Nurses from hospitals across the Valley saw their voices  amplified by Phoenix-based radio groups representing more than 50 stations on Monday, January 25.

During live interviews and recorded public service announcements that participating stations have been running, nurses from the Valley’s healthcare systems Abrazo Health, Banner Health, HonorHealth, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix Children’s, the Phoenix VA and Valleywise Health shared life-saving advice and information about the critical need for safe behaviors that can reduce the risk COVID-19 infections.

As part of a day-long health awareness blitz, the nurses also offered a unique window into the challenges of being on the frontline caring for seriously ill patients.

“Valley radio groups moved at lightning speed to join this very important public health effort so that the life‐saving messages from nurses can be heard throughout the Metro Phoenix area,” said Chris Kline, President and CEO of the Arizona Broadcasters Association.

In addition to advocating for COVID-19 safe behaviors, the nurses also advocated for the critical role of vaccinations over the coming months.

“It’s no secret that Arizona has been one of the highest areas in the world for COVID-19 infections,” said Pam Kehaly, President and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona and co-chair for the Greater Phoenix Leadership Healthcare Task Force. “I am very proud that our Valley radio stations and nurses from all Phoenix area hospitals are teaming-up in this major effort to advocate for safe behaviors and vaccination,” she added.

Participating radio groups have included Bonneville, CRC Media, the East Valley Institute of Technology, Entravision, Entercom, Hubbard Broadcasting, iHeart Phoenix, Riviera Broadcasting, Rio Salado, Sierra H Broadcasting, Skyview Networks, and the student radio station at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University.

The radio takeover event was coordinated by the Greater Phoenix Leadership Healthcare Task Force and Arizona Broadcasters Association.

COVID-19 STATS TO KNOW IN MARICOPA COUNTY

• Almost a half a million residents of Maricopa County have had the COVID-19 virus (426,000+ so far).
• More than 11,000 Arizonans have died from COVID-19.
• Across the country, one in every thousand Americans has died from COVID.  Not one of every 1,000 COVID patients, but one in every 1,000 Americans.
• Our community hospitals are nearing capacity points for ICU beds.
• People of any age can get COVID-19, even healthy young adults and children.
• Even if you don’t feel sick, you can spread COVID-19 to others.
• Arizona still has one of the highest rates of infection in the country.
• Infection prevention is the key to slowing spread of COVID in our community.
• The CDC still recommends social distancing, and cautions that a mask does not substitute for social distancing.
• Arizona is experiencing the consequences of community spread.
• Arizonans can register for the vaccine at azdhs.gov.  This site will help them determine if you are in a group (1A, 1B, 1C or 2) that is currently eligible for the vaccine.