Grand Canyon Times

A committee hearing involving state, local, and federal politicians organized to evaluate Arizona’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic fell short of its goal to conclude with legislative recommendations.

The Novel Coronavirus Southwestern Intergovernmental Committee, held May 25-26, provided a forum to share COVID-19 experiences, preventive medical information and review existing pandemic policy.

“What this hearing was about is making sure we're listening to the public and listening to information so that when it's time to make policy, we're able to make the best decisions,” said state Rep. Steve Montenegro (R-Litchfield Park).

Along with Montenegro, state Sen. Janae Shamp (R-Surpise) chaired the hearing in Phoenix. Montenegro and Shamp also serve on the legislature's Health and Human Services Committee as chair and vice chair, respectively. 

“We're here to examine what transpired during the COVID crisis and debrief so that we can gain an awareness of what we did right, what we did wrong, and what we might do better in the future,” Shamp said. “This committee will conclude with legislative recommendations for the state of Arizona and the citizens of the great State 48.”

Shamp, a perioperative nurse by trade, was elected to the state Senate for the 29th District in 2022, after she was allegedly silenced on social media. 

"I was fired for protecting my own medical autonomy from a vaccine mandate for a virus with a 99.7% survival rate," she said as the crowd cheered. "I was taught that if change is needed, you don't wait on someone else. You do it yourself. So, here I am."

Additional committee members included state Senator T.J. Shope (R-Coolidge) and Arizona GOP congressmen Andy Biggs, Eli Crane and Paul Gosar. 

“One thing to me that is abundantly clear is that more collaboration and consultation amongst health professionals during the pandemic would've resulted in a very different and probably arguably more successful approach to COVID treatment and mitigation, including more doctors, more experts and more perspectives that may have resulted in less loss of life and ultimately less loss of liberty,” Shamp told the audience.

In 2020, Arizona recorded 75,700 total deaths, 25.2% from heart disease, 16.7% from cancer, and 11.1% from COVID-19. In 2021, of 81,482 total deaths, 24% were from heart disease, 15.7% from cancer, and 15.6% from COVID-19, according to Senate data.

Featured speakers included Dr. Peter McCullough, Dr. George Fareed, and Dr. Richard Urso. All three physicians were censored or sued because of their anti-vaccination beliefs. They favored treating COVID-19 patients with alternative medicinal modalities, such as ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine.

"The canceling and silencing of anyone questioning information ensure that the public does not get the most accurate and most up-to-date information," Shamp added. "For policymakers, it will be imperative for us when confronted with government recommendations or directives to ask 'What kind of critical analysis and peer review about what you're saying has been done?'"