Four More Arizonans Die As a Result of COVID-19

Here’s the latest coronavirus numbers, and how Honeywell plans to help those on the front lines of the virus.

Four more Arizonans lost their lives to COVID-19 and 132 more have contracted the illness since yesterday’s update, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS).

Today’s updated data shows Maricopa County continuing to lead the number of confirmed coronavirus cases at 788, and the Navajo Nation said it now has more than 100 cases.

Because of the continued spike in numbers, Gov. Doug Ducey issued a stay-at-home order Monday. Except for employees of businesses the state classifies as providing essential services, Arizonans are urged to remain at their place of residence.

As of Monday night, the Navajo Nation also issued an ordered curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m to curb the spread of the virus.

In an address to the Nation, President Jonathan Nez said, “I know some of you saying: ‘President, you need to get stern. You need to put your foot down,’ and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Nez, Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer, and several health officials reminded residents about the seriousness of COVID-19 and the risks of not staying home.

While the Navajo Nation continues to get aggressive to flatten the curve, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said Gov. Ducey’s stay-at-home order doesn’t go far enough because it doesn’t narrow down a list of “essential services.”

“This order is insufficient if he does not narrow his list of “essential” services,” Gallego said. “Essential services during #COVID19 are not golf and beauty salons. They are first responders, grocers, pharmacists, and few others.”

In Tucson, Mayor Regina Romero echoed Mayor Gallego’s sentiments and is cracking down on people not honoring the stay-at-home order. With Gov. Ducey’s announcement Monday, The Department of Public Safety can now help enforce the order.

“We don’t have the police resources to shut down every business. [Violating the order is] a Class 1 misdemeanor,” Romero told KOLD News 13. “But we do want to educate; we want to have a light approach.”

Mayor Romero added that repeat violators will be cited, but that has yet to happen.

Honeywell Is Hiring 500 People in Phoenix to Make Millions of N95 Masks Monthly

Honeywell announced they are hiring for 500 new jobs in Phoenix to manufacture N95 masks and personal protection equipment. 

By opening a facility in Phoenix, Honeywell officials said they will increase mask production capacity to more than 20 million monthly, according to a City of Phoenix press release. City officials added that hiring has started, and the equipment is arriving in Phoenix this week. 

City officials said “the N95 face masks will be delivered to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to contribute to the American stockpile for use to support health, safety, and emergency response workers.”

Production will take place at Honewell’s Phoenix Engines campus on the north side of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The facility will have the capacity to produce face masks for U.S. states and American healthcare and emergency response organizations.

“The true values of an organization are shown during times of crisis,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “Honeywell has long been a respected member of the Phoenix community and now, during COVID-19, they are stepping up to protect us all. The protective equipment manufactured at this site will save lives across the nation. My sincere thanks to Honeywell and all those serving our nation during this challenging time.”

Darius Adamczyk, Honeywell chairman and chief executive officer, said Honeywell is proud to provide essential equipment to the first responders and medical professionals Americans are relying on during this crisis.

“We have moved quickly to expand our production capacity for N95 masks globally and are pleased to announce our second new U.S. manufacturing line to supply the Strategic National Stockpile,” Adamczyk said.

Arizonans who wish to apply and help in the effort can do so at https://hwll.co/N95-phx.