Thread by @UtahCoronavirus

Today’s daily briefing for Wednesday, June 24, 2020, is about to get started.

It will be streamed live at facebook.com/govgaryherbert and en español at facebook.com/marcomunozut

Today we will start with @DrAngelaCDunn with today’s case counts.

For Wednesday, June 24, 2020:

Total positive cases: 18,784 (+484)

Total estimated recovered: 10,334

Lab Tests: 304,738 total tests (+2,462)

Hospitalizations:
1,256(Cumulative)
167 (Current)

Deaths: 163 deaths (unchanged)

Dr. Dunn addresses the recent memo which was intended as a starting point in discussions from one perspective, the public health perspective.

It was not intended to shut down the economy. She thanks state leadership for being willing to hear her out while weighing many issues

Now, @GovHerbert says a senior staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. That person is self isolating and was doing everything to keep others safe. We don’t believe Gov. Herbert or Lt. Gov Cox have been infected.

Tomorrow, @GovHerbert will review latest case counts and the request from @SLCoGov to require mask wearing.

I’m a local control person, says @GovHerbert.

He is inclined to grant that request. But will decide tomorrow.

This entire pandemic is an exercise is managing risk. We can’t stop every bad thing from happening, but as we follow safety guidelines, Utah has among the lowest mortality and unemployment rates in the nation.

From the beginning, our goal has been to keep from overwhelming the hospital system.

That has not happened yet.

We are monitoring that system and those capacities closely.

We have not shut down the economy, says @GovHerbert. We are using gradual adjustments.

Originally, we asked people to stay safe and stay home.

As we interact more now, we need to make sure each of us is more vigilant.

Low-risk phase really means low restrictions.

Low restrictions means we are shifting the risk for COVID spread and responsibility for limiting COVID spread to individuals.

We will not consider any relaxing of color coded guidance for the next two weeks.

Airborne transmission is the best way to spread COVID. See this video from @NIST that shows how a face covering can limit the spread of droplets:



Please #MaskUpUtah

We need to wear masks:
• At all indoor settings.
• Outdoors if social distancing is not possible.

It can take some getting used to, but wearing a mask is a sign of respect for the health of those around us.

It’s a low-cost way to keep from spreading the virus.

Remember, we have evidence that people who are infected and not showing symptoms can still spread the virus.

Masks will limit that spread.

We will issue an executive order requiring mask wearing in all @UtahGov buildings under the executive branch, says @GovHerbert.

That includes @DABC and higher ed facilities.

Thank you to the @utahhospitals for their #MaskUpUtah outreach campaign to remind us to wear masks.

An interfaith group of religious leaders is releasing a statement that appeals to all people of faith to sacrifice personal comfort and wear masks/practice social distancing.

Multicultural communities in Utah have been disproportionately affected by COVID.

We have translated health documents into 22 languages. We have interpreted these briefings into Spanish since March.

We need to do better with our communication, says @GovHerbert Tomorrow we will have a health briefing completely in Spanish.

A few notes on our decision making process:

The COVID-19 Task Force was established in early March.

We followed the same model as the federal government, by putting the second in command, @SpencerJCox in charge.

The task force has done dramatic and important work.

The first Utah Leads Together Plan cane from that task force. We have great subcommittees that focus on economic recovery, multicultural issues, hospitals, education and homelessness.

Later in March, we stood up a Level 1 Unified Command under the direction of @andersonljess. Unified command meets daily to have a coordinated response.

We use this type of response in all sorts of emergency incidents.

This pandemic situation is unique. Our @UtahEmergency State EOC is working with state, federal and local agencies. There has been no standing down of effort by the state.

The efforts continually increase, says @GovHerbert.

This effort by the Unified Command has been a godsend, says @GovHerbert, as the state has had to respond to the March 18 Magna earthquake and civil unrest all while managing the pandemic response.

This pandemic didn’t come with any type of playbook.

There will be no letting up in our efforts.

We, the people of Utah, need to come together. We all have a role to do that.

Please follow the guidelines, at least until we have a vaccine or therapeutic treatments.

We need to redouble our efforts, says @GovHerbert.

We are all eager to return to normal. It’s possible, but we all need to take precautions.

Wash your hands
Wear a mask
Practice social distancing

Q: Why not mandate mask wearing statewide?

A: I will wait and see. I’m committed to the process we set up, listening to requests from local health departments. - @GovHerbert

Q: What about the possibility of moving back to orange/moderate risk?

A: Everything is on the table. Some communities have gone to green because they have few cases and practice regular social distancing. We hope people will change their behaviors so we don’t have to dial back.

Q: Some states are requiring a 2-week quarantine for people traveling from Utah. Is our plan working?

A: We are putting more emphasis on the correct actions and we believe the people of Utah will help us decrease their spread of COVID.

Q: What concern is there for testing sites in SLCo shutting down?

A: These communities need continued access to these tests so those who need tests can get them. We are working on getting them supplies and increasing efficiency of those supplies.

Also, testing is free, as mandated by the CARES Act. Find a testing location here:

coronavirus.utah.gov/testing-locati…

Q: Should the state scale back its travel and tourism campaigns targeted at neighboring states?

A: People are less likely to catch COVID when recreating outdoors. We are trying to strike the right balance for outdoor recreation.

Q: What concerns do you have about mandating masks statewide?

A: Many people don’t need the heavy hand of government. I think people can do this for the right reason, because they love their neighbors. Requirements may be best if they come from local government.

A: We are not a one-size-fits-all state. Some communities won’t need that type of mandate and other may benefit from it.

Q: What about the occasional local leader who says they will never wear a mask?

A: I don’t think that’s a defensible position. You can wear a mask because you love your neighbor, like our faith leaders said. Those officials can answer to the people for their positions.

Q: Do we have any idea if the recent protests have had an impact on COVID case numbers?

A: We’ve only identified two individuals who may have gotten COVID from attending protests. Those protests were three weeks ago.

Today’s briefing has concluded.