Arizona officials urge keeping mask mandate

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This photo shows the Brown family of Atlanta, from left, Jayde Brown, Jay’Elle Brown, Jayson R. Brown, Tammy Brown and Jayson E. Brown at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Dec. 27, 2019. Parents Tammy and Jayson have been taking their kids on educational trips for five years and are among families heading out with remote-learning kids during the new school year rather than leaving them stuck at home. (Jayson E. Brown via AP).

Hospital officials and Arizona’s schools chief are urging local governments not to lift their mask mandates.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman said Wednesday that schools are depending on continued efforts to control the coronavirus outbreak. An association representing large hospital chains said lifting mask mandates risks burdening the health care system.

The mayor of a western Arizona tourist destination on Monday lifted a citywide mask mandate originally ordered in July requiring facial coverings indoors when social distancing was not possible. The News-Herald reported that Lake Havasu City Mayor Cal Sheehy suspended the mandate on Monday after it was extended twice.

Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.