SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert says he has no plans to shutdown the economy and appears unwilling to bow to mounting pressure to make face masks mandatory despite a warning from the state’s epidemiologist that a complete shutdown might be imminent if Utah can’t stop a prolonged spike of coronavirus cases.
Herbert tweeted Monday night that he appreciated the analysis by epidemiologist Angela Dunn that outlined the severity of the surge in COVID-19, but made clear he’s not considering going backwards from a plan he rolled out in early May that gradually allowed businesses, gyms, salons and pools to reopen.
“We will work to stem this tide, but I have no plans to shut down Utah’s economy,” tweeted the Republican governor, who isn’t seeking reelection after holding the post since 2009.
Utah is one of nearly two dozen states dealing with rising case rates following reopenings. The infection rate and daily case count has doubled in the last month, state figures show.
Dunn recommended that the state reimpose some restrictions on businesses and group gatherings unless it lowers it’s weekly average to 200 cases per day by July 1. The state has averaged 478 cases per day over the last week following a steady increase in positive rates over the last month, state figures show.
Dunn also recommended mandating face coverings in her memo, which was made public Monday.
On Tuesday, the Democratic mayors of Utah’s largest city and county urged Herbert to implement a statewide requirement while a coalition of the state’s largest health care providers launched a new campaign touting the necessity to use face masks to slow the spread of the virus.
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson formally asked Herbert to grant her authority to make face coverings mandatory in the county at retail and commercial establishments, restaurants while waiting to be seated and served and at community gatherings. The governor didn’t immediately give an answer.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall tweeted that masks are estimated to be 75% to 82% effective at preventing the spread of COVID.
“Requiring they be worn in public statewide could help us turn the tide and save lives,” she said.
Herbert’s spokeswoman, Brooke Scheffler, said in a statement that he will continue to encourage the use of masks, but didn’t directly address a mandatory use of masks. Herbert has said previously he doesn’t think it would work.
“The governor continues to be a strong champion for regular wearing (of) a face covering in public when physical distancing is not possible,” the statement said. “He wears a mask each day to all of his meetings and expects it of those who meet with him.”
States including Michigan, New York, Maine, Delaware and Maryland have statewide mask orders in place.
Herbert’s office said Dunn’s recommendations are among several being considered.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe life-threatening illness, including pneumonia, and death. Utah has 163 confirmed deaths from COVID-19.
Herbert has pointed to his decision to gradually lift restrictions allowing restaurants, gyms, pools and salons to reopen as a key reason why Utah has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. He has said the state can begin to recover economically without risking people’s health.
The surge in cases isn’t being driven by any major outbreak or attributed to more testing alone, leading Dunn to believe community spread is rising as people spend more time together.
“We are quickly getting to a point where the only viable option to manage spread and deaths will be a complete shutdown,” Dunn wrote in the memo released by the state Department of Health. “This might be our last chance for course correction. Contact tracing and testing alone will not control this outbreak.”
