SALT LAKE CITY-Thursday, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and other state leaders conducted a coronavirus meeting at the Utah State Capitol Building completely in Spanish.
This special meeting was called to assist Latino members of the Utah population. Latinos are especially adversely affected by COVID-19 in Utah as they represent 14 percent of the Beehive State population but 43 percent of all cases of the virus since statistics began being kept.
Herbert was joined by Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, who spoke entirely in Spanish during the proceedings.
Cox served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico earlier in his life.
Presently, 38 Latinos in Utah have died from COVID-19. This represents 23.2 percent of all deaths from COVID-19 in the Beehive State per Thursday’s statistics.
Dr. Tamara Moores Todd, an emergency physician and medical director of care transformation and information services at Intermountain Healthcare has said she has seen the effects of the Latino community up close.
Moores Tood reiterated this pandemic has not impacted all Utah residents and communities equally.
Some of these factors have contributed to the rise of infections of this disease in the Latino community. Among them is the fact that Latinos have traditionally resided in multi-generation homes, causing the old and young to live together in many instances.
Moores Todd stated it is important for everyone to abide by CDC guidelines, including social distancing, wearing a face mask, hand-washing and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
Comunidades Unidas executive director Mayra Cedano stated the last few months have been “difficult, stressful and full of uncertainty.”
She concluded her statements, saying “help exists and your mental health matters.”
