‘We are all very close’: Governor Cox warns of early lifting of COVID-19 guidelines

SALT LAKE CITY – Gov. Spencer Cox said Thursday he was optimistic about transmission trends for COVID-19 in Utah, but was unwilling to completely remove state guidelines on coronavirus, such as the state’s mask mandate, until more Utahns are vaccinated.

The governor made his comments after being asked about growing pressure to ease restrictions inside and outside the state. Cox said he understood the frustrations, but weighed them against the risks associated with the reversal.

The seven-day moving average for the status of new cases fell 78% between January 1 and Thursday. The seven-day average was 558 new cases on Thursday, the lowest statistics since last September. At the same time, Cox announced that the state was on track to open up vaccine eligibility to all adults in Utah as early as April.

“We’re in a really, really, really great place. I would hate to do something that brings us back when we’re so close, but, again, I don’t want these restrictions in place a day longer than they are. absolutely necessary, ”he said.

The pressure Cox faces over state restrictions on COVID-19 begins in the Utah State Capitol. For example, the State House of Representatives passed a pandemic “endgame” bill that would lift the mandate of the state mask and other pandemic guidelines issued by the state. and the Utah Department of Health. He is still awaiting Senate approval. The Senate passed SB195, which limits powers during public health emergencies.

Cox argued Thursday that the bills might not even be needed, especially because most of the state’s counties are no longer in “high” transmission locations. He added that the data indicates that the other 11 counties in this category may be able to relocate in the coming weeks.

Once a county reaches the “moderate” transmission level, the mask warrant remains in place but there is no public assembly limit. This means that sports venues and theaters can have uncompromising side-by-side seating if people wear masks.

The governor said there were “a lot of good things” in the bill, but questioned the timing. This is why he said he would review the final bill that is on his desk before making the decision to sign or veto it. the Senate adopts it.

“I hate that we’re having fights again right now. We’re so close to the end,” Cox said. “We’re all so close. The end is in sight.”

Then there is the pressure out of state. Mississippi and Texas made the news earlier this week when their governors announced they were lifting coronavirus restrictions, including crowd sizes and mask recommendations. The Texas order goes into effect next week.

“The removal of statewide warrants doesn’t end personal accountability; it’s just that state warrants are no longer needed now,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday.

But Cox also called for caution on what other states have decided. He passed remarks from outside states as words of “people who want to run for president” doing “things you can do to get attention”. Cox added that he was not sure if these measures would lead to spikes in new cases, noting that it is still difficult to predict when the exact trends will occur after a year of treatment for the coronavirus.

Instead, the governor focused his attention on what he and his staff could do about the issue – and that is the vaccines.

“I know what we have are vaccines, and what I know is that these vaccines work. And what I know is if we get more people vaccinated, then people don’t. will not die and we won’t have to wear any clothes. masks at all, “he said.” That’s what really excites me, and the sooner we get there, the better. “

Cox added that he believes Utah has struck a balance that allows the state to keep many aspects of the economy open while mitigating deaths from COVID-19.

He pointed out that Utah’s per capita death toll from COVID-19 is much lower than most states, including Texas. This is why we have sometimes had fewer restrictions than most states in the United States.

“I think we’re doing it the right way.… We weren’t perfect. We did a great job but, yeah, we’re going to feel the pressure,” Cox said. “Everyone will feel the pressure to open up quickly.”

While this is the endgame he wants, it’s something he said can only happen when enough Utahns have been vaccinated.

“We’re in this boat and we’re trying to get to the shore. And we’re now in a place where we can see the shore. And if you’re a healthy swimmer you can jump and you can do but we have swimmers who aren’t healthy, ”Cox said, attributing an analogy made by Rich Saunders, executive director of the Utah Department of Health.“ We would really like to get them vaccinated. It’s really important.”

Cox also championed masks as “the least intrusive measure” a state can have, in terms of keeping certain aspects of the economy open.

Meanwhile, public health officials were more nervous about out-of-state decisions. State epidemiologist Dr Angela Dunn 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 should be noted that state and local tourism experts have both identified Texas as one of the main places that people outside of Utah come from to visit the state and national parks of Utah. over the past year.

“As we know, this virus does not respect borders – even international borders,” Dunn said. “We’re as safe as our weakest state. So if there is a spread to Texas or any other state, it certainly puts the Utahns at greater risk for the spread.”

She added that this is why it is important for Utahns to continue to work to ensure that new cases of COVID-19 stay low, which means continuing to wear masks in public and physically distancing themselves when it is. possible.

Dunn also said it was important for the Utahns to be vaccinated when given the opportunity. This is especially true with the possibility of introducing new variants of the coronavirus that are more likely to spread faster.

Related stories