SALT LAKE CITY – Gov. Spencer Cox said Thursday he is optimistic about COVID-19 transmission trends in Utah, but he is unwilling to completely scrap state coronavirus guidelines, such as the state mask mandate, until more Utahns are vaccinated .
The governor made his remarks after being asked about the mounting pressure to ease restrictions inside and outside the state. Cox said he understood the frustrations, but weighed them against the risks associated with reversing course.
The state’s seven-day average of new cases dropped 78% between Jan. 1 and Thursday. The seven-day average was 558 new cases on Thursday, the lowest number since September last year. At the same time, Cox announced that the state is on track to qualify for vaccines for all adults in Utah as early as April.
“We’re in a very, very, very great place. I wouldn’t like to do anything that brings us back when we’re that close, but then again, I don’t want these restrictions to last a day longer than they are now. , “he said.
The pressure facing Cox over the state’s COVID-19 restrictions begins in the Utah State Capitol. For example, the state’s House of Representatives passed a pandemic “endgame” law that would override the state’s mask mandate and other pandemic-related directives from the state and Utah Department of Health. It is still awaiting Senate approval. The Senate has passed SB195, which limits powers during public health emergencies.
Cox argued Thursday that the bills may not even be necessary, especially since most counties in the state are no longer at “high” transmission sites. He added the data indicating that the remaining 11 counties in that category could potentially go down in the coming weeks.
Once a province reaches the “moderate” transmission level, the mask mandate remains in effect, but there is no limit to public gatherings. This means that sports venues and theaters sit side by side without making concessions when people wear masks.
The governor said there were “many good things” in the bill, but he questioned its timing. That’s why he said he would review the last bill on his desk before making a decision to sign it or veto it, and the Senate will pass it on.
‘I hate that we are fighting again now. We’re so close to the end of this, ”Cox said. ‘We are all so close. The end is near.’
Then there’s the out-of-state pressure. Mississippi and Texas made headlines earlier this week when their governors announced they would lift restrictions on the coronavirus, including audience size and mask recommendations. The Texas order will take effect next week.
“The removal of statewide mandates does not end personal responsibility; it is just that now state mandates are no longer necessary,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday.
But Cox also urged caution about what other states have decided. He deleted comments from outside states as words of “people wanting to run for president” who “are doing things you can do to get attention.” Cox added that he did not know if those measures would lead to spikes in new cases, noting that it is still difficult to predict when exact trends will occur after a year of dealing with the coronavirus.
Instead, the governor narrowed his attention to what he and his staff could do about the matter – and that’s vaccines.
“I know we have vaccines, and what I do know is that these vaccines work. And what I do know is that if we get more people vaccinated, then no people will die and we won’t have masks,” he said. That’s what I’m really excited about, and the sooner we get there, the better. “
Cox added that he believed Utah has struck a balance that allows the state to keep many aspects of the economy open while reducing COVID-19 deaths.
He pointed out that the per capita death rate in Utah from COVID-19 is much lower than in most states, including Texas. That’s why we’ve sometimes had fewer restrictions than most US states.
“I think we’re doing it the right way … We haven’t been perfect. We’ve done a great job, but yes, we’ll feel pressure,” said Cox. “Everyone will feel the pressure to open up quickly.”
While that’s the endgame he wants, it’s something he said can only happen if enough Utahns have been vaccinated.
“We’re in this boat and we’re trying to get to the shore. And now we’re in a place where we can see the shore. And if you’re a healthy swimmer you can jump out and you can but we don’t have some. -Healthy swimmers, “Cox said, attributing an analogy made by Rich Saunders, director of the Utah Department of Health.” We’d love to get them vaccinated. That’s very important. “
Cox also defended masks as “the least invasive” measure a state can have, in terms of keeping aspects of the economy open.
Meanwhile, public health officials were more nervous about the out-of-state decisions. Dr. Angela Dunn, the state’s epidemiologist, said public health experts are concerned when other states make decisions that could potentially lead to an increase in new cases in places outside of those states.
It’s worth noting that state and local tourism experts have designated Texas as one of the leading places people outside of Utah have come from in the past year to visit Utah’s state and national parks.
“As we know, this virus does not respect borders – not even international borders,” said Dunn. “We’re only as safe as our weakest state. So if it spreads in Texas or any other state, it definitely puts Utahns at greater risk of spread.”
She added that it is therefore important for Utahns to continue to work to ensure that new COVID-19 cases remain low, which means they must continue to wear masks in public and physically distance themselves where possible.
Dunn also said it’s important for Utahns to be vaccinated when given the chance. This is especially true with the possibility of new coronavirus variants being introduced that spread faster.