Editor's note: With our coronavirus coverage, the Star is not trying to alarm the public but to provide up-to-date information so you can make educated decisions about your health. Because of this, weβve made all coverage related to COVID-19 free.Β Help us continue this important work by subscribing to the Star.Β Click here toΒ see the latest coronavirus updates in Southern Arizona. Β
PHOENIX β The viral pandemic is finally getting the state to fund a hotline that has been mired in controversy for years.
But there will be restrictions on what those seeking information can be told about abortions.
Gov. Doug Ducey said Sunday he is allocating $2 million from the Department of Economic Security for the state to contract with the Crisis Response Center to run a 2-1-1 service to provide information on COVID-19. The idea, according to a press release from the governor, is to provide a single βentry pointβ to field questions and concerns from Arizona residents about the virus.
βWith this hotline launch, Arizonans can get important COVID-19 related information in English and Spanish by simply dialing 2-1-1,β Ducey said in a prepared statement.
The governorβs unilateral move to use state dollars comes as legislation to come up with $1.5 million for the 2-1-1 service stalled in the Senate amid disputes about what kind of information those staffing the hotline could provide.
Arizona used to fund the phone and online service until the recession.
Lobbyist Don Isaacson said the United Way has picked up the cost in the interim. He said, however, that it can only afford live operators several days a week and not around the clock.
SB 1328, which would restore sufficient funding for expanded operations, cleared the Appropriations Committee more than a month ago on a 5-4 vote.
But it contains a provision, demanded by an anti-abortion organization, that those providing information about where they can get services are specifically prohibited from helping women find out where they can go to terminate a pregnancy. In fact, it bars any referral to Planned Parenthood or any other organization that performs abortions, even if the request is for something else like a health checkup.
An aide to Ducey said the same restrictions will apply now.
βConsistent with state policy ... funds received under this contract cannot be used to make referrals to abortion services,β said Patrick Ptak.
Ducey, in his release, said the hotline will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week and can be reached by dialing 2-1-1 while in Arizona. Access also can be gained online at http://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/W0-iCXDXZofnq798ps6k_IO?domain=211arizona.org.
Callers can be connected to individuals and organizations who can answer a variety of questions, such as:
- How to prepare for and prevent COVID-19 spread
- Testing information for the virus
- Which groups are at higher risk
- What to do if an individual gets sick
- COVID-19 and animals
There also will be links to websites with βaccurate, reliable and up-to-date information.β
Photos for March 20: Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Tucson-area, Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Updated
Marina Cornelius, owner of Floor Polish Dance + Fitness, teaches her Cardio Party-o class via Periscope to her students on March 20, 2020. Cornelius says this is the first time she's trying to livestream classes and is learning as she goes.
Tucson-area, Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Updated
Marina Cornelius, owner of Floor Polish Dance + Fitness, talks to her students via Periscope before teaching her Cardio Party-O class on March 20, 2020. Cornelius says this is the first time she's trying to livestream classes and is learning as she goes.
Tucson, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
A group of friends from St. Louis enjoy their lunch along Sentinel Peak after a 40-mile bike ride on March 20, 2020. The cycling friends planned their trip to Tucson months ago and decided to keep their vacation plans. They arrived on March 1st and leave this weekend. For the past three weeks they've been cycling through Saguaro National Park, up Mt. Lemmon, Kitt Peak and The Loop. On Friday they got takeout from Seis Kitchen and their bicycle touring company set up tables and chairs for them. They felt they self-quaratined with just the six of them during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
Tucson, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
Ricardo and Vera Escalante say they're addicted to Pat's Chili Dogs and needed to get their fix on March 20, 2020. The pair got their order to go since bars and restaurants are barred from having customers in their facilities due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and decided to enjoy their lunch at the top of Sentinel Peak.
Tucson, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
Khristina Hernandez puts on disposable gloves before cleaning a room at Hotel McCoy located at 720 W Silverlake Road, on March 19, 2020.
Tucson, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
Lacy Tritz prepares an order at the Downtown Dispensary located at 221 E 6th Street, on March 20, 2020. Employees are now required to wear masks at the dispensary and customers will now order at the front desk or online.
Tucson, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
A line grows outside the doors to Trader Joe's at Swan and Grant as an employee limits customers entering the store to one-out one-in, March 20, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
Banner UMCβs drive up system is for emergency room triage for a variety of illnesses and is not for random testing for COVID-19. It has been put in place to keep crowds from the ER and protect the health of patients and staff.
Tucson, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
Banner UMCβs drive up system is for emergency room triage for a variety of illnesses and is not for random testing for COVID-19. It has been put in place to keep crowds from the ER and protect the health of patients and staff.
Tucson, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
Banner UMCβs drive up system is for emergency room triage for a variety of illnesses and is not for random testing for COVID-19. It has been put in place to keep crowds from the ER and protect the health of patients and staff.
Tucson, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
Cazandra Zaragoza, center, reacts to finding out her placement for her medical residency during Match Day on March 20, 2020. Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the annual Match Day event at the University of Arizona was canceled. Students received an email informing them of their placement. Zaragoza was surrounded by friends and family including her husband, Joseph Llanes, right, and her 2 sons, Ezra Zaragoza-Llanes, 7, far left and Eleazar, 10, when she found out her placement is family medicine in San Francisco. Zaragoza is one of the recipients of the Primary Care Physicians Scholarship. The scholarship paid for her last year of medical school. As part of the scholarship, Zaragoza will return to Arizona and work in an underserved or rural area.
Tucson, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
Wade Biehl, manager at Five Points Market & Restaurant, 756 S. Stone Ave., brings a takeout order to a customer outside of the restaurant on March 20, 2020. Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), bars and restaurants have been ordered to only offer takeout options to customers. Biehl said customers are not allowed inside the restaurant and can only call or text in their orders to limit contact with staff.
Tucson, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
Julie Swartzentruber, a server, tells a customer over the phone their dessert options at Five Points Market & Restaurant, 756 S. Stone Ave., on March 20, 2020. Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), bars and restaurants have been ordered to only offer takeout options to customers. Customers are not allowed inside the restaurant and can only call or text in their orders to limit contact with staff.
Tucson, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
A car turns onto a nearly empty 4th Avenue, on March 20, 2020.
Tucson, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
Sarah Lang views responses from her fifth-grade students on Google classroom at Centennial Elementary School in the Flowing Wells School District, Tucson, on March 20, 2020.
Tucson, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
Sarah Lang, teacher at Centennial Elementary School in the Flowing Wells School District, Tucson, talks to parents picking up breakfast for their kids on March 20, 2020.
