Scottsdale Update - April 13, 2021

COVID-19 by the numbers. Maricopa County has been tracking COVID-19 cases since Jan. 22, 2020. Review the latest numbers here.

Remember, a healthy Scottsdale starts with you. Stay home when you can, practice physical distancing and wash your hands frequently. Find downloadable graphics for social media and request a poster pack for your business or organization.

FDA, CDC recommend pausing Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called for a pause today of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine “out of an abundance of caution.” Six recipients in the United States out of more than 6.8 million doses developed a rare disorder involving blood clots about two weeks after getting this shot. Read the FDA and CDC joint statement.

Don’t be fooled by COVID-19 vaccine myths. Millions of people in Arizona have received the COVID-19 vaccine to safely protect themselves against the virus.  Separate the facts from the myths: Maricopa.gov/COVID19VaccineFacts.

Maricopa County Public Health has answers to your COVID-19 questions. The service is available in at least seven different languages including Spanish, French and Arabic. Dial 602-506-6767 and choose option three to be connected to the multilingual call center. Take a look inside the center with this new video.

Should you get the vaccine if...

• you are immunocompromised? You can get vaccinated, but you may have a diminished immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine. Limited data is available about optimal timing of COVID-19 vaccination among people who are planning to receive immunosuppressive therapies. Individuals should contact their healthcare provider if guidance is needed. Read more on vaccination considerations for immunocompromised people.

• you have chronic medical conditions? There are a number of medical conditions that can put people more at risk for severe health outcomes if infected with COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that the vaccine be administered to those with chronic health conditions if they have no contraindications (i.e., known allergy to an ingredient in the vaccine).

• you have severe allergies? If you have a history of severe allergic reaction, you can still get the vaccine but will need to be observed for 30 minutes following the vaccination. Individuals with a history of severe or immediate reaction to a particular vaccine type or its ingredients should not be vaccinated, or they should get a different type of vaccine to which they are not allergic, unless working with their healthcare provider or allergy specialist.

• you are pregnant or breastfeeding? There are limited data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant women from clinical trials. Based on how these vaccines work in the body, experts believe they are unlikely to pose a specific risk for people who are pregnant. Discuss the science with your healthcare provider so you can make an informed decision. Read more on COVID-19 and pregnancy.

Get details at Maricopa.gov/COVID19VaccineFacts.

The city’s COVID-19 page contains information about the city’s emergency orders, facilities and operations. Learn more here.

Follow us on Twitter @ScottsdaleAZgov and Facebook fb.me/ScottsdaleAZgov for city COVID-19 updates and other city information.

The city Call Center is available 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays to assist residents via phone – call 480-312-3111.

Visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov to access city services online.

Cycle the Arts: Celebrate Valley Bike Month with a self-guided public art tour. This year, Cycle the Arts is a self-guided bike tour of public art pieces from the city’s permanent collection. Sign the waiver and get the route map. Content is available through the Hoverlay App, available on your mobile device. If you don’t want to download the app, you can find out more about each stop by clicking the links provided for each artwork here. Send a photo of yourself on your bike at one of the stops and earn a chance to win a Cycle the Arts t-shirt. Email pictures to Susan Conklu at sconklu@ScottsdaleAZ.gov.

Green Building Education Series offers two free webinars this month. The first features master gardeners Joan Baron and Morgan Winburn who will share tips and planting ideas for your gardens in “Earth Month Spring Gardening.” Now’s the time to act if you are eager to have a beautiful robust garden. The webinar runs from 4-5 p.m. Thursday, April 15. Register here.

The second webinar will show you how you can get started going solar. Join the nonprofit organization Solar United Neighbors for a "Solar 101" webinar to learn how solar works, what it costs and how to save by going solar with your neighbors in the Scottsdale Solar Co-op.

Attend the annual Hashknife Pony Express arrival Friday. This year marks the 63rd ride for the Hashknife Pony Express, which is the oldest officially sanctioned Pony Express in the world.The Hashknife Pony Express arrives at high noon Friday, April 16, inside Scottsdale Stadium to deliver more than 20,000 pieces of mail to the U.S. Postal Service. Come at 10 a.m. when the gates open to enjoy live mariachis, entertainment and food. Get details and learn about more Western Week activities.  

Prescription Drug Take-Back runs April 24. Stop by two Scottsdale locations from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 24, to properly dispose of unwanted, unneeded or expired prescription drugs. Bring items to the Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road, or the Foothills District Police Station in the Market Street Plaza at DC Ranch, 20363 N. Pima Road.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and health issue. According to a recent survey, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

Veg out Saturdays at the Old Town Farmers Market. The market features more than 100 local growers and specialty food producers. Find a variety of organic and pesticide-free produce, seasonal specialties, flowers, natural meats and free-range eggs from Arizona growers. You’ll also find cheese, freshly baked artisan breads, jams, tamales, and so much more. The market runs from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through May, in the public parking lot at 3806 N. Brown Ave.

This week's traffic restrictions in and around Scottsdale. Get the list.