Arizona Sheriff Mark Lamb tested positive for coronavirus during his visit to the White House after refusing to enforce the state’s Covid-19 lockdown orders.
Lamb, who was one of the officials invited to attend a meeting on law enforcement and Trump’s signing of executive action on policing, said he has only learned of his diagnosis after a mandatory screening during his visit to the White House.
The Pinal County Sheriff said on Facebook that “while still asymptomatic, I tested positive for the COVID-19.”
“Unfortunately, as a law enforcement official and elected leader, we do not have the luxury of staying home. This line of work is inherently dangerous, and that is a risk we take when we sign up for the job,” Lamb said in a statement. “Today, that risk is the COVID-19 virus.”
The sheriff said he likely contracted the infection after attending a campaign event. It is not clear if he followed social distancing rules or wore a mask at the event.
Lamb, who will self-quarantine for two weeks, alerted the Pinal County Public Health Department after the diagnosis.
Health experts recently warned that the hospital capacity in Arizona could reach a breaking point if cases continue to spike.
“Per capita, Arizona’s infection rate is now more than three times higher than New York state. It’s spreading like wildfire,” Congressman Greg Stanton wrote on Twitter.
Gov. Ducey announced that he will let local governments set their own protocols but refused to implement a statewide order.
“There is a trend, and the trend is headed in the wrong direction, and the actions we’re going to take are intended to change that direction and reverse this trend,” Ducey said during a press conference.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments section and SHARE this story with your friends and family!
Replaced!