Since the governor began allowing local jurisdictions to set stricter limits than the state’s last month, a mosaic of rules has emerged, as have clashes over them.
Maricopa County passed regulations requiring facial coatings in public. Staff at Antique Sugar, a vintage clothing boutique in Phoenix, received so much abuse of the mask requirement that the store erected a sign outside: “We will be delighted to discuss the effectiveness of the masks when all of this is over and you come to sell the your dead grandmother’s clothes.
At an exclusive golf course development outside Scottsdale, a woman turned down a barista who told her that masks were needed and turned down the mask she was offering. “People your age are the most concerned,” he said, noting the increase in cases among young people.
In the first months of the pandemic, Ducey took modest measures that the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry applauded as “correct,” but that some mayors and Democratic leaders denounced as too hesitant. Public schools were initially closed for two weeks, a later extended period. Bar, gym, theater and restaurant services initially only closed in counties with confirmed cases of coronavirus.
On March 23, with orders to stay home planned across the country, Mr. Ducey stated that Arizona, which had far fewer cases than the Northeast, “is not there yet.” His executive order listed businesses that would not have to close even in the event of additional restrictions, including salons and spas, golf courses, payday lenders, and firearm dealers.
“My first reaction was, ‘So what’s closed?'” Said Wendy Smith-Reeve, who was the director of emergency management for Arizona at the time.
Ms. Smith-Reeve resigned a few days later, and in an interview offered a curt assessment of the governor’s early handling of the virus. She described a gradual response that ignored the state’s emergency management plan and overlooked people harmed by the virus, including prison guards and Arizona inmates. Ducey imposed a state order to stay home on March 31, then extended the order to May 15, despite protests by some calling for the reopening of businesses. But on May 4, the day before Trump traveled to Phoenix to tour a Honeywell mask plant, Ducey announced that he would accelerate the gradual reopening of the state.
