COVID-19 NEWS in REVIEW: NATION & UTAH

Resuming Life:  

• US plan released April 17, calls for three phases of reduced social and economic restrictions, each with 2-weeks in between to review COVID-19 transmission rates. Guidelines will allow easing of restrictions in low transmission areas, while keeping current, stricter guidelines for harder-hit areas. Ultimately, decisions will rest with governors/county leaders for reopening schools, businesses and other matters. 

• It is now clear our path to normalcy will be a longer process than first envisioned. Health officials warn some social distancing measures may need to remain through the end of the year.  

• This US strategy enables states/counties to evaluate & plot their own path for: reopening schools, businesses and other matters. Guidelines include people wearing face masks while out in public. 

• According to Stanford University, safely resuming societal normalcy depends upon a widespread number of us testing with antibodies to COVID-19, indicating having illness and recovered.

• Utah plan released April 17:  We are easing into phase 2 -- Stabilization.  Early cautious steps include entering food establishments to order & pick-up, but NOT to be seated for dining-in. SLCO is allowing going out in public with masks, distancing.

• Check out this report from our Special Legislative Session from Sen. Jani Iwamoto:  http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1121475192271&ca=82b7fd58-12b4-45cb-9e8b-f120e750f9e2

Treatment:  

• Chloroquine. Hydroxychloroquine and Remdesivir have shown to be effective against COVID-19 illness in lab testing & severe cases. 

• Texas nursing home has used hydroxychloroquine sulfate to treat 39 COVID-19 patients. Results: all are doing well after five days. 

• Biotech entrepreneurs pressing to develop antibody therapies against COVID-19. U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases will be testing a promising drug.  

• Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt, etc. working full-out on convalescent serum therapy using blood plasma from recovered patients.

Testing: 

• Trump announces COVID-19 saliva test, FDA approved.  

• Utah now has expanded nasal testing capacity and asks ALL people with even one of these symptoms to be tested -- fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches/pains, diminished sense smell/taste -- contributing to broader data. 

Critical Supplies:   

• Cross country truckers pushing to get medical, food and other essentials delivered. Fuel, food and rest facilities for truckers are in short supply making some interstate delivery challenging. 

• Some meat facilities closing due to employee COVID-19 infections.  

Schools:  

• Utah schools closed through the end of school year.  

Financial Help for individuals & Families:  

• Some have received Fed checks already; disbursement continues nationwide.  Save some of it if you can; put the rest to work to help you and family while giving a much-needed boost to our economy. 

Help for Small Business:  

 

• Nation and state of Utah have Bridge-the-Gap assistance; funding has become scarce; a new infusion of capital is necessary.  

• Learn more about Utah GOED to assist small businesses during the Follow announcements from Utah Leads Together and its Utah Economic Response Task Force.

Stay Informed:  

Coronavirus.Utah.gov: Daily stats, directives, videos, articles, etc.

Watch live: Gov Herbert’s Daily Facebook Briefing-- 1:30p.m.

Coronavirus.jhu.edu for national and global COVID-19 information.

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