Coronavirus Tucson

Coronavirus Tucson

This is your up-to-date resource page for all things related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Tucson, Arizona. We will do our best to update this content as often as possible to ensure accurate and timely information. As always, please consult a doctor or medical care professional with any concerns related to the Coronavirus or other illnesses.

WHAT'S OPEN IN TUCSON

To help you make plans, we have created this master page to keep you informed about opportunities for fun and education in our community. 

It is important to understand and remember that while businesses and public and private places can be open, many local businesses may still choose to cancel events at their discretion. Please contact your planned destination ahead of time about current hours and any new policies that may be in effect.

Select Libraries are open with limited services.

City and county parks are open, but some splash padsrecreation centers, sports fields, and playgrounds remain closed at this time.

Golf courses are open.

Trails and RV Campgrounds remain open at Arizona State Parks. Parking may be limited and there may be temporary closures to limit the number of people on the trails.

Daycares are mostly open, but may be operating with limit capacities.

Some in-person Church Services have resumed. Some are still offering virtual services. Others are offering services, but with limited or no programs for children. Look to your church for their guidance and leadership. If you would like to watch or listen to a sermon online, you might consider tuning in to hear Robert Furrow (Calvary Tucson) or Eric Naus (Christ Community Church).

All businesses, essential and non-essential, can be open. Most businesses are approaching this situation with great care and concern for both their employees and their customers.

Restaurants are all responding differently, but most are offering takeout, delivery, and/or curbside pick-up. Call ahead to confirm if dine-in is an option.

Bookmans is open. 

Both Barnes & Noble locations in Tucson are open.

Most thrift stores are open, including InJoy Thrift Store.

Reid Park Zoo and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum are both open, but advance reservations are required. Children's Museum Tucson is currently closed.

BEFORE YOU GO OUT & ABOUT

  1. Use common sense and kindness in the way that you approach strangers and friends.
  2. Remember that there may be people around you with vulnerable immune systems. 
  3. Wash your hands before and after leaving your house.
  4. Wear masks into businesses that require them. **Note that the City of Tucson currently has a mask mandate for anyone over age 5.***
  5. Quietly respect the personal choices of other people (wearing a mask versus not wearing a mask, wearing gloves versus not wearing gloves, choosing to enroll a child into school or not, etc). There are many reasons why people opt to do things the way that they do. Each person has a story. Respect that story.
  6. Be careful not to assume that someone is sick and should be at home if he/she is coughing. Allergies can be terrible this time of year.
  7. Stay home if you or someone in your house is ill.

WHERE TO FIND FREE OR AFFORDABLE MASKS IN TUCSON

Since masks are currently mandated in Tucson for ages 5+, you may be wondering where to purchase face coverings locally.

Old Navy has face masks available in-store and online - 5 adults masks for $12.50 or 3 kids masks for $7.50.

Target has basic cloth masks for adults for $2 each or 2 for $4.

If you are 65 and over, you can also request free cloth masks from the Arizona Department of Health Services.

FUN THINGS TO DO AT HOME WITH KIDS DURING COVID-19

Lets Stay Home Coronavirus Tucson | Coronavirus Tucson

We have compiled a list of fun activities you can do with your kids (or give to your kids to use while you work remotely!). Whenever possible, we have included activities that can be done with one to five people. We have also included activities that take a long time (think: legos) to help fill your days with fun. Finally, we have added as many educational products and ideas as we can to maximize the learning while you are at home and to keep academic losses down during the summer months.

PLAY OUTSIDE

If you venture out, please keep these tips in mind:
- Stay six feet away from people not in your family group.
- Bring your own hand sanitizer, water, and snacks.
- Do not expect bathroom facilities or visitors' centers to be open.
- Enjoy the sun on your shoulders and the absolutely perfect weather. 

  • Go on a hike! Pima Canyon and Ventana Canyon are great places to consider.
  • Let's go...fly a kite! A butterfly, a bald eagle, whatever strikes your fancy.
  • Bike (or scooter!) around the block.
  • Picnic in your backyard.
  • Jump on a trampoline.
  • Pogo stick like it's the 1990s. Don't forget to wear your helmet!
  • Plant a garden. A raised garden could be an easy way to get started!
  • Jumprope
  • Take a Dice Walk. Bring two dice to roll at each intersection/block: If the dice roll adds up odd, turn left; if the dice roll is even, turn right. It is a fun way to exercise and keep kids engaged. 

GAMES

  • Bananagrams: This is a super fun scrabble-like game for ages 7+. Can be played with 1-8 players. Race each other to build crossword grids!
  • Retro Edition Games like CandylandChutes & Ladders, and UNO: These games are especially wonderful for early readers or non-readers!

ACTIVITY KITS, BUILDING SETS, AND CRAFTS

  • Magna-Tiles: Magnetic tiles keep kids entertained for hours! Build houses, towers, train tracks, or castles.
  • Wikki Stix: These colorful, bendable stix provide hours of imaginative play and can be used over & over again. Bonus: They don't make a mess like play-dough, glitter, and other more common craft items!
  • LEGOs: Get your kid(s) a really big LEGO kit and watch the hours melt away. Here are some super fun ones we came across: Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle (6,020 pieces), Disney Castle (4,080 pieces), Tree House (3,036 pieces), and Statue of Liberty (1,685 pieces).
  • Do A Dot Art: These markers are excellent for toddlers and preschoolers! Non-messy, vibrant colors! You can even buy corresponding activity books.

READING, WRITING, AND 'RITHMATIC

  • Read aloud a fun chapter book to your children every evening.
  • Practice math facts - addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The Kumon workbooks are great for this.
  • Listen to audiobooks...free from your local library

FREE ACTIVITIES, MOVIES, AND GAMES TO DO AT HOME

WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS?

Covid-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China.

The virus is “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes is “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).

On January 30, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern." On March 11, 2020 the World Heath Organization (WHO) publicly declared COVID-19 "a pandemic."

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN TUCSON

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, there have been 77,854 reported cases of Coronavirus in the Tucson area (link).

CORONAVIRUS DEATHS IN TUCSON

The first death related to COVID-19 in Tucson occurred on March 23, 2020. The individual was a woman in her 50s. (link)

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN ARIZONA

Current Numbers*:

  • Total Cases in the USA: 21,259,997
  • Total Deaths in the USA: 359,849

There are currently 584,593 reported cases in Arizona.

The Arizona Department of Health Services began testing for the COVID-19 on March 2.

*As reported by the CDC. (link)

CORONAVIRUS DEATHS IN ARIZONA

9,741 people in Arizona have died due to COVID-19. The first individual, who died in Maricopa County on March 20, was a male in his 50s. (link) The second individual, who died in Maricopa County on March 22, was a male in his 70s. (link)

CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chills
  • Repeated shaking
  • Muscle pains
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell
Coronavirus Symptoms Treatment What To Do Tucson | Coronavirus Tucson

CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION

The below simple steps may help prevent illness.

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water as often as possible - especially before and after being in public places.
  2. Drink plenty of water.
  3. Get enough sleep.
  4. Eat a well-balanced diet of high-nutrition foods such as fruit, vegetables, eggs, and meat. Limit sugar intake and heavily processed foods.
  5. Avoid too much consumption of television and social media.
  6. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your elbow. (Throw the tissue in the trash and then wash your hands!).
  7. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces - including computers, phones, doorknobs, etc.
  8. Think about how you can help others in your community.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT CORONAVIRUS

If you or a loved one suspect Coronavirus, the CDC currently recommends that you "stay home, except to get medical care."

  • Stay home: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.
  • Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas.

Rebecca Ruiz Hudman, Media Manager for Banner Health, had this to say, "Above all, we urge anyone who is ill with a fever, cough, or having trouble breathing to contact their health care provider to discuss your symptoms and determine if an in-person evaluation or testing is necessary. Ultimately, if you are sick, stay home- do not go out in public. Ill or not ill, we recommend everyone implement personal hygiene habits including washing your hands with soap and water frequently, coughing into a tissue or your elbow, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth."

Common sense, calmness, and compassion are urged in all circumstances.

TESTING FOR CORONAVIRUS IN TUCSON

Where can I get tested for Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Tucson?

  • Pima County has a number of FREE COVID-19 Testing Centers.
  • You may also check with your local doctor to see if he/she is offering COVID-19 testing.

HOW TO HELP IN TUCSON - CORONAVIRUS

There are numerous ways to make a difference for good in Tucson.

  • Remain calm and refuse to give in to panic.
  • Use common sense and check facts before believing misinformation.
  • Check in with neighbors - especially the elderly or ill - to see if you can run errands or grocery shop for them.
  • Do a random act of kindness for a stranger. Buy coffee for the overwhelmed mom at the coffee shop. Bring a meal to a housebound or struggling friend. Write a note to give a sincere compliment to a coworker or acquaintance.
  • Support small businesses. Order take-out from local restaurants. Purchase gift cards to use later. Make an online order if that option is available.
  • Show gratitude to doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel. Bring flowers, chocolates, or a coffeeshop gift card. Smile and say, "thank you."

MORE INFO ABOUT CORONAVIRUS IN TUCSON

Questions about COVID-19? Call the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center at 1-800-222-1222 (they have been contracted to handle phone calls on COVID-19 on behalf of the Arizona Department of Health Services).

You may also want to call the Pima County Health Department for updates: 520-626-6016.

*Last updated on January 7, 2021.

TucsonTopia contains both paid and non-paid mentions of businesses and organizations in and around Tucson, Arizona. Any reference made here to local businesses, services, classes, etc. is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement. We encourage you to do your own research before participating in an event or engaging with a local business or organization. The intent of TucsonTopia is to provide ideas for family-friendly activities, events, and resources. Participants assume all risks for any activities they engage in. TucsonTopia is not responsible for any injuries or problems that may arise from partaking in any of these events and activities.
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