Woman who lost father to COVID-19 says Trump should resign after downplaying virus – The Arizona Republic

Kristin Urquizathe former Maryvale resident who drew national attention for a searing obituary of her fatherthat slammedpoliticians' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic called for President Donald Trump to resign Wednesday after reports he'd purposely downplayed the severity of the novelcoronavirus.

Trump knew weeks before the first confirmed U.S. coronavirus death that COVID-19 was highly contagious and more deadly than the flu, according to a new book by journalist Bob Woodward.Yet, when addressing the public, he claimed the virus was "under control" and would soon disappear.

"The president is on record lying," Urquiza, whose father died of COVID-19 in June,told The Arizona Republic. "Its undeniable, and its inexcusable."

More than 6 million people have been infected with COVID-19 in the U.S. to date, with those over 65 years old hit particularly hard. Nearly 190,000 Americans have died, and countless others face grueling, months-long recoveries.

"Were taught to follow our leaders especially during times of crisis. For people like my dad, he trusted Donald Trump, he trusted Gov. Doug Ducey," Urquizasaid.

"When they, in May, decided to lie to the public and say that it was safe to go out and to resume normal activities, my father followed their advice. For that, he paid with his life."

Mark Anthony Urquizastarted feeling ill June 11, as Arizona grappled with one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in the world. The surge followedamid-May loosening of shutdown restrictions.

The Tolleson residenttested positive for COVID-19 the following day, and was hospitalized five days later.

He died on June 30, at age 65.

"Mark, like so many others, should not have died from COVID-19," Kristin Urquiza wrote in his obituary, which went viral andinspiredothers to write "#HonestObits."

"His death is due to the carelessness of the politicians who continue to jeopardize the health of brown bodies through a clear lack of leadership, refusal to acknowledge the severity of this crisis, and inability and unwillingness to give clear and decisive direction on how to minimize risk."

National media attention helped Urquiza raise more than $30,000, which she used to cover her father's funeral expenses and get a COVID-19 prevention organization off the ground."Marked by COVID" memorializes those lost to the disease online and in vigilsand pushes for mitigation measures.

Democratic leaders took notice of Urquiza's efforts, tapping her to speak about her father and the policy failures she believes contributed to his death during the first day of the Democratic National Convention.

"The coronavirus has made it clear that there are two Americas:the America that Donald Trump lives inand the America that my father died in," she said during her live appearance. "Donald Trumpmay not have caused the coronavirus, but his dishonestyand irresponsibleactions made it so much worse."

She echoed those comments Wednesday, saying it was "devastating to see that the president decided to not prioritize human lives."

"He should resign today, but I suspect he is too cowardly," she said.

The Urquiza family is furious with Arizona leadership for their handling of the pandemic as they bury Mark Anthony Urquiza, who died of COVID-19. Arizona Republic

Urquizaalsohad some words for the media, which she said must call Trump's tactics "what they are: lies."

And she lambasted the governors, members of Congress and other elected officials she deemed "complicit" in carrying out Trump's inadequate pandemic response.

"Our leaders can no longer feign ignorance regarding the severity of the pandemic and Trumps purposeful down-playing of the situation," she said in a public statement, urging themto "immediately and publicly denounce the Presidents tactics and implement data-driven public health measures."

During her interview with The Republic, Urquiza singled out Ducey, saying Arizona needs a leader who will prioritize his constituents versus attempting to stay onTrump's good side. Though the governor has sent condolences to her family, he did not accept Urquiza's invitation to attend her father's funeral.

Ducey has, however,changed his tune on pandemic-related restrictions after observing the state's June spike in cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

Late that month, he clamped downon bars and other businesses with the potential to be virus "super-spreaders." He also allowed local governments to implement mask mandates, now in place in the majority of the state.

Arizona has since been highlighted as a model for reversing a state's COVID-19 trajectory. But it's too late for the Arizonans and other Americans who've already died or been irreparably harmedby the disease, Urquiza said.

"The information released today proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that President Trump has the blood of hundreds of thousands of people on his hands," she said.

Republic reporters Emily Wilder and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez contributed to this report.

Reach the reporter at maria.polletta@arizonarepublic.comor 602-653-6807. Follow her on Twitter @mpolletta.

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Woman who lost father to COVID-19 says Trump should resign after downplaying virus - The Arizona Republic