BUSINESS + ECONOMY

Poll: Utahns weigh in on how COVID-19 is affecting them

Apr 1, 2020, 7:17 PM | Updated: Apr 26, 2020, 7:02 am

FILE -- (Utah State Capitol.  Credit: Spenser Heaps, Deseret News, Feb. 13, 2020)...

FILE -- (Utah State Capitol. Credit: Spenser Heaps, Deseret News, Feb. 13, 2020)

(Utah State Capitol. Credit: Spenser Heaps, Deseret News, Feb. 13, 2020)

WASATCH FRONT – New data from the Deseret News and The Hinckley Institute shows how concerned Utahns are about coronavirus. A new poll shows the vast majority Utahns surveyed are either “very concerned” or “somewhat concerned” about the spread of coronavirus in Utah. Voters voiced their concerns about the damage it will cause.

Breanna Rivers had been working for the online service marketplace company, Thumbtack, for over six years. She, and her husband, are two of 250 people across the country who got laid off Monday.  Rivers says the company did everything they could to keep their employees, but, even after cutting a lot of costs, Thumbtack couldn’t hold on to those workers.

She says, “The only way they were able to do it was telling everybody via Zoom.  My husband and I were both working and found out at the same time.”

They both applied for unemployment insurance within a few hours of losing their jobs.  Rivers isn’t necessarily worried about keeping their house or paying for other expenses.  She is, however, very concerned about her family’s healthcare.

“With a special needs son and a young daughter, heaven forbid one of us should get sick,” Rivers says.

According to a Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll, 16 percent of Utahns have lost jobs and 28 percent of lost income because their hours were cut.  Plus, 48 percent had to cancel travel plans, 63 percent axed social or entertainment events and 71 percent weren’t able to buy the groceries they needed.

The poll also shows 40 percent of Utahns believe the spread of the virus is going to get worse over the next months as opposed to being generally contained.  Ginger Street restaurant owner Michael McHenry agrees with this.

He says, “People get scared.  I think that fear is going to increase over time.”

McHenry’s company owns three restaurants across the Wasatch Front, and he has had to lay off employees, also.  However, he’s taking steps to ensure those people still have the things they need.

“[We’re] providing two meals a day to each of our team members who are currently scheduled and those that have been laid off, at this time.  We’re providing two meals a day and access to an essentials pantry,” McHenry says.  Those essentials include things like rice, soap, and toilet paper.

McHenry says running a restaurant is getting increasingly tricky.  They’ve had to adapt seemingly hour by hour.  Since no one can dine indoors, they’ve had to develop new ways to serve customers while completely avoiding physical contact.

He says March is typically one of the busiest times of the year in the restaurant industry, and none of his colleagues have been through a situation like this before.

The Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll also shows 58 percent of Utahns are following recent news of the virus very closely, with an even amount of people watching the national and local news.

RELATED LINKS

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Business + Economy

EVERETT WALMART, EVERETT, WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES - 2023/04/19: An empty cart is seen near an emp...

Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN

The real reasons stores such as Walmart and Starbucks are closing in big cities

Several forces are pushing Walmart and Starbucks out of some city centers: a glut of stores, people working from home, online shopping, exorbitant rents, crime and public safety concerns, and difficulty hiring workers.

11 months ago

graduates are pictured, the us is offering some student loan debt forgiveness...

Associated Press

The US has approved $42 billion in loan forgiveness for public service workers. Here’s what to know

The program is separate from U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering whether that plan can go ahead.

11 months ago

people at restaurant eating on mother's day pictured...

Alexandra Peers, CNN

Why Mother’s Day is the most hated day in the restaurant industry

The National Retail Federation forecasts that Mother's Day spending will reach $35.7 billion this year, with a record $5.6 billion spent on a meal or outing.

11 months ago

debt...

Curt Gresseth

Ticktock: US steps closer to debt default

Robert Spendlove, senior vice president and economic and public policy officer at Zions Bank, joins the show to discuss what would happen if the federal government defaults on its debt.

11 months ago

close up of a peleton bike pictured, a recall has been issued for some...

Associated Press

Peloton recalling more than 2M exercise bikes because the seat post assembly can break during use

The recall includes approximately 2.2 million of the Peloton Bikes Model PL01. The bikes were sold from January 2018 through May 2023 for about $1,400.

11 months ago

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during the Democratic National Committee winter meeting on February...

Arlette Saenz, CNN

Biden takes debt ceiling pitch on road amid standoff with Republicans

The president said he believes the country can avoid default because an "overwhelming number of members of ... Congress know it would be a disaster."

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Poll: Utahns weigh in on how COVID-19 is affecting them