Rep. John Kavanagh said face masks provide moderate to low protection against COVID-19, but they give a false sense of security. | Pixabay
Rep. John Kavanagh said face masks provide moderate to low protection against COVID-19, but they give a false sense of security. | Pixabay
On the tails of Gov. Doug Ducey’s statewide campaign to promote mask use and as the Republican primary elections gear up for Tuesday, Aug. 4, Arizona House of Representatives District 23 Incumbent John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills) encourages mask use and looks forward to a safe vaccine.
“Almost everyone in my area is wearing masks already,” Kavanagh told the Grand Canyon Times. “We need a vaccine that has been properly tested for both safety and efficacy. People can then decide to get it or not.”
Ducey’s statewide campaign was developed in partnership with Arizona advertising and public relations firms to promote the use of masks and precautions to contain the spread of COVID-19.
“Arizonans can help contain the spread of COVID-19 by taking the precautions we know work, like wearing a mask and practicing physical distancing,” Ducey said in a press release.
The campaign features concepts in both English and Spanish, supported by $3 million from the Governor’s Office for distribution across media platforms across the state for eight weeks.
“Our purpose is to get this message out to all Arizonans,” Ducey said in the release. “We are proud to come together with our partners in the private sector to stress the importance of these practices as we continue to fight COVID-19.”
The campaign features concepts developed by Highnoon, LaneTerralever, LAVIDGE, RIESTER, R&R Partners, OH Partners, Off Madison Ave and communications support from Urias Communications and HMA Public Relations.
“I believe mask usage is a good thing, when in close proximity to others in public. I think it provides moderate to low protection against catching COVID but greater protection from an infected person, symptomatic or non-symptomatic, from spreading COVID,” Kavanagh said. “However, the downside of masks are that they give a false sense of security, which could encourage unnecessary contacts, many people wear them improperly and many people use flimsy cloth, which is close to worthless.”
While there are two seats available for the Arizona House of Representatives District 23, three candidates are running — incumbent Kavanagh, incumbent Jay Lawrence and Joseph Chaplik. The Republican primary election will be Tuesday, Aug. 4.
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