FILE - Utah Gov. Gary herbert speaks to reporters at a news conference announcing new limitations on public gatherings. March 12, 2020 (Carter Williams KSL.com)
SALT LAKE CITY— In an email from the Lt. Governor’s office obtained by Utah Policy says there are plans to scale back the regular meetings held by the Utah Coronavirus Task Force. The task force is headed by Lt. Governor Spencer Cox and made up of health and safety officials, and lawmakers.
The email posted on Utahpolicy.com seems to be written by the Lt. Governor’s Executive Assistant, Tyler Cain. It’s dated Monday, June 15th. The first sentence of the 5 sentence note reads: “After consultation with Governor Herbert and senior staff within the Executive Branch, we will be transitioning our COVID 19 Community Task Force meetings to occur on an as-needed basis.” It goes on to say that members’ feedback is still welcome, but that this move is to free up their time. “The Governor and Lt. will continue to rely on your in your capacity as members of this Task Force, and we will reach out with any salient updates or meeting requests as we move forward.”
The chief of staff to Lt. Gov Cox, Kirsten Rappleye, is quoted in the article saying “While the nature of our whole operation has changed, the Governor has also used the task force in many ways… It’s been a learning process for all of us.” She says that they are grateful that these leaders are “there to advise us, individually, or as a whole.”
The email was sent a week before State Epidemiologist, Dr. Angela Dunn, wrote a memo to the Utah Department Of Health, warning of a return to Orange if case numbers don’t go down before July. Dr. Dunn is also a member of the Utah Coronavirus Task Force.
COVID-19 coronaviruses transmitted from person to person. It is a virus that is similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:
Utah’s Coronavirus Information
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization