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WICKENBURG, Ariz. - A group of Wickenburg businesses held a news conference on Thursday, after the city prosecutor decided not to file charges over a decision by three restaurants to stay open during Governor Doug Ducey’s stay-at-home order.
The attorney representing three well-known restaurant owners calls them heroes who stood up for their constitutional rights by staying open
"We don’t have to take things laying down. We have a say in what we do," said Deborah Thompson, who owns Horseshoe Cafe.
Standing united in the Horseshoe Cafe, Thompson, alongside other Wickenburg business owners, said no one would violate their civil rights, not the town’s prosecutor or Gov. Ducey.
The three are represented by civil rights attorney Anthony Ramirez, who says Wickenburg’s prosecutor warned his clients with legal action if they continued to defy the governor's orders to stop dine-in services.
“Just a couple of days ago, he came up and said, 'you know? what the order is gonna be allowed to expire on [May 15] guys. What happened?'" said Ramirez, who is a lawyer with Warnock Mackinlay Law. "Two weeks ago, we were getting orders telling us that they’re endangering lives and they’re gonna threaten you with arrests."
Horseshoe Cafe, Bedoian’s Bakery and Bistro are a couple of the restaurants that remained open since the initial stay-at-home order extended.
The owner of Bedoian's Bakery and Bistro, Kristy Bedoian. is also a Wickenburg Council member. Bedoian says she knew she and her husband did the right thing.
"My oath of office was to uphold the constitution, not only for the people of Wickenburg but all of America, not for just myself, so I felt like when we did this, I had to say I’m doing this for the whole town of Wickenburg," said Bedoian.
Ultimately, Wickenburg decided not to file charges against these business owners. Thompson says she has never stopped taking precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I make sure my staff, if they sneeze wrong, they’re staying home, and I’m short-staffed as it is. So I have done everything in my power to prevent it," said Thompson.
Ramirez says his clients do not plan to counter with legal action against the town. FOX 10 has reached out to the Governor's Office and the Mayor of Wickenburg for comment. They have yet to respond, as of Thursday afternoon.
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COVID-19 symptoms
Symptoms for coronavirus COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. These, of course, are similar to the common cold and flu.
Expect a common cold to start out with a sore or scratchy throat, cough, runny and/or stuffy nose. Flu symptoms are more intense and usually come on suddenly, and can include a high fever.
Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear more slowly. They usually include fever, a dry cough, and noticeable shortness of breath, according to the World Health Organization. A minority of cases develop pneumonia, and the disease is especially worrisome for the elderly and those with other medical problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, or heart conditions.
RELATED: Is it the flu, a cold or COVID-19? Different viruses present similar symptoms
Right now there's one big difference between flu and coronavirus: A vaccine exists to help prevent the flu and it's not too late to get it. It won't protect you from catching the coronavirus but may put you in a better position to fight it.
To protect yourself, wash your hands well and often, keep them away from your face, and avoid crowds and standing close to people.
And if you do find yourself showing any of these flu or coronavirus symptoms - don't go straight to your doctor's office. That just risks making more people sick, officials urge. Call ahead, and ask if you need to be seen and where.
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Why social distancing can save lives amid COVID-19 pandemic
Social distancing is not only about preventing the illness itself, but rather, slowing the rate at which people get sick.
In order to protect yourself from a possible infection, the CDC recommends:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Additional resources
Coronavirus (COVID-19) - How it spreads, symptoms, prevention, treatment, FAQ
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
https://espanol.cdc.gov/enes/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html (In Spanish/En Español)
Arizona COVID-19 Response - Public resources, FAQ, webinars
https://www.azdhs.gov/coronavirus
https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease-epidemiology/es/covid-19/index.php#novel-coronavirus-home (In Spanish/En Español)
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