Issue #13| April 2, 2020
Your COVID-19 news & updates


We will continue to bring you updates on COVID-19 as we are provided with new information. If you receive new information, or if you would like to share info about how your practice is responding, please feel free to share it with us by emailing ldearing@azafp.org. Thank you!
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Free AzAFP COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall Tuesday April 7th- 7 pm

AZAFP COVID-19 TOWN HALL
TIME: APR 7, 2020 07:00 PM ARIZONA



Agenda:
7:00 pm- WELCOME & Introductions- Gail Guerrero-Tucker, MD, MPH, FAAFP, President, AzAFP
7:10 pm- Overview of COVID-19 Situation as of today-
Gail Guerrero-Tucker, MD, President
U.S. Senator Martha McSally
Dan Derksen, MD, Chair, AzAFP Legislative Task Force
Susan Cannata, JD, AzAFP Lobbyist
7:30- Open discussion (members will be able to ask questions or comments)
7:55- Wrap up and discussion of next town hall

NO PRE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! If you would like a text reminder 1 hour before the meeting starts just text 602-663-1806 with your name!

PASSWORD: 346603ONE
+1 669 900 9128 US- (dial this phone number to join via phone only)
MEETING ID: 789 781 830
PASSWORD: 346603

AZ Policy Update
by: Peters, Cannata & Moody plc                           

This morning, the Governor authorized pharmacies to provide  medication refills  without a doctor’s visit – a change that will reduce the need for face-to-face medical visits during the COVID-19 emergency.
 
Several of the citizen’s initiative campaigns asked the Arizona Supreme Court to authorize  online signature gathering  this year, since the COVID-19 emergency has limited their ability to collect signatures in person.
 
Tonight at 6:00 p.m., Governor Ducey is holding a  virtual town hall meeting  to discuss the state’s efforts to combat COVID-19. It will air on local TV and radio stations, and on  The Arizona Republic   website .
Governor Ducey's 04/02/20 Town Hall Meeting Summary:
5000 questions were submitted to the AZ Governor’s town hall tonight from interested citizens. Governor Ducey started out by saying; “we have brought our senior team here tonight and we’re thinking with our heads and our hearts”.  The Governor thankedTthe Army Corp of Engineers who will be available if necessary. The Governor thanked the teachers for helping our kids virtually. He also thanked the grocery store workers for stocking our shelves. Testing is critical the Gov said and he starts his day with both an update on AZ cases as well as a video call with the White House and other Governors.  

Dr. Christ was asked how do we know the real data if people are not being tested in large enough numbers. Dr. Christ said that she has increased testing. Commercial labs are helping out and she said that over 23,000 Arizonans have been tested. Dr. Christ said that tests should be saved for the healthcare workers and first responders. The Gov was asked how we’re comparing to other states in the amount of tests. He said they’ll continue to ramp up testing. We have to prioritize tests and make sure that the healthcare workers, first responders, and DOC professionals are able to be tested so they don’t infect others. Even if people do test positive, the protocols are the same, stay at home and cover your cough and wash your hands. The issue is we don’t have enough tests. We did start testing soon in comparison to other states. We were one of the first state health department labs to start testing. The commercial labs took a bit longer but that is normal. Why are hair and nail salons allowed to stay open the Gov was asked? The Gov said they are trying to slow the spread of the virus. “The best way to do that is to break up large gatherings, so we cancelled school, shut down restaurants, bars and gyms, movie theaters and we cancelled spring training” he continued. Hair salons and nail salons are not considered essential services and are not covered in the executive order the Governor stated. The Governor was asked why is Arizona’s list of essential services longer than other states. He said he’s willing to expand his order. Another viewer asked why there are not penalties for people not complying with the order? He said he thinks Arizonans are smart and will comply and also added that law enforcement can fine people with a class one misdemeanor if they do not comply.

Dr. Christ was asked if someone comes from NY or another hot spot area should they quarantine? She said yes that is CDC policy.  

The Gov has the authority to do what’s necessary to keep AZ safe. He would use every tool in his toolbox to keep us safe.  

Which states are you looking at when you look at our next week and month ahead? Gov Ducey said he is very friendly with all of the other Governors and they meet often virtually.  

When asked whether seniors in high school are going to graduate the Governor quickly answered, yes seniors are going to graduate. The town hall lasted one hour and the Governor’s final words were that he is going to over-communicate to the people of Arizona!


New Order Allows Certain Prescription Refills Without Having To See A Doctor
News Release
April 2, 2020

Order Avoids Trips To The Doctor For Elderly And Vulnerable Patients, While Freeing Up Physician
PHOENIX⁠  — Many elderly and at-risk Arizonans are coming up on a dilemma: schedule a potentially risky appointment with a doctor to refill a prescription or go without needed medication. 

An Executive Order issued by Governor Doug Ducey today provides a solution by allowing pharmacists to dispense emergency refills of maintenance medications for a 90-day supply and an additional 90-day supply if needed. Under the order, Arizonans would be able to receive a refill on their medication for up to 180 days, while avoiding the trip to the doctor. READ MORE HERE
Small Business Administration Business Loan Program Info:
This program can help businesses keep their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. This interim final rule announces the implementation of sections 1102 and 1106 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act or the Act). Section 1102 of the Act temporarily adds a new product, titled the “Paycheck Protection Program,” to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) 7(a) Loan Program. Section 1106 of the Act provides for forgiveness of up to the full principal amount of qualifying loans guaranteed under the Paycheck Protection Program. The Paycheck Protection Program and loan forgiveness are intended to provide economic relief to small businesses nationwide adversely impacted under the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Emergency Declaration (COVID-19 Emergency Declaration) issued by President Trump on March 13, 2020. This interim final rule outlines the key provisions of SBA’s implementation of sections 1102 and 1106 of the Act in formal guidance and requests public comment. READ MORE HERE
ABFM INFORMATION RELATED TO COVID-19 AND CERTIFICATION ACTIVITIES

The American Board of Family Medicine thanks all family physicians for their exceptional commitment to caring for their patients and their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognize that these are truly unprecedented times and want to do everything we can to allow you to focus on what is most important: your patients and your families. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve rapidly and the need for family physicians to care for patients during the outbreak increases, ABFM will continue to communicate with you regularly to make you aware of adjustments we are making with respect to certification activity requirements to accommodate these extraordinary times.
Our commitment is that no family physician will lose their ABFM certification because of the extraordinary patient care pressures associated with this pandemic. Additionally, if you are unable to participate in certification activities or Family Medicine Certification Longitudinal Assessment (FMCLA) in 2020 because of the demands of this pandemic, it will not jeopardize your certificate or your ability to continue your certification. We do not want ABFM requirements to play any role in the decisions you need to make to provide the best personal and public health response to this pandemic. Residents need not be worried about future consequences for their board certification in this regard. We will work with you.
We are working out many operational details. We will communicate these with you in coming weeks. It will take up to a month to reflect these changes in your  Physician Portfolio . We also commit to ongoing review of what is happening as the pandemic evolves and will adjust as necessary going forward.
For specific questions, please look in the links to specific categories below where you can find more information. If what you need is not there, you may contact our Support Center with any questions that you may have. Although our office is working remotely, we will continue to provide seamless service and response times.


Check out ALL of the AzAFP's COVID-19 updates here on our website: AzAFP COVID-19 Resources Page