PHOENIX — The anticipated reopening date is here for Arizona barbershops and salons after Governor Doug Ducey and Arizona Public Health gave businesses the green light earlier this week with safety guidelines.
Many people are questioning the governor's decision to reopen businesses despite the state failing to meet the White House and Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for a to "phased comeback," including a 14-day period and a downward trajectory of COVID-like syndromic cases reported within a 14-day period.
Both the Arizona Public Health Association and the Biodesign Institute overseeing the ASU testing program say the focus should not be on "when" the state reopens but "how" the state reopens.
"A lot more important than the exact date is: How ready are they? Do they have good mitigation measures in place?" said Dr. Will Humble, executive director of AZ Public Health Association.
Humble once lead the Arizona Department of Health Services and says reopening is more about each business taking the steps to protect both their workers and their customers.
He also cautions businesses to keep in mind that customers are watching.
"If you're gonna reopen, you better be darn well ready because the first customers through the door are going to be looking at what you're doing."
"I would suggest that the people that are at risk are those people in society who by the nature of their work have to come in contact with the public," said executive director and professor of ASU Biodesign Institute, Joshua LaBaer.
Here are some facts to remember:
The White House and CDC proposed state or regional gating criteria to “satisfy before proceeding to phased comeback” are: Downward trajectory of influenza-like illness reported within a 14-day period and a downward trajectory of COVID-like syndromic cases reported within a 14-day period.
Cases: Downward trajectory of documented cases within a 14-day period or positive tests as a percent of total tests within a 14-day period.
Hospitals: Ability to treat all patients without crisis care and robust testing program in place for at-risk healthcare workers, including emerging antibody testing.
Arizona has not met the proposed criteria but will begin reopening May 8.
Dr. Humble and the ASU researchers say even then, there are still a lot of unknowns about reopening fully, and it’s going to be key for the public to keep following social distancing and safety guidelines from the White House and CDC.
