Can rural Arizona stave off coronavirus, save local economies?
Screenshot via KTAR
As the coronavirus spreads outward from Arizona’s urban centers, rural towns and cities have been practicing social distancing for weeks as a preemptive strike.
The stakes are high. Arizona’s rural areas tend to have more low income and elderly residents. Rural hospitals and health care facilities, many struggling financially, may not be equipped to handle a serious outbreak.
Businesses statewide are dramatically curtailing operations. Municipal coffers are squeezed. Community leaders also are feeling pressure on all sides as they plot when they can safely reopen their economies and save most of their businesses.
For now, many mayors and tribal leaders are saying it’s still too soon. But opening commerce back up could start in the next few weeks.
As the virus starts to flatten out, recovery will be gradual.
