Salt Lake City, UT (March 20, 2020) – Governor Gary R. Herbert and industry leaders shared strategies, ideas and best practices to combat and mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus. Some ideas include: using take out at restaurants; scheduling shopping, home viewings, and other necessary and appropriate gatherings; and, maintaining social distance at all times.
“The government can’t predict every scenario,” said Governor Herbert. “In every situation we encourage Utahns to use sound judgment and look out for one another. We expect our people to follow the spirit of the law, and in that way we will not have to create a police state, mandating guidelines.”
Governor Herbert reminded everyone to make sure that the information they receive and share is accurate. He noted that rumors are not only unhelpful but can be dangerous, particularly when it comes to health and economic repercussions. “Right now, Utah is open,” the Governor said. “Our highest priority is to protect health, and the next is to protect the economy. After all, the economy affects everyone.”
Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and chair of the Governor’s Economic Response Task Force, said “not only must we bend the curve when it comes to controlling the coronavirus but we must flatten the dip when it comes to stopping the economic consequences of the virus.”
According to Miller, strategies to “flatten the dip,” include:
- Supporting and sustaining our employees as they telecommute;
- Respectfully providing social distance between shoppers in grocery stores and retail outlets;
- Washing our hands before we go out and immediately upon returning from activities;
- Supporting our restaurants through curbside pickup. (Ideas and information can be found at curbsideutah.com.); and,
- Ordering take out several times a week.
Clark Ivory, CEO of Ivory Homes offered ideas for business leaders. According to Ivory, “We are open for business. To maintain appropriate social distancing we are meeting with our customers by appointment only in our model homes and design centers. We have sold 23 homes this week. Our construction trades are fully operational and paying special attention to all healthcare protocols. We have also added an extra clean where we go through a special sanitation process before final delivery to the customer. The majority of our office teams are working from home, and we are conducting daily Zoom meetings to communicate and to keep up employee morale.” Ivory said that keeping routines are important to “staying mentally strong.” According to Ivory, “Yesterday was the first day of spring, and at Ivory Homes we are going to make it a spring of hope. We have tremendous confidence in our health system and the working men and women of Utah.”
Governor Herbert endorsed the CEO’s optimism, referring to the parable of “the glass being half full.” He said, we need to focus not on the things we cannot do but on the things we can,” and he welcomed all Utahns to support one another to seek strength and guidance in their lives.
For business resources and updates on the Utah Economic Response Task Force visit at coronavirus-stage.at.utah.gov.
Press conference participants and supporters included: Governor Gary Herbert; LT. Governor Spencer Cox; Derek Miller, Salt Lake Chamber; Greg Fredde, Merit Medical Systems; Harris Simmons, Zions Bancorporation; Clark Ivory, Ivory Homes; Kenny Kimball, Smith’s Food and Drug; Gary Hoogeveen, Rocky Mountain Power; Tara Thue, AT&T; Simon Shaner, Mountain West Brands; Cameron Deihl, Utah League of Cities and Towns; Todd Bingham, Utah Manufacturing Association; Richard Thorn, Utah Association of General Contractors; Howard Headlee, Utah Bankers Association; Dave Davis, Utah Food Industry Association; and Melva Sine, Utah Restaurant Association.
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ABOUT THE UTAH ECONOMIC RESPONSE TASK FORCE
The Utah Economic Response Task Force was established by Governor Herbert to help prevent and mitigate the economic impacts of the coronavirus. Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber, serves as the chair of the task force. For questions or media inquiries, contact Marisa Bomis at mbomis@slchamber.com.