Thread by @BenWinslow

JUST IN: @UtahDepOfHealth reporting 7,710 cases of #COVID19 in Utah. 2 new fatalities. 179,664 tests administered. 631 hospitalizations since the beginning of the outbreak. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

Here's where we are on "the curve."

If you want the math:

#COVID19 cases: 7,710 (192 new)
Tested: 179,664 (2,353 new)
Hospitalizations: 631 (12 new)
Deaths: 90 (2 new)

@fox13 #utpol #Utah

Here's some additional info on the fatalities reported by @UtahDepOfHealth.

@GovHerbert and @DrAngelaCDunn will hold a briefing around 1:30pm. @fox13 will air it on TV and online and I'll be live-tweeting.

#utpol #Utah

The wonderful graphics folks at @fox13 have crunched all the relevant info on the state of #COVID19 in Utah into one easy to see slide.

Again, @GovHerbert expected to hold a news conference in a few minutes. #utpol #Utah

"We're doing very well as a state," @GovHerbert begins in his weekly #COVID19 briefing.

They have the brightest/best people working to develop the best plan in America, he says. (He's touting "Utah Leads Together"). @fox13 #utpol #Utah

He's announcing "Utah Leads Together 3.0." Utah has moved faster toward a stabilization phase than expected.

Utahns are following guidelines, @GovHerbert says. Most cities/counties are in lower risk categories. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Summit and Wasatch counties have asked to go to YELLOW on the risk level, @GovHerbert says.

@UtahDepOfHealth is analyzing the request, he says. No decision yet.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Infection rate is flattening, @GovHerbert says.

"We've been able to save lives and slow down the spread," he says. Health care system not overwhelmed and could handle a surge.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@GovHerbert expresses condolences to the loved ones of those who have died of #COVID19.

"Utah mourns with you," he says.

He is still concerned about those 65+ (about 70%) who are vulnerable.

He notes fear of life and livelihood. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

Now to "Utah Leads Together version 3."

The new plan does more for those who are vulnerable and minority communities.

He calls the plan "a bold vision to accelerate" economic opportunities. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Utah is poised to recovery well economically, @GovHerbert says.

Seven companies have already agreed to expand here in the midst of the pandemic.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

"I'm bold enough to predict... our unemployment rate will be lower than the national average," @GovHerbert says.

He says goal is to protect lives and livelihood.

Goal is to move in the next few weeks into complete recovery mode. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@DrAngelaCDunn now up with the numbers I tweeted earlier.

She says people need to understand what makes you "high risk."

65+
Long-term care facility
Underlying medical condition (immunocompromised).

She says it's our responsibility to protect them. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@DrAngelaCDunn says you can protect high risk people by practicing social distancing, face masks, cleaning, hygiene and helping them stay out of public places as much as possible.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Byron Russell with the @UtahCoronavirus Multicultural Subcommittee now up.

He says pandemic is not affecting everyone equally. Latinx/Hispanic, Pacific Islander, Black and Asian communities impacted more.

"Learn the facts of disparities," he says. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Russell says they need to build a lasting structure to fix the disparities.

Digital divide, food insecurity, misinformation, limited English proficiency, access to services, housing security, fear of deportation, etc., being looked at. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

"We will need resources... to narrow the gap of disparities," Russell says.

Restarting the economy requires every Utahn to play a part, he says.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@Gochnour with @KemGardnerInst now up. She's also a part of the task force.

She says this latest version triages risk for high-risk populations and helps "plant seeds for a full economic recovery in our state." @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@Gochnour says Utah is doing better than other states. Unemployment already declining but 100,000-200,000 Utahns out of work.

She says they need to move fast, target industry/geography/occupation and be flexible in policies. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Furloughs represent 70% of unemployment claims, @Gochnour says. That can be addressed VERY quickly.

Follow health guidance? People can go back to work, she throws out there.

Laid off folks, they need to do more work with training and construction. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@Gochnour says there's macro-economic trends they need to look at like supply chains, food security, etc.

She says Utah is at the beginning of something new and better for the state. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

I ask how long we'll be in yellow given that we've got cases still going up?

@GovHerbert doesn't commit to move anytime soon. @Gochnour says if they can help high risk populations, it'll help. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@DrAngelaCDunn says there's no timeline of going to green.

"Our data currently don't support it," she says.

"We will let the data drive us," @GovHerbert chimes in.

He throws out maybe 8 weeks. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Utah is intertwined with cities/counties and even other states.

There's still a lot of reluctance on some places to re-open.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

How do you keep high risk people safe if they live with low risk people as things open up?

@DrAngelaCDunn says you need to be aware of it and exercise good hygiene and protect them. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Russell says they have to address that many high risk people are front line workers and sometimes sending out a press release doesn't exactly reach them.

Q on Test Utah contract?

All testing contracts under review, @GovHerbert says. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Q on lack of masks and people acting like we're back to normal?

@GovHerbert says we are NOT back to normal.

"We're in the middle of an emergency still," he says. "All of us have a responsibility to do our part."

Directives don't work if you don't follow them. @fox13 #utpol

.@GovHerbert says people should wear face coverings to protect themselves and others.

"I know it's inconvenient... but it's probably the right and proper thing to do," he says.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

"We're not back to normal," @GovHerbert reiterates.

@Gochnour says there is also a crisis of confidence. People won't go out shopping/dining out if they don't feel confident.

Follow health guidance, we'll recover economically, she says. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

A rise in cases in southern Utah? Is that a result of testing?

@DrAngelaCDunn says it is NOT linked to an increase in testing.

"We're asking the community to be a little more diligent..." she says, adding they could see a surge. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Q on the Kaysville concert that Mayor Witt is pushing?

@GovHerbert says they might be able to hold a larger event if there's social distancing, screening, sanitizer, face masks and taking protocols seriously. He puts that on Kaysville to enforce. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

If they can't meet those criteria the protest organizers "maybe ought to find something else to do," @GovHerbert suggests.

"We've never really shut down," he claps back, questioning what they're protesting.

He calls for people to follow health guidelines. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@GovHerbert says "all of us have a role to play" in recovering from #COVID19.

The success of Utah is a result of people's behavior and we are recovering faster.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

The shorter version of @GovHerbert's clap back to any protests?

#utpol #Utah #COVID19