During Thursday’s online YCDP meeting, an overwhelming number of you expressed concerns about the lack of COVID-19 testing in Prescott. We agree and feel a call to action is needed to encourage our local leaders to provide universal COVID-19 testing in the Prescott area.
Coconino County established drive-up COVID-19 specimen-collection facilities in two locations in mid-March. Testing is for anyone with an order from a medical provider. The aggressive implementation of orders closing businesses and public gatherings has helped curb the spread of the disease somewhat.
But there is really only one way to end this pandemic, and that’s universal testing. We have the technology to administer tests and assess categories of risk. We just need leadership willing to invest in our protection.
“Widespread testing is key for the country to return to normalcy and reopen businesses. That kind of capability will allow any infected people to be quickly identified and then isolated. In the absence of that, the country is instead implementing communitywide measures to slow the spread of the virus.” says Anthony Fauci M.D., NIAID.
We have no idea how widespread this virus truly is because the high cost led to under-testing at the start, but all evidence points to universal testing as the only way out of the social-distancing cycle that only buys us time until the next outbreak. Universal testing would enable us to establish three groups to better track the spread of the disease:
1. Those at risk for getting COVID
2. Those who have COVID (with or without symptoms)
3. Those who have had COVID and are immune
The first antibody tests have just been approved by the FDA and others are close behind. Now is the time to encourage our leaders to step up and implement what is clearly the best solution for everyone.
The results of universal testing will enable us to better control quarantine protocols and allow those who test negative to get back to work. Getting people back to work is the only way to stave off a long-term recession.
It’s simple. Until we understand the spread of this disease, we can’t begin to map a solution economically.
The Yavapai County Democratic Party believes that we need a call to action telling our local leaders that we need universal testing now!
We have drafted a letter you can download and mail to our local officials.
We encourage you to send a letter and call.
Please download this letter and mail to these officials:
Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli
201 S Cortez St., Prescott AZ 86303
Call: 928-777-1248
Cell: 928-777-1255
Supervisor Rowle P. Simmons
1015 Fair Street, Prescott, AZ 86305
Call: (928) 771-3206
Supervisor Thomas Thurman
1015 Fair St., Prescott AZ 86305
Call: (928) 771-3393
Supervisor Randy Garrison
1015 Fair St., Prescott AZ 86305
Call: (928) 639-8110
Craig L. Brown
1015 Fair St., Prescott AZ 86305
Call: (928) 771-3207
Mary Mallory
1015 Fair St., Prescott AZ 86305
Call: (928) 771-3209
