we have all the data that i i would like to see what levels of transmission occur through junk young peopl. Certainly with the seasonal flu is a lot of transmission link to schools. My child is not yet old enough for school. He is still three but he was in day care until march and now hes been at home. For the first seven weeks we didnt see my parents and so i was trying to be mom and mayor, and i understand it is good for his development to be with other young people and its also as a parent you are trying to do your job and to educate your child. So its very difficult, but from my perspective have to lead with Public Health care. Im concerned that some federal elected officials are too rushed to reopen schools and are not putting Public Health first. You mentioned your threeyearold was in day care and is basically been home for weeks, if not months now. Is your threeyearold wondering, even asking why am i seeing you all the time . So he is very happy and my dog is very happy that the dog walks have navvy, highlights of the day which dog has always felt was the appropriate decision. Its funny, we are now spending time with grandparents and that so grateful for the help as i try to do mom and mayor simultaneously. But my son is starting to talk like her mother. Yesterday he was like your water class is too close to the edge of the table. Thats has been telling her for decades and so now im getting at from both sides. When my son who was three is talking like my mother, i understand, weve got to get them around some more threeyearolds. It is good to have a reason to laugh in a time of such stress and such sorrow for a lot of people. Matter mayor, theres another question i want to bring to you from a fellow arizonan. James shank, i hope i pronounce his name right, how can phoenix help rural arizona towns of less than 10,000 residents . That is a great question and one of the great things that has come out of covid19, there are some Silver Lining is that i feel so much closer to the other arizona mayors. We talk much more regularly and are trying to shared messages for example, we are all working together to encourage congress to provide Additional Resources to cities, because cities are going to help lead this economic recovery. Several mayors have asked me can we help spread a message that our smaller towns do not have the same Health Care System even as phoenix does . So Rural Health Systems are very, very stretched in arizona. Our northern part of the state has much Colder Weather and forested areas which are very attractive right now during the summer for vacation, but were trying to spread the message that staying home is the best way to get through this even though a vacation is very, very promising right now, but Rural Health Systems just dont have the capacity for significant increase in covid19 patients. We also are trying to use phoenix is resources to tell some of the stories about whats happening in rural arizona. Once they become safe to do so were hoping that at Sky Harbor Airport we will be broadcasting messages about the great tourism attractions in arizona. Weve spoken with the Navajo Nation which is partially located in arizona and very hardhit by covid19 about whether we couldnt help them, again when it is safe to do so, promote the wonderful, beautiful landscapes of the Navajo Nation, their great food and tourism sites so that perhaps more arizonans can visit our smaller communities and help them with critical economic development. Because we do have a scary times ahead for budgets at every level of government. Local governments in arizona are quite dependent on sales tax at people who are networking are not shopping at the same rate. So just with our communities need as most and the more services, we have more limited resources. Madam mayor, you just mentioned a moment ago that one of the things you are happy about is you have been in touch with other mayors. Whats interesting is many larger u. S. Cities are now run by women mayors, including tucson and flagstaff. Also atlanta, San Francisco, washington, d. C. Of course. Do you ever consult with your fellow mayors . My fellow mayors have an wonderful resources for me. London read who is a San Francisco has such a leader and responded to covid19. Covid19. When were setting up hotels the people expense homelessness in phoenix would have a safe place to go, she talked to me about all of the things they had leard because San Francisco believe was the first to do that. She just explain things like overnight Staffing Levels that help me make sure we adequately fund the programs and did a much better job so its been a Great Network who is helping to better job for my community. My arizona mayors and i talk regular. I will be speaking there today with a of tucson and flagstaff, and we shared stories about tough moments but also advice about whats working in our community so it really has brought mayors together. I am Proud National of the role mayors have played in covid19. The mayors have been powerful voices for safer communities, and its an honor to be part of that community. For my final question let me ask you a baldly political question. You are a democratic mayor in the state that was once considered a red state but now Arizona Police and the 2020th election is viewed as a battleground state. In your mind come to your mind, whats changed in arizona to make it so competitive and possibly give the democrats an edge . Its been an incredible transition during the time that ive been in elected office. Last election cycle we elected four Democratic Women to statewide office, colluding u. S. Senator kyrsten sinema. Weve had much stronger urban communities now and a lot of growth in a more vibrant downtowns in place like phoenix. Those voters have strongly supported our Democratic Candidates but weve also seen suburban women who care so much about education and the future of the children also supporting Democratic Candidates. Right now voters are very focused on healthcare and say that they are more likely to trust democrats. So i think that if that continues to be the top issue as we head into the election cycle in november that we will see a result. Mayor kate gallego of phoenix, arizona, thank you very much for being here. Thank you so much for having me. Stay safe out there. Ranks, you, too. Please stick to the Washington Post live win at 4 p. M. Eastern today my colleague robin will discuss race in america with Fashion Designer aurora james. Tomorrow my colleague robert costa will talk with new Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to see how his state has battled to handle the coronavirus pandemic. You can always had to washingtonpostlive. Com to register and to find out more information about upcoming programs. Im jonathan capehart, opinion writer for the Washington Post. Thanks for tuning in. We are live on capitol hill this more as the House Appropriations committee is continued work on a number of spending bills. Today the will be debating 2021 spending levels for the interior environment and related agencies and the legislative branch. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] once again were live waiting for the health Appropriations Committee to work on spending bills. Debating 2021. Congresswoman lowey chairs this committee and shes retiring, shes been in congress more than 30 years. This is cspan2
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