Press Briefing by ViPence and Ducey on COVID-19, Phoenix, AZ; July 1, 2020

[mahatmakanejeeves]

REMARKS

Press Briefing by Vice President Pence and Governor Ducey of Arizona on COVID-19 | Phoenix, AZ
HEALTHCARE

Issued on: July 1, 2020

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Phoenix, Arizona

12:57 P.M. MST

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, good afternoon.

{snip}

And I want to say, first and foremost, to Governor Ducey that, from the very first days of this pandemic, your leadership and your entire team in Arizona has really formed a seamless partnership with our administration, with the White House Coronavirus Task Force. And up until roughly three weeks ago, Arizona had literally set the pace in slowing the spread, in flattening the curve. And we’re grateful to you, to your team, and to all the people of Arizona for all of their efforts over the past four months.

{snip}

And finally, let me say: The President and I couldn’t be more grateful for Governor Ducey’s leadership throughout this coronavirus pandemic.

{snip}

It’s been — it’s been tremendous leadership here in Arizona since the first days of this pandemic.

{snip}

GOVERNOR DUCEY: Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

I want to say thank you, Mr. Vice President, for your leadership and your partnership throughout this pandemic. It was great to see you today in person, but I’m able to see you at least once or twice a week on the constant communication that we have from the Coronavirus Task Force. We very much appreciate it — your commitment and President’s — Trump’s commitment to serving Arizona and helping us solve the issues that are in front of us today.

{snip}

So I couldn’t be more grateful for your partnership and leadership in this battle.

{snip}

And with that, I want to turn the podium over to Secretary Wolf of Homeland Security, who has been an incredible partner as well on everything that Arizona has needed — not only with the focus from FEMA, but whatever issues we’ve had at the border, as well. For that, we’re grateful.

Secretary Wolf.

SECRETARY WOLF: Let me first start off by again thanking the Vice President for his leadership of the Coronavirus Task Force and the team that he’s really put together, several of which are here today. It’s really been outstanding.

Let me also thank Governor Ducey, again, for your leadership throughout the pandemic, but particularly over the last several weeks as you’ve seen cases increase here, and again, for the team that you’ve pulled together as well.

{snip}

DR. BIRX:

{snip}

We know this virus is circulating actively in several counties. We also know that there are other counties at risk, and I want to call on all the county leadership and the individuals in each of these counties that, as soon as you see an increase in your test positivity rate, to put on a mask, protect one another.

{snip}

To all of our Millennials and Gen Z, thank you. Thank you for your leadership and showing how important the mask and social distancing are, and that communication that you’re having with your parents and your grandparents to protect them.

{snip}

So thank you, Governor Ducey, for your leadership, for your looking at the science and the data and the evidence. Thank you to your health team and the brilliant Dr. Christ. It’s been a pleasure to spend time with you and your amazing county public health leaders who understand how to get into the community. Thank you for your time and the respect that you gave me by wearing masks in public.

{snip}

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Okay. Questions?

Yes, please.

{snip}

And so the Secretary and I will be speaking on Air Force Two with the leadership at FEMA to identify the personnel that are available. But they’ll be packing up and moving out, because we want the incredible healthcare workers here in Arizona to know that help is on the way. And we’ll be detailing that to the governor in the next couple of days.

{snip}

And with the strong leadership of Admiral John Polowczyk, we’ve made sure the states at the point of the need —

{snip}

But President Trump has brought unprecedented leadership, and we’ve spared no expense, we’ve pulled together all the resources of this nation, and we’re going to continue to do that every single day until that day comes that we put the coronavirus in the past.

{snip}

And we have every confidence in the governor’s leadership and local health officials across this state that Arizonans are going to be able to do what you did before. You’re going to be able to slow the spread and flatten the curve.

{snip}

And we’re going to move this state forward, we’re going to get this economy moving, and we’re going to get our kids back to school. That’s our aim; that’ll be our focus. And I want to thank the governor again and his extraordinary team for their — their leadership and their partnership.

We’re with you, Arizona, and we’re going to stay with you every day until that day when we put the coronavirus in the past.

So, thank you all. And God bless you.

END

1:34 P.M. MST

[soothsayer]

1. Yay! Field hospitals could come

Snip

As I said, we were encouraged to hear that hospital capacity remains manageable: 88 — 85 percent of medical beds and only 88 percent of ICU beds. But the governor and I also spoke today about two additional facilities that were already reviewed and developed by the Army Corps of Engineers, and the governor knows that we’re prepared to stand those surge facilities up in very short order if the need should arrive.

[Funtatlaguy]

2. All Republicans that support Trump are perfect people. Yay!

[gademocrat7]

3. Same canned lies from Mr. cotton swab.