Grand Canyon National Park
Key Messages – Week of March 15, 2021
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This week’s numbers at a glance:
- The average number of new cases per day in Arizona is 893, down from 1,345 on average per day last week.
- As of Thursday, the total number of cases in the 86023 zip code since the pandemic began is 194. This number represents cases both inside and outside the park.
- There are no new reported cases in the park this week.
- Since the pandemic began, we’ve had 44 total positive COVID-19 cases in the park. To date, and as reported, none of the positive cases resulted from interaction with park visitors.
- More detailed statistics are available on the Coconino County COVID-19 Dashboard.
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Navajo Nation Implements “Soft Reopening”
- Effective Monday, March 15, the Navajo Nation issued a new executive order transitioning from “red status” to “orange status.” This change in status is based off of the declining number of COVID-19 cases, testing availability, hospital capacity and bed usage, and contact tracing. It is important to note that this is not a full reopening.
- Under a separate “safer-at-home” order, the Navajo Nation will continue its daily curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (MDT) seven days a week and outlines revised provisions for gatherings.
- Grand Canyon National Park has no restrictions for park residents to come or go between the park and the Navajo Nation or any other locations.
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NEW Public Health Consultant Changes
If you test positive or become ill, please report your situation to your supervisor and our NPS Public Health Consultant immediately. This is to ensure proper public health protocols are followed and that any exposure to the virus is minimized.
- Don Hoeschele, Commander, U.S. Public Health Service, Mobile: (928) 522-3095, Email: don_hoeschele@nps.gov. Note: Don’s last day as our representative is Friday, March 19.
- Beginning Saturday, March 20 please contact:
- Ronan King, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Public Health Service
- Mobile: (202) 891-8599
- Email: ronan_king@nps.gov
- For all email correspondence, please also cc Chris Glime, Captain, U.S. Public Health Service
- Mobile: (202)641-3518
- Email: christen_glime@nps.gov
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This Week’s COVID-19 Vaccine Update
Coconino County is expanding vaccinations to include Phase 1c individuals and those aged 35 and older effective immediately. There are vaccine appointments available at various locations throughout the county.
- Phase 1c includes adults (18+) of any age with high-risk medical conditions, including the developmentally disabled, and adults (18+) living in congregate settings.
The State and County continue to make significant progress in vaccine administration.
As of Tuesday, March 16th:
- Nearly 110 million American adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Approximately 21% of Americans have received 1 vaccine dose, and about 12% are fully vaccinated.
- Approximately 19% of Arizonans had received 1 vaccine dose, and 11% have been fully vaccinated.
- In Coconino County approximately 29% of the population have received the 1st dose, with 14% fully vaccinated.
- The Navajo Nation continues to have remarkable exceptional vaccination rates, with approximately 40% of the population fully vaccinated.
As of Monday, there have been 1,224 vaccine doses administered at the Grand Canyon Clinic. The clinic is taking new appointments, and priority categories now include those age 55 and older. Once you have registered, the clinic will call you to schedule your vaccination. Should you receive a call from 928-522-9400, this is the clinic calling to schedule your appointment.
- Please note that the Clinic will need to update their website to reflect the new priority groups identified by the County, so appointments for the new priority groups may not be immediately available.
- Please get the vaccine when it is available to you in order to protect yourself, your family and loved ones, and our community.
At a White House news briefing Monday, March 15, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, pleaded with Americans not to let their guard down as case numbers have dropped from their peak, noting that European countries that are seeing increased infection rates saw an upward trend after they disregarded mitigation strategies. “They simply took their eye off the ball. I’m pleading with you for the sake of our nation’s health. These should be warning signs for all of us.”
Let’s keep our eye on the ball by remaining vigilant about following the mitigation measures such as wearing masks and physical distancing so we don’t see increased infection in our community.
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COVID-19 Testing Details
- The Grand Canyon Clinic has hours for COVID testing on Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. If you need a test outside of this hour, you need an order from your health care provider indicating a test is warranted.
- In Flagstaff, COVID testing is available at Coconino Community College at 2800 South Lone Tree Road, and the NAU Fieldhouse at 1050 Knoles Drive.
- Testing is also available at other locations in Flagstaff, including:
- Walgreens on 4th Street
- NextCare Urgent Care
- The Veterans Affairs Clinic
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Messages and Grand Canyon News
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Women’s History Month Feature: Georgie White and Katie Lee
This week, our historic figures for Women’s History Month are women of the Colorado River, Georgie White and Katie Lee.
Georgie White, born Bessie DeRoss, was brave, bold, and larger than life. She was the first woman to start her own Colorado River rafting company, and she had a penchant for wearing leopard print jumpers, way before they became popular. She guided many people through the swift waters of the river, on her G-Rig system of rafts – from the mid 1940s until the 1980s.
After her death in 1992, Mile 24 Rapid was renamed ‘Georgie Rapid.’ Her methods were sometimes unconventional, but her love for the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River was undeniable. Known for a bare-bones approach to tourism, Georgie fed her clients simple meals and splashed cold water over their heads at the end of the trips, as initiation into her “River Rats Society”. “When you come down the Grand Canyon, it’s not a tour, it’s not a yacht trip. It’s an experience!” – Georgie White
»»————-»»————- ————-«« ————-««
Katie Lee, Arizona folk singer and notable environmental activist, was born in Tucson in 1919. She began her professional career in 1948 as a stage and screen actress in motion pictures, radio and television.
In the early 50s, she left Hollywood to become a performing musician on the folk music circuit. She found a following for her music’s praise of Glen and Grand canyons, and she developed notoriety for her unorthodox protests against the flooding and destruction caused by the creation of Glen Canyon Dam. She called for the canyon to be returned to its pre-development state, and for her environmental activism, she was named “the Desert Goddess of Glen Canyon.” “I started writing protest songs,” Katie once said in an interview. “I realized that you could sing a song to a bunch of politicians and they would listen to the song, because songs would have some humor, and the songs would have maybe a thought and an idea that had never crossed their mind, because it had music behind it.”
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Deb Haaland Sworn in as Secretary of the Interior
The U.S. Senate voted Monday to confirm Representative Deb Haaland as the 54th U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary, making the Pueblo of Laguna member the first American Indian in history to hold a Cabinet post.
This is an historic moment for the Department, which manages approximately one-fifth of all US lands, all of which are ancestral lands to Indigenous people. Haaland issued the following statement on this historic moment:
“At my confirmation hearing, I said that we all have a stake in the future of our country. No matter your political party or Zip code, your ancestral heritage or income level, we all must take the formidable challenges that lie ahead seriously, and we will take them head-on, together.
“I am proud and humbled to lead the dedicated team at Interior as we seek to leave a livable planet for future generations. Together, we will work to advance President Biden’s vision to honor our nation-to-nation relationship with Tribes, address the climate and nature crises, advance environmental justice, and build a clean energy future that creates good-paying jobs and powers our nation.
“The change we need will take hard work and perseverance, but I know that together there is nothing we cannot accomplish.”
View her welcome video message here.
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Grand Canyon School Reopening Next Week
The Grand Canyon School will be returning to in-person learning on Monday, March 22. The school will continue to provide a Distance Learning option through the end of the 2020-2021 school year which is June 3.
With in-person learning resuming, please expect increased foot traffic and remember to yield to all pedestrians in the areas of Center Road, Albright Ave., Coconino St., and Boulder St. Speed limits of 15 mph through school zones will be strictly enforced by South Rim Patrol when the school zone lights are flashing.
Flagstaff Unified School District and other schools in Flagstaff will also continue to provide a Distance Learning option. More information is available on the district and school websites.
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Loss of Fellow NPS Employee at Lake Mead
The National Park Service lost one of our own this last weekend. Ranger Charles Otto, a National Park Service Law Enforcement Ranger duty stationed at Lake Mead, died of apparent suicide at his home in Henderson, NV this weekend. Charles leaves behind a wife and two small children.
Ranger Otto had close connections with many of our Rangers here at the Grand Canyon. His loss will be keenly felt, and we are deeply saddened. In memory of Ranger Otto, mourning bands for uniformed personnel are authorized until the date of interment. For non-uniformed personnel, a black mourning awareness ribbon is authorized as well.
During this time, we ask that each of you reflect on the need to care for yourselves, your physical and mental health, as well as that of each of your coworkers. Suicide is something that is very difficult, many times unexplainable, and affects us all in different ways. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, please know that there is help and there are people who care. We are a team and a family, and we want to make sure that we take care of each other, especially during times of hardship.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) EAP offers free 24-hour confidential, live support, counseling referrals, up to 6 free counseling sessions per year; available to all employees and their families. (password: interioreap) 800-869-0276
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline This hotline offers free 24-hour confidential, live support. 800-273-TALK (8255)
- Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) All insurance plans within the FEHB program offer mental health benefits. Benefits vary by plan.
- Responder 911 Call to talk to a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in providing support to first responders. 888-918-3332
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This Week: Lees Ferry Swiftwater Rescue Training
This week from March 16-18, 10 Grand Canyon employees will be participating in Basic Swiftwater Rescue Training at Lees Ferry.
This course is a dynamic, in the water, active three-day training that emphasizes gaining a true understanding of swiftwater safety and rescue in swiftwater environments.
Students will gain knowledge in hydrology and river classifications, size-up, site control and scene management. Practical skills include self-rescue, swiftwater swimming and the fundamentals of shore, boat and in-water rescues. Additionally students are introduced to the basics of boat handling and the fundamentals of rope rescue including mechanical advantage and anchor systems.
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Current Operational Updates
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Mather Point on March 14, 2021 (NPS/M. Quinn)
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Desert View Accessibility
- The East entrance gate remains closed to through traffic on Highway 64.
- Desert View is currently accessible to visitors. Areas include the parking lot, paved trails, and the overlook.
- All facilities remain closed, including all facilities operated by NPS, Grand Canyon Conservancy, and Delaware North.
- Park residents are allowed to continue to come and go through the secured gates outside of the entrance station. If there is an issue with the combination lock at the gate, please contact dispatch immediately.
Weekly Concessions updates:
With spring break in full swing, concessioners are seeing visitation similar to 2019’s visitation.
- Xanterra:
- Bright Angel Lounge (aka Fred Harvey Tavern) will reopen March 18 from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Delaware North:
- Desert View Trading Post, Ice Cream Shop, and the Gas Station will reopen April 2
- Bright Angel Bikes:
- Currently bike rentals are available by walk-up only. Bike rentals are sold out March 14-April 10. Bike rentals may be available on a “walk up” basis in the afternoons beginning at 12 p.m.
The following park closures remain in place:
- East Entrance gate
- Desert View services
- All residential areas
- South Rim Visitor Center and Headquarters
- South Rim Backcountry Information Center
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