[♪ THEME MUSIC ♪] >>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS, "ARIZONA HORIZON," AN UPDATE ON THE RACE FOR ARIZONA GOVERNOR.

ON "CRONKITE NEWS," A LOOK AT THE LATEST FUNDRAISING NUMBERS IN THE RACE FOR U.S. SENATE.

THAT'S ALL AHEAD IN THE NEXT HOUR ON ARIZONA PBS.

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON," I'M TED SIMONS.

THE COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING THE JANUARY 6TH RIOT AT THE U.S. CAPITOL HAS SUBPOENAED THE PHONE RECORDS OF KELLI WARD AND HER HUSBAND MICHAEL WARD.

THE WARDS FILED SUIT YESTERDAY IN FEDERAL COURT TO BLOCK T-MOBILE FROM SHARING THE PHONE RECORDS.

THE CASE HAS BEEN U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE SUSAN BRNOVICH, WHO IS THE WIFE OF STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE MARK BRNOVICH.

NO WORD ON WHAT THE COMMITTEE IS LOOKING FOR, BUT THEY BOTH SIGNED STATEMENTS CLAIMING FALSE ELECTION RECORDS BACK IN 2020.

>>> MARICOPA COUNTY ATTORNEY ALLISTER ADEL IS RAISING CONCERN FROM COUNTY OFFICIALS.

THE REPORT SAYS SHE HAS NOT WEIGHED IN ON MEETING, DOES NOT ATTEND CEREMONIAL EVENTS AND MORE.

ADEL, QUOTE, DID NOT DIDNY SHE HAD BEEN DRINKING AGAIN.

ANOTHER SUPERVISOR SAYS AS OF YET HE IS NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS.

>>> THE STATE CAPITOL IS STILL BUZZING OVER HOUSE SPEAKER RUSTY BOWERS ASSIGNING AN ELECTION REFORM BILL TO A DOZEN DIFFERENT COMMITTEES.

HERE ARE ALL OF THE COMMITTEES THAT WILL HAVE TO ADVANCE THE BILL.

THE BILL CALLS FOR ELIMINATING THE EARLY-VOTING PROGRAM, BALLOTS BE HAND COUNTED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF AN ELECTION, AND ALLOW THE LEGISLATURE TO OVERTURN BALLOTS.

THAT SAID REPUBLICANS ARE ALIGNING CALLING FOR A STATE AUDIT OF ELECTION OFFICES.

THE LEGISLATION ALSO CALLS FOR TIGHTER VOTER REGISTRATION RULES.

THE ARIZONA REPUBLICAN REPORTS 13 OF THE 16 REPUBLICANS HAVE SIGNED OFF ON THE BILL.

>>> AND IN NOW ANY SOLDIER WHO REFUSES COVID AKVACCINATIONS WILL BE FIRED.

THE POLICY ALSO APPLIES TO ACTIVE DUTY RESERVISTS.

>>> ARIZONA ISCO -- ARIZONA'S COVID CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR COVID ARE BEGINNING TO SHOW A SLIGHT DIP.

>>> A COUPLE OF SPORTS NOTES.

THE NFL FOOTBALL TEAM IN WASHINGTON NOW HAS A NEW NAME, THE TEAM WILL NOW BE CALLED THE WASHINGTON COMMANDERS.

>>> AND A RECENTLY FIRED NFL COACH WHO HAS SUED THE LEAGUE AND THREE NFL TEAMS FOR RACIAL BIAS WENT ON CNN TO EXPLAIN WHY HE DECIDED TO FILE SUIT.

>> I LOVE COACHING FOOTBALL.

I'M CALLED TO COACH FOOTBALL.

I'M GIFTED TO COACH FOOTBALL, AND I STILL WANT TO COACH.

LET'S BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT.

BUT THIS IS BIGGER THAN COACHING.

THIS IS BIGGER THAN ME.

YOU KNOW, THE -- THE -- THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES AS FAR AS THE HIRING, FIRING, AND THE LACK OF -- OF -- OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR -- FOR MINORITY AND BLACK HEAD COACHES AND EXECUTIVES IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE, AND WE NEED TO CHANGE.

WE NEED THINGS TO CHANGE.

>> WE ALSO ACCUSED THE OWNER OF THE MIAMI DOLPHINS OF OFFERING HIM MONEY TO PURPOSEFULLY LOSE GAMES IN ORDER TO GET A HIGHER COLLEGE DRAFT PICK.

HE SAYS HIS REFUSAL CONTRIBUTED TO HIM BEING FIRED LAST MONTH.

>>> THE GOVERNOR'S RACE IS TIGHTENING UP ESPECIALLY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE LATEST G.O.P.

NUMBERS WITH LORNA ROMERO OF ELEVATE STRATEGIES.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU IN STUDIO AS WE TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

AND WE'RE STICKING WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE AISLE HERE.

KARI LAKE SEEMS TO BE COMING BACK FROM THE PACK.

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

>> YEAH, SHE IS KIND OF TAPPING OUT WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT EVERYONE THOUGHT WAS A SURGE, AND SHE WAS GOING TO BE THE LEAD CANDIDATE, AND HER NUMBERS ARE NOW SLIGHTLY GOING DOWN, SO MAYBE SHE HAS KIND OF PLATEAUED WHEN IT COMES TO THE TRUMP-RELATED MESSAGE, AND SHE IS NOT GATHERING MUCH SUPPORT FROM OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> THESE ARE EARLY POLLS, BUT 4-POINT LEAD WITH A 17-POINT LEAD IN NOVEMBER.

IS THIS TRUMP FATIGUE?

>> POSSIBLY.

AND ALL OF THE INDICATIONS THAT SHE WAS AN THE FRONTRUNNER LAST YEAR, IT WAS TOO EARLY TO SAY THAT.

NOW THAT PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO PUT MONEY IN THESE RACES, YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF SHIFTING.

SHE HAS BEEN A HOUSEHOLD NAME, BUT NOW IT REALLY COMES TO CAN SHE ACTUALLY RUN A LEGITIMATE CAMPAIGN AND BUILD THE NUMBERS?

>> YEAH, YEAH, AND MATT SALMON IS NOW AT 17%.

WHAT ABOUT KAREN TAYLOR ROBSON HER FUND-RAISING IS IMPRESSIVE, A LOT OF RAIL BIRDS THINK SHE IS THE ONE TO WATCH.

6% RIGHT NOW.

BUT WHEN WAS THIS POLL TAKEN?

>> EARLY JANUARY, AND FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BEEN WATCHING CLOSELY, KAREN LAUNCHED A MASSIVE TESTIFY BUY.

AND AS SOON AS YOU GO UP ON TV, YOU CAN'T COME OFF.

SO SHE HAS THE MONEY TO SUSTAIN HER CAMPAIGN UNTIL THE GENERAL.

AND THIS IS BEFORE SHE HAS BEEN UP ON TV.

SO IF THERE IS A POLL IN THE NEXT FOUR TO SIX WEEKS, I ANTICIPATE HER NUMBERS WILL BE GREATER THAN THAT.

>> IS -- IS -- AT WHAT POINT DOES THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE SAY, MAYBE I NEED TO QUIT LOOKING BACK AT 2020 AND START LOOKING AHEAD?

>> YES, KAREN HAS ONE BORDER-RELATED AD, AND SHE HAS ANOTHER THAT TOUCHES MORE ON WHO SHE IS AS A CANDIDATE, BUSINESSWOMAN, ARIZONA NATIVE, ET CETERA.

I THINK THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO WRITE HER OFF BEFORE SHE WENT ON TV, I THINK IT'S TOO EARLY TO DETERMINE.

THIS RACE WILL HAVE SO MANY SHIFTS AND TURNS.

A LOT OF REPUBLICANS HAVE THE RUNWAY TO REALLY SET A NARRATIVE OUT THERE.

SHE IS THE ONLY ONE ON TV IN THE ENTIRE GUBERNATORIAL RACE, SO SHE CAN REALLY IDENTIFY HERSELF AND SAY WHAT HER STANCE IS, WHICH IS A HUGE ADVANTAGE.

>> AS THE SAME POLL SHOWED GOVERNOR DUCEY AHEAD OF MARK BRNOVICH ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE IF DUCEY DECIDES TO RUN.

DOES THAT SURPRISE YOU?

>> IT DOESN'T.

THE GOVERNOR IS FINISHING UP HIS EIGHTH YEAR IN OFFICE, AND HE IS VERY WELL-KNOWN.

AND THROWING HIS NAME INTO THE HAT, HE IS A WELL RECOGNIZED NAME.

IT DOESN'T SURPRISE ME IN A SEN NARROW THAT THEY PUT HIS NAME IN, THAT HE WOULD POLL FIRST.

ANY CANDIDATE NEEDS TO LOOK AT THE VIABILITY OF ANY RACE THEY ARE GOING TO RUN, AND LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AND HOW EXPENSIVE THE RACE IS GOING TO BE.

SENATOR KELLY HAS AN INCREDIBLE WAR CHEST, AND THE REPUBLICANS THAT ARE VYING FOR THAT NOMINEE, THEY ARE GOING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY CAN SPEND MONEY AGAINST MARK KELLY, WHO IS SITTING PRETTY NOW.

>>> TRUMP IS STARTING TO SHOW HIMSELF AGAIN, HIS INCREASING PRESENCE.

HOW MUCH IS THAT PLAYING INTO EVERYTHING.

YOU ARE HEARING LINDSAY GRAM BITING BACK A LITTLE BIT.

GOVERNOR DESANTIS STARTING TO SAY SOME THINGS.

>> THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS NOT DEFINED BY ONE PERSON AND IS NOT DEFINED BY DONALD TRUMP, AND I KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE BEEN TIMID TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST HIM ON CERTAIN ISSUES.

WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO HAVE A NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS SPEAK UP ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTION AND THE AUDIT S WHAT NOT.

IF REPUBLICANS WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL, THEY NEED TO BREAK FREE FROM THE TRUMP NARRATIVE, WE NEED TO LOOK FORWARD TO 2024, AND HOW THEY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CURRENT FAILURES OF BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE BACK THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

>> REAL QUICKLY, THOUGH, CAN YOU DO THAT AND GET OUT OF THAT REPUBLICAN PRIMARY?

>> THAT'S WHERE IT IS DIFFICULT.

YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET THE MORE FAR RIGHT WING ELEMENT OF THE PARTY, BUT ALSO THE MORE MODERATE REPUBLICANS AS WELL.

THOSE WHO DECIDE TO IGNORE THE MIDDLE, I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO FIND THEMSELVES HAVING A VERY DIFFICULT TIME IN A GENERAL ELECTION.

>> VERY INTERESTING.

LORNA, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK >>> UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON, A LONGTIME NONPROFIT OPENS A NEW WELLNESS CAMPUS FOR VALLEY YOUTH.

>>> NOT MY KID IS A LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES DRUG-PREVENTION EDUCATION AND EARLY-INTERVENTION PROGRAMS.

WE LEARNED MORE FROM SHANE WATSON, ONE OF NOT MY KIDS' PREVENTION SPECIALISTS.

SHANE WATSON, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

WHAT IS NOT MY KID?

>> NOT MY KID IS A 501 C3 NON-PROFIT FOCUSED ON YOUTH MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS THAT WAS FOUNDED 22 YEARS AGO BY A SCOTTSDALE FAMILY WHO WENT THROUGH THE CHALLENGE WITH THEIR OWN SON.

WE HAVE REACHED OVER A MILLION PEOPLE ARE LIFE-CHANGING, AND LIFE-SAVING PROGRAMS.

>> DESCRIBES SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS.

>> WE OFFER THE FULL CONTINUUM OF MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS.

LIKE YOU SAID, PREVENTION IS WHAT WE WERE FOUNDED ON.

WE TALK ABOUT TOPICS LIKE SUBSTANCE ABUSE, SUICIDE, ONLINE BULLIES AND DIFFICULT BEHAVIORS.

WE ARE DEALING WITH TEENS WHO HAVE STARTED EXPERIMENTS, BUT THEY ARE NOT SO FAR DOWN THE PATH THAT THEY REQUIRE A REHAB STAY, AND WE ARE LICENSED BY THE STATE OF ARIZONA AS AN OUTPATIENT TREATMENT FACILITY, OFFERING ALTERNATIVES FOR FAMILIES, AND WE LAUNCHED OUR PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM WHERE WE CONNECT YOUTH WITH THEIR OWN PEER SUPPORT HELP.

THEN WITH THE LAUNCH OF OUR NEW FACILITY, WE HAVE ADDED A VARIETY OF WELLNESS PROGRAMS LIKE YOGA, MEDITATION, ART THERAPY, MUSIC THERAPY, ET CETERA.

>> MORE ON THESE PROGRAMS, I'M SEEING SOMATIC EXPERIENCING.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> WE'RE OFFERING A LOT OF THINGS IN TERMS OF MINDFULNESS.

JUST BEING SELF AWARE.

JUST BEING ABLE TO RECOGNIZE WHAT YOU ARE FEELING.

NOT PUTTING A LABEL ON IT, BUT JUST ALLOWING PEOPLE HOW TO BE PRESENT AND TO BE MINDFUL, TO SHUT OUT THE NOISE.

BECAUSE WE'RE LIVING IN A VERY NOISY AND DISTRACTED ERA, AND A LOT OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE DON'T TAKE THE TIME TO QUIET THEIR MIND AND BODY DOWN, AND WHEN THEY GET THE CHANCE TO DO THAT, IT CAN BEGIN A HEALING JOURNEY THAT CAN BE INCREDIBLY POWERFUL.

>> ON YOUR WEBSITE, I NOTICED YOU HAD SOUND HEALING AS ONE OF THE PROGRAMS.

IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE?

>> YES, WITH SOUND BOWLS AND THINGS LIKE, THERE ARE CERTAIN FREQUENCIES THAT THEY USE.

I TRIED IT ONE TIME, AND WAS PRETTY IMPRESSED.

>> AND AGAIN, YOGA, AND MEDITATION, THESE SORTS OF THING, AND THE KEY IS EDUCATION.

THE MANNER OF GETTING THAT EDUCATION ACROSS, AND THE WAY OF GETTING THAT PREVENTION ACCOMPLISHES, HAS IT CHANGED OVER THE YEAR?

>> IT HAS CERTAINLY CHANGED IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.

THIS ORGANIZATION WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF US TEMPORARILY CLOSING DOWN OUR OFFICE IN MARCH OF 2020, WITHIN TWO WEEKS WE HAVE PIVOTED ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS ONLINE.

SO WE DID NOT MISS A BEAT.

THERE WAS NO GAP BETWEEN KIDS AND FAMILIES GETTING THE SUPPORT THEY NEEDED.

WE STILL A LOT OF THE ON-LINE PROGRAMMING, BUT AS WE HAVE STARTED TO MOVE BACK TO IN-PERSON THINGS, WE HAVE STARTED TO BRING BACK IN-PERSON PROGRAMMING.

SO THINGS HAVE REALLY CHANGED, AND WE HAVE HAD TO ADAPT AS THINGS CHANGE.

BUT THAT PEER-TO-PEER MODEL, SOMEONE BEING ABLE TO SAY TO A YOUNG PERSON, I KNOW WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE.

I WENT THROUGH THAT TOO.

>> AND YOU MENTIONED THIS IS DESCRIBED AS A THERAPEUTIC CAMPUS, CORRECT?

>> YES, IT'S A 13,000 SQUARE FOOT CAMPUS, WHERE WE OFFER A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS FROM COMMUNITY EVENTS TO GROUP SUPPORT, PEER SUPPORT, EARLY-INTERVENTION PROGRAMS, AND THE YOGA, MEDICATION, ART THERAPY, MUSIC THERAPY.

IT IS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME AND HEAL AND GET CONNECTED WITH PEOPLE AND GET THAT SUPPORT THAT IS GOING TO ALLOW THEM TO THRIVE AND LIVE THE FULLEST LIFE POSSIBLE.

>> WHAT ABOUT FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS?

>> THEY NEED SUPPORT TOO.

IF WE'RE ONLY HELPING THE INDIVIDUAL FACING THAT CHALLENGE, AND NOT HEALING THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND THEM, WE'RE NOT DOING THE FULL JOB.

IF PARENTS HAVE A CHILD THAT IS GOING THROUGH A MENTAL OR BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGE, THAT FAMILY NEEDS SUPPORT TOO.

WE'RE NOT JUST WORKING WITH THE KIDS.

WE'RE WORKING WITH THEIR FAMILIES, AND SOMETIMES WE ARE WORKING WITH THEIR SIBLINGS, SO EVERYONE CAN COLLECTIVELY HEAL TOGETHER, AND THAT'S WHEN CHANGE REALLY HAPPENS.

>> AND PLANS MOVING FORWARD FOR NOT MY KID, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

>> SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD -- WE HAVE HAD SO MANY PEOPLE ASK US -- THE MOMENT PEOPLE HEAR WE OPENED THIS FACILITY, THEY STARTED SAYING, HOW ABOUT ONE IN THE WEST VALLEY?

HOW ABOUT ONE IN THE EAST VALLEY.

AND THERE IS SUCH A NEED FOR US.

SO SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD -- WE WANT TO GROW RESPONSIBLY -- I COULD SEE WELL CAMPUSES LOCATED IN OTHER CITIES, AND PERHAPS OTHER STATES.

>> SHANE WATSON THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR CONTINUED SUCCESS.

WE APPRECIATED YOUR TIME.

>>> WHAT IS GOING ON WITH FREE COVID MASKS AND HOME COVID TEST KITS?

HOW ARE THEY ACQUIRED?

HOW ARE THEY DISTRIBUTED?

WE ASKED THOSE QUESTIONS OF DR. SWAPNA REDDY, FROM ASU'S COLLEGE OF HEALTH SOLUTIONS.

DR. SWAPNA REDDY, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THESE FREE MASKS, THESE HOME KITS, ALL THAT IS GOING ON WITH COVID RIGHT NOW.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THESE THINGS.

>> YEAH, LISTEN, WHAT WE KNOW RIGHT NOW IS WE ARE STILL LIVING THROUGH THE OMICRON SURGE, AND WHILE THINGS ARE STARTING TO LOOK A LITTLE BIT BETTER, MASKING IS STILL REALLY A KEY MITIGATION STRATEGY, AND THE CDC RECOMMENDED THAT WE NEEDED TO SHIFT OVER TO N95, 10-95 MASKS.

AND WE KNOW THOSE NEW MASKS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE, AND THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY AS REUSABLE AS THE CLOTH MASKS ARE.

SO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION VERY RECENTLY HAS MADE A PROVISION FOR ALL AMERICANS TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THREE FREE MASKS, AND SO YOU CAN GO ON TO -- YOU CAN GO TO ANY SORT OF CONVENIENCE STORE, PHARMACY, ET CETERA, AND GET A FREE N95, AND THAT'S PER DAY, PER PERSON, SO THAT CERTAINLY IMPROVES ACCESS TO THOSE MASKS, AND THE QUALITY OF THOSE MASKS.

IT IS A LITTLE BIT LATE.

WE WISH THIS PROVISION WOULD HAVE COME OUT EARLIER, BUT I GUESS BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, SO WE NEED TO WORK ON PEOPLE SWITCHING OF TO THOSE TYPES OF MASKS AND USING THEM.

OMICRON IS VERY CONTAGIOUS.

AND PCR IS THE BEST TESTING AVAILABLE, AND SORT OF A MORE EASY, IMMEDIATE ACCESSIBLE TYPE OF TEST ARE THESE RAPID HOME TESTS, BUT THEY ARE A LITTLE BIT HARD TO FIND.

IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND THOSE TESTS.

AND ANOTHER THING, A SET OF TWO IS ANYWHERE BETWEEN 18 TO $23, SO NOT THAT AFFORDABLE, RIGHT?

AND YOU CAN BURN THROUGH THOSE REALLY QUICKLY, SO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS ALSO RELEASED ON EFFORT WHERE AMERICANS CAN GO ON LINE AND RECEIVE FOUR FREE TESTS PER HOUSEHOLD.

DO WE WISH THIS CAME OUT SOONER?

YES.

BUT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP, AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE KIND OF SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE FREE AND ACCESSIBLE TESTING, BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, IF YOU ARE A FAMILY OF FOUR LIKE I AM, YOU CAN BURN THROUGH THOSE TESTS IN ONE SITTING, AND ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A LARGER FAMILY, IT IS NOT EVEN ENOUGH.

>> AND LET'S TALK ABOUT MITIGATION EFFORTS.

HOW FAR DO I HAVE TO STAY AWAY?

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WEAR MY MASK?

IT'S PRETTY CONFUSING OUT THERE, SWAPNA.

>> YEAH, IT'S PRETTY CONFUSING.

IT'S CONFUSING FOR ALL OF US.

IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT SCIENCE IS CHANGING, OUR UNDERSTANDING IS CHANGES, ESPECIALLY AS NEW VARIANTS COME ALONG.

DOES PUBLIC HEALTH NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB ABOUT MESS AGEAGEING?

ABSOLUTELY.

WE KNOW MASKING IS IMPORTANT, AND CLOTH MASKS JUST DON'T SEEM TO BE NEARLY AS EFFECTIVE AS THEY NEED TO BE.

WE NEED TO SWITCH OVER TO THOSE MEDICAL-GRADE MASKS.

AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO DO IT INDOORS?

YES.

INDOOR MITIGATION EFFORTS ARE VITAL.

OUTDOOR MASKING, OBVIOUSLY BEING OUTSIDE SEEMS TO BE A STRONG PROTECTIVE FACTOR, SO LESS IMPORTANT TO BE MASKING OUTSIDE THAN INSIDE IN CROWDED AREAS.

IN TERMS OF STAYS HOME FROM WORK, AND STAYING ISOLATED, THE CDC HAS SHIFTED OVER TO 5 DAYS INSTEAD OF 10 DAYS IF YOU HAVE NO SYMPTOMS.

THAT IS WHAT THE CDC IS RECOMMENDING, AND WHAT MOST BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS HAVE SWITCHED OVER TO AS WELL.

BUT STILL THE GREATEST MITIGATION EFFORTS ARE VACCINATION, WHICH WE CAN DO BETTER ON, AND MASKS, ABSOLUTELY, AND STAYING HOME IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING WELL, OR YOU ARE POSITIVE.

>> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM THESE FREE HOME TEST KITS, AND THESE MASKS, ALL OF THIS FOR PEOPLE WITH MEANS, YOU UNDERSTAND AND YOU CAN DO A, B, AND C?

WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WITHOUT A LOT OF INCOME?

>> YEAH, OUR VACCINE GAP HAS CERTAINLY CLOSED UP QUITE A BIT WITH CERTAIN POPULATIONS, BUT WE'RE STILL NOT WHERE WE NEED TO BE, ESPECIALLY WITH CERTAIN RACIAL POPULATIONS, LIKE BLACKS AND HISPANICS.

NEW YORK STATE IS ALMOST 75%, ON THAT METRIC, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE'RE THINKING ABOUT, ALSO, WHO IS THE MOST EXPOSED TO THIS OMICRON VARIANT?

WE THINK ABOUT OUR FRONT LINE WORKERS, AND IT'S NOT JUST FOLKS IN HEALTHCARE.

IT IS OFTEN OUR SERVICE WORKERS, RIGHT?

THEY TEND TO BE LOWER WAGE WORKERS, DISPROPORTIONATELY PEOPLE OF COLOR.

AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT SOMEBODY WORKING AT THE GROCERY STORE, THEY MIGHT BE MASKED, BUT WE DON'T HAVE MASK MANDATES IN MANY PARTS OF THE STATE.

AND SO YOU MAY HAVE CUSTOMERS TALKING AT YOU, BREATHING AT YOU, COUGHING AT YOU, AND SO THEY ARE PUTTING THEMSELVES OUT THERE ON A DAILY BASIS AND PUTTING THEMSELVES AT RISK ON A DAILY BASIS, AND THOSE PAID SICK-LEAVE PROVISIONS THAT WERE ABLE EARLIER IN THE PANDEMIC, ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

SO IT -- YOU KNOW, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF OPTIONS IF YOU GET SICK, OR YOU THINK YOU MIGHT BE SICK, OR IF YOU HAVE LIKE SAY A KID THAT MIGHT BE HOME -- >> YEAH.

YEAH.

DR. SWAPNA REDDY, FROM ASU'S COLLEGE OF HEALTH SOLUTIONS.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AND THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M TED SIMONS.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HALF HOUR ON ARIZONA PBS, TWO ARIZONA ATHLETES ARE HELPING TO GROW THE GAME OF PICKLEBALL IN THE STATE.

♪♪