A Look at COVID

A Look at COVID: July 2021 ARIZONA VIEW

WORLD VIEW

✦ Globally, total reported cases of Covid stood at 183,850,000 on July 9, and total deaths had reached 3,940,000.

✦ June 9, the world saw 282,641 new cases and 6,869 deaths.

These numbers are mostly likely low due to undercounting. ARIZONA VIEW ✦ Currently, the UK and Spain are experiencing spikes due to the Delta variant.

✦ Worldwide, more than 3.35 billion doses of vaccine have been administered – 44 doses for every 100 people. ✦In vaccination numbers, there is a deep divide between rich USA VIEW and poor countries and continents. In North America, there have been 76 doses administered per 100 people, while in Africa there have been 4.

✦ This poses a problem not only of compassion but also of public health, as variants can emerge in areas where the virus continues to spread, and those variants can go global because the vaccines GLOBE-MIAMI VIEW were not designed for them.

WORLD VIEW“The solution is the vaccinations.”

–Asa Hutchinson, Republican governor of Arkansas

ARIZONA VIEW

✦ Arizona has seen a total of 898,908 cases and 18,003 deaths attributed to Covid.

✦ Compared to the rest of the country, Arizona is on the high end in terms of cases per capita, at 7 new cases per day per 100,000. This makes Arizona tied with Oklahoma and Kansas for 10th highest rate USA VIEWin the country. ✦ In Arizona, 44% of the population is fully vaccinated and 51% have had at least one dose.

✦ In June, Gov. Ducey issued an order prohibiting universities and colleges from requiring students to get vaccinated, to get tested or GLOBE-MIAMI VIEW to wear a mask to participate in learning. ✦ July 1, Gov. Ducey rescinded 25 Covid-related executive orders, although many provisions will remain in force because they will become part of regular legislation. For example, the order banning “vaccine passports” is being rescinded and the ban will become part of state policy.

USA VIEW

✦ July 9, total reported cases in the USA reached 33,769,600 and total deaths stood at 605,792.

✦ The USA fell short of President Biden’s goal of vaccinating at least 70% of Americans with at least one dose by the Fourth of July. GLOBE-MIAMI VIEW ✦ As of July 9, 48% of the US population is fully vaccinated and 55% have had at least one dose. ✦ Across June, the USA was seeing fewer new reported cases and fewer deaths per day than since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020.

✦ However, case numbers have begun to trend slowly upward, mainly because of local outbreaks in places with low vaccination rates – particularly in Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, and Nevada. East of the Mississippi and on the West Coast, case rates remain very low. ✦ States with low vaccination rates are seeing nearly three times the new case rate as states with high vaccination rates. ✦ In June, 99.2% of U.S. deaths due to Covid were unvaccinated people. ✦ Research showed that vaccination has prevented 279,000 deaths and 1,250,000 hospitalizations in the United States. ✦ Nationwide, cases increased 10% in the last week of June/first week of July because of the spread of the more contagious Delta variant and low vaccination rates in some areas.

✦ July 9, the CDC issued advice for US schools to hold in-person learning in the fall, even if they are unable to follow recommendations for mitigation. However, the CDC continues to recommend 3-foot social distancing and masking indoors.

“We can all do our part by considering getting vaccinated.”

–Mayor Al Gameros

GILA COUNTY VIEW

✦ To date, Gila County has had 7,132 reported cases and 230 deaths, with 1,375 cases in zip code 85501. ✦As of July 9, Gila County was seeing an average of 3 new cases per day. ✦However, Gila County’s test positivity rate is high, which means there may well be many cases that are not being counted.

“Our economy is on the move, and we have Covid-19 on the run.”

– President Joe Biden DELTA VARIANT UPDATE ✦ The Delta variant was identified in India in December 2020. It is more contagious and more severe than other strains of Covid. ✦ Delta has become the dominant strain in the USA, accounting for more than 50% of cases. ✦ The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is believed to be roughly 96% effective against Delta, and the AstraZeneca vaccine 92%. (Exact numbers are difficult to obtain because of the challenges of conducting controlled trials.) ✦Solid information about the effectiveness of the Moderna and J&J vaccines isn’t yet available. ✦ “Effective” means that the vaccines prevent symptoms, hospitalization, and deaths. They don’t necessarily prevent infection and transmission. This means people who have been vaccinated are largely protected against getting sick, but they may still be able to contract the infection without showing symptoms, and pass the virus on to other people. If those other people haven’t been vaccinated, they could get sick. Since the Delta variant is more severe, there’s a higher than ever chance that people who do get sick could get very sick and even die.

✦ Although the CDC issued guidance in May that vaccinated people don’t need to wear masks indoors, the World Health Organization has recommended that vaccinated people do continue to mask up indoors, due to the spread of the Delta variant – to help protect unvaccinated people.

“It’s not just about instilling in kids the love of reading,” says Robin Wurst, a retired early education specialist and Storytime volunteer since 2012, “We try to teach the parents how to support early literacy development.”

Robin is also President of Friends of the Library (FOL), a local non-profit organization that exists to support the library where city and county budgets fall short. FOL receives grants through the Globe-Miami United Fund which fund the “lion’s share” of library programming.

“Within our community there are so many resources waiting to be tapped,” says Robin. “My priority is to discover and coordinate people and their ideas, expertise, generosity and energy.”

FOL has collaborated with the Humane Society and Cobre Valley Youth Club to create Shelter Buddies. A brainstorm by Thea Wilshire, the new program involves local youth reading aloud to homeless dogs at the animal shelter. FOL has purchased books and will train volunteers to assess.

“The purpose is to make children more comfortable with reading,” says Rayel.

Shelter Buddies was funded through a $10K United Fund “Year of Yes” grant that encourages nonprofits to work together. Implementation of the program has been delayed by Covid and then the fires, and since the inception of the idea, all three organizations have new directors.

“All are super enthusiastic about continuing,” says Rayel, “so that made me feel great.” Original rendering of outdoor space renovation by Rachel Hansen. “ I value the library and it is my way of contributing,” she says.

A Place to Meet and Learn

“A library offers more than books,” Rayel says. “It offers lifelong learning experiences and helps people find jobs.”

Rayel was born in Miami, grew up in Globe and earned an MA in Information Resources & Library Science from the University of Arizona. As a child she participated in the Summer Reading program at Globe Public Library and the Old Dominion Library before it burnt to the ground in 1981. The current building was adopted as the library in 1986.

“I would love to see a new library built while I’m director,” says Rayel.

A larger modern facility for the library is the singular goal of the library’s 5-year strategic plan, approved in June 2018. Rayel doesn’t expect it in the next two years. Police and fire come first.

“The safety of the citizenry should be our top priority,” she says, “but eventually the library will get attention.”

As part of their annual membership and fundraising drive, Friends of the Library (FOL) are putting attention on the library’s outdoor space, currently a few shaded picnic tables enclosed by a chain link fence installed by the city to prevent vandalism.

“I love the outdoor space,” says Rayel. “I wish it were more usable.”

To that end, Robin and FOL have enlisted the help of Rachel Hansen of Tallyho Engineering. With input from the Library Director and FOL Membership committee, they have produced initial renderings of a new vision for the outdoor space. It includes more shade, plant life, flexible seating for reading and fundraising pavers.

“ I value the library and it is my way of contributing,” says Rachel.

She’s also working with artist Kerrie Graham on a colorful mural for the library’s west wall, originally proposed as an Eagle Scout project by Bradley Pollock in November 2019. With financial support from FOL, the project was prepped in early 2020. Then the primer peeled, Covid hit, the project was put on hold and Bradley left on a mission in Slovenia. His Aunt Kerrie agreed to carry the idea forward. The bookshelf design will include classic literature, works from local authors and an image of the Old Dominion Library. Hundreds of volunteer hours will go into the final product. Kerrie painted her first mural in high school and stays inspired by her grandmother’s last words to her:“Keep painting. Let it bring joy to others.”

Grand Re-Opening

In May, all restrictions for in-person use of the library were lifted. Patrons are asked to respect social distancing and optional mask-wearing.

On August 6, the library will host a grand re-opening to celebrate. Friends of the Library will share the vision for the outdoor space and provide light refreshments. There will be a scavenger hunt for the kids. u

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