Thread by @BenWinslow

At 10:30 a.m., @GovHerbert will hold a news conference with the latest on #COVID19

I'll be live-tweeting it. You can watch it on fox13now.com and on our Facebook page.

@fox13 #utpol

Right off the top, I'm told @GovHerbert will address the situation with the orders issued by @UtahDepOfHealth, @SaltLakeHealth and @UtahCountyGov Health on limiting gatherings of 10+ people: fox13now.com/news/local-new… @fox13 #utpol

The larger @GovHerbert news conference will focus on economic impact of #COVID19. I see @saltlakechamber, Utah Restaurant Association, @JobsUT folks here in the briefing room (which is ATTEMPTING to exercise social distancing as more media crowds in). @fox13 #utpol

.@saltlakechamber's Derek Miller begins by saying they need to mitigate/slow down the spread of #COVID19.

He says they're flattening the curve, but they also need to "flatten the dip" and mitigate economic impact. @fox13 #utpol

Resources at coronavirus.utah.gov for economic impact.

Miller says they've got a plan: Urgent phase, stabilization phase, recovery phase. It'll be unveiled next week.

@fox13 #utpol

Miller says local businesses are showing leadership by adapting, innovating.

Curbsideutah.com will tell people restaurants still serving. Businesses encouraged to post on social media. @fox13 #utpol

.@GovHerbert thanks the press for being here.

"These are troubling times. There's a lot of rumors of what's happening and not happening," he says for fact-checking myths and rumors.

@fox13 #utpol

"We want to make sure that people are safe, they're going to have good health," @GovHerbert says.

He now addresses the order of 10+ people gatherings. @UtahDepOfHealth did it at the same time of restaurant restrictions. @fox13 #utpol

"When we put that out... our communication was probably not as good," @GovHerbert says of @SaltLakeHealth, @UtahCountyGov.

His intent was more VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE.

"Not that this was going to become some kind of police state and they'd be prosecuted," he says. @fox13 #utpol

"We are going to revise that..." @GovHerbert says, working with local government officials.

It's a RECOMMENDATION but there won't be a penalty, he says.

But if there comes a NEED, governor says they may have to take it further. @fox13 #utpol

.@GovHerbert says restaurant order will be revised for best practices to see if they can re-open to allow customers into dining areas.

"We are very concerned first and foremost about the health and welfare of the people," he says. @fox13 #utpol

.@GovHerbert shut down rumors about @UTNationalGuard shutting everything down. It's NOT happening.

He says what Utah is experiencing with #COVID19 is temporary.

"There's reason to be hopeful and optimistic," @GovHerbert says. @fox13 #utpol

.@MeritMedical talking about how it's functioning, including temperature screenings, social distancing, enhanced cleaning, etc.

They manufacture medical devices. @fox13 #utpol

.@ZionsBank CEO Harris Simmons says they will offer loan payment deferrals for 90 days to those in good standing.

Moratoriums on foreclosures and repossessions. SBA providing loans and legislation by Congress providing more relief, he says. @fox13 #utpol

.@ZionsBank says customers should use mobile apps, online banking to avoid customers going in. Call ahead if you need an appointment.

Simmons says people are coming into take out large amounts of cash.

"You're more likely to be robbed than we are," he says. @fox13 #utpol

Do NOT keep large amounts of cash at home, Simmons says.

Be wary of scams out there, he says. Support local businesses. Get the drive-thru/curbside, call your local businesses to buy and pick up. @fox13 #utpol

.@IvoryHomes says it is still selling homes and following all recommendations including social distancing, hygiene rules, etc.

"We are also doing additional sanitized cleans," Clark Ivory says.

Model home showings by appointment only. @fox13 #utpol

Kenny Kimball, the CEO of Smith's Food & Drug, says they're working to make sure everything is going.

He thanks customers and associates for patience, kindness in this situation. @fox13 #utpol #COVID19

@fox13 There are things in short supply/high demand and the earthquake didn't help.

Every store has more stuff coming in.

"Our warehouse teams have worked around the clock. Our associates are working... to keep stores replenished," he says. @fox13 #utpol

Smith's is going to start limiting hours to clean and re-stock. 8a-8p.

M,W,F, they will open an hour early for seniors 60+.

"We've been hiring almost every day to meet the demands," Kimball says. They hired 500 people last week. They need people. @fox13 #utpol

"We're cleaning every day," Kimball says.

They are putting associates first and monitoring them. If anyone is sick or their family is sick? They stay home.

Of the 20,000 employees? So far, no positive testings. @fox13 #utpol

"Our associates are really our heroes. They're showing up every day. They're coming to work to take care of us," Kimball says of Smith's Food and Drug employees.

Buy only what you need, he says. Be kind to others.

"We're all going to get through this together." @fox13 #utpol

.@RMP_Utah president says the earthquake on top of #COVID19?

"It was an incredible test of our ability to recover," he says.

Crews responded after quake at 7am and had just about everyone with power by 10pm. @fox13 #utpol

.@RMP_Utah says it will NOT disconnect any customers during #COVID19.

"We are looking out 2, 4, 6 months," he says.

@fox13 #utpol

AT&T's Tara Thue says they've seen a substantial increase in voice traffic, data, etc. Their stores remain open to help those who need them (but they will increase social distancing, cleaning, etc.)

WiFi hotspots remain open and urging social distancing. @fox13 #utpol

"This is a trying time for many Utahns who are worried about their jobs and next paycheck," Thue says.

AT&T will NOT terminate service and waives late fees for wireless customers due to inability to pay bill as a result of #COVID19, she says. @fox13 #utpol

"We are committed to keeping Utahns connected," she says.

Simon Shaner, a restaurateur, and Melva Sine with the Utah Restaurant Association are now up.

"Make sure you manage your cash," they say to restaurants in Utah. @fox13 #utpol

"We're doing everything we can to feed our employees," Shaner says.

Employees eating for free at their restaurants, he says.

He calls on government to talk about constructive ways to keep them open and re-opening. @fox13 #utpol

Shaner supports "best practices" for hygiene and says they should be exploring ways to re-open.

"Restaurants are open. We are clean," he says. "We need your support. Now is the time, if you have a favorite restaurant you want to see survive... go there today." @fox13 #utpol

Shaner says restaurants are quickly learning about @DoorDash, @UberEats and @Grubhub to stay afloat.

@saltlakechamber says Utah can achieve a full economic recovery. @fox13 #utpol

Keep people at the forefront of their minds, Miller says.

@GovHerbert encourages people to "buy local."

"Cows are still producing milk... chickens are still laying eggs... manufacturers are still making toilet paper." Don't panic. Don't hoard.

@fox13 #utpol

First Lady Jeanette Herbert celebrated her birthday with takeout and gift cards at her favorite restaurants, @GovHerbert says.

"Help us get through this troubled time," he says, urging others to do the same. @fox13 #utpol

"Government IS OPEN," @GovHerbert says, reiterating they will NOT be closing because of #COVID19. "Government is open to help."

He says Utahns are great people who volunteer and support each other, asking people this weekend unite in prayer. @fox13 #utpol

Whether you are religious or not, he says ask for strength, courage, direction and help.

He also urges service to neighbors, those who are vulnerable.

"Lift their spirits," he says. @fox13 #utpol

"Find ways to serve your fellow man," @GovHerbert says as everyone endures #COVID19.

The governor says Utah has always focused on being prepared.

Economic downturn is another challenge, he says. The state can adapt, innovate and overcome. @fox13 #utpol

"This is a short term issue," @GovHerbert says. "We know for those hurting right now, it's a big deal."

But the governor says they will get through this. @fox13 #utpol

Back to the @SaltLakeHealth, @UtahCountyGov says communication was the problem and emphasis on penalties and fines was not "received well."

@UtahDepOfHealth didn't know that, but he also owns miscommunication.

10 or less is a RECOMMENDATION. @fox13 #utpol

I ask @GovHerbert about evictions/foreclosures and any moratorium on that, he says they are meeting with the #utleg to discuss what they can do on a state level.

Federally, there are some mortgage delays happening, he says.

"No decisions have been made at this time," he says.

What does he say to those laid off?

"We have one of the best ( @JobsUT ) in the nation," he says, urging people to get in touch with them.

He says people should apply for unemployment.

@fox13 #utpol

.@GovHerbert, getting fired up, calls on those who are wealthy in the state in the private sector to contribute to those in need. Donate to food banks, shelters, etc.

@fox13 #utpol

"I believe in the common sense of the people of Utah," @GovHerbert says.

He signals he is clearly NOT a fan of that order. He notes some Utah families are more than 10+ people.

@fox13 #utpol

NO plans for curfew or quarantine, @GovHerbert says. He wants people to have as much of a normal life as they can in this unique situation.

He says go to parks, get outdoors and not just be stuck in home. (Just practice social distancing.)

@fox13 #utpol

.@GovHerbert says he'd like to explore ways to re-open movie theaters (with appropriate social distancing).

He says they need to adapt and will get through this.

News conference OVER. @fox13 #utpol