By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services via The Glendale Star
Newly released data from Maricopa County shows that about half the county—and almost all of the West Valley—is in a “red” zone
Gov. Doug Ducey won’t intercede or criticize school districts that opt to reopen for in-class instruction even though their communities don’t meet the benchmarks set by his own health director.
“We want people to follow the benchmarks,” the governor said at a press briefing Aug. 19. The benchmarks are based on what the health department has decided are three key indicators of the spread of COVID-19.
Only two counties have reached that point: Apache and Yavapai.
And there is no indication when conditions in the other 13 counties will get to the place where the health department says schools can begin “hybrid” teaching, meaning a combination of virtual and in-person learning.
Newly released data from Maricopa County shows that about half the county—and almost all of the West Valley—is in a “red” zone, meaning that health officials advise against any reopening of campuses.
Health department spokesman Ron Coleman said that while some districts may show improvement in one or two of the three benchmarks being used to advise school districts on reopening, the map of a district will show the color of the category showing a substantial deviation from the metrics.
