Governor’s mask mandate contrary to CDC guidelines; Covid-19 showing potential surge in Prescott/Prescott Valley

Yavapai Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine, told the Clarkdale Town Council July 13 during her update on the College that she must comply with Governor Doug Ducey’s order regarding COVID-19. She said that “the Governor put out an executive order that does not allow any public college to require masks, vaccines, [or] testing . . ..”

As of Friday, July 16, COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised unvaccinated students and staff to continue to wear masks inside school buildings. 

Meanwhile COVID-19, driven by the Delta virus, is making itself heard in Yavapai County and in particular the Prescott Valley/Prescott area.  Yavapai  County reported a total of 45 new COVID cases in total appearing in those two cities in its July 15 report.  A day earlier it had reported 28 new cases in total in those two cities . Worse,  the July 13 report from the County found a total of 80 new COVID cases in total at the same two locations. On Friday, July 16 the State reported 64 new COVID cases in Yavapai County with two deaths associated with the disease. The state also reported 1,251 cases state-wide with 17 persons dying from the disease on July 16.

(Video/audio clip below of Dr. Ryan speaking to Clarkdale Council about the Ducey Executive Order.)