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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE

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CHINESE PEOPLE REGARDING THE CORONAVIRUS

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OUTBREAK

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2020 GENERAL SESSION

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STATE OF UTAH

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Chief Sponsor: Jacob L. Anderegg

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House Sponsor: Eric K. Hutchings

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9     LONG TITLE
10     General Description:
11          This concurrent resolution expresses support for the Chinese people regarding the
12     coronavirus outbreak.
13     Highlighted Provisions:
14          This resolution:
15          ▸     acknowledges the serious public health risk of COVID-19 acute respiratory disease
16     (coronavirus);
17          ▸     expresses solidarity and support for the Chinese people's efforts to contain the
18     coronavirus;
19          ▸     conveys sympathy for those affected with coronavirus around the world;
20          ▸     urges Utahns to remain calm and adhere to normal flu-season precautions;
21          ▸     calls upon the international community not to impose unnecessary restrictions that
22     interfere with international travel and trade;
23          ▸     encourages close collaboration between the public and private sectors to develop the
24     diagnostics, medicines, and vaccines to help bring the outbreak under control; and
25          ▸     urges Utah public institutions to remain calm, take precautions to prevent the spread
26     of all communicable diseases, and focus efforts towards people who exhibit
27     symptoms.
28     Special Clauses:
29          None

30     

31     Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
32          WHEREAS, Utah and the People's Republic of China (China) enjoy a friendly
33     relationship and strong economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties;
34          WHEREAS, Utah is enriched by the presence of Chinese residents, educators, students,
35     and enterprises;
36          WHEREAS, the unique, 14-year legislative relationship between Utah and Liaoning,
37     China is the only one of its kind between the United States and China, and is responsible for
38     opening a significant channel for people, businesses, and education organizations to conduct
39     exchanges and cooperate;
40          WHEREAS, cooperation between Utah and China is evidenced by the following:
41          • China is a top trading partner for Utah;
42          • many Utah companies have business operations in China;
43          • Utah leads the nation in K-12 Chinese language study; and
44          • in 2019, Utah hosted Chinese government and business leaders during the Golden
45     Spike Anniversary, which highlighted the contributions of Chinese and other immigrants in
46     Utah's history;
47          WHEREAS, a global health threat such as COVID-19 acute respiratory disease
48     (coronavirus) demands an empathetic global response in order to preserve the health,
49     happiness, and prosperity of individuals within the global community;
50          WHEREAS, the state of Utah is closely monitoring the situation, engaging with United
51     States and Chinese governments and health partners to respond to the health threat in China,
52     and will issue further information and guidance as necessary;
53          WHEREAS, as global citizens, Utahns should take measures to assist those in need and
54     work proactively to preserve global health and the stability of the global economy, which align
55     with Utah values of industriousness, empathy, volunteerism, and cooperation;
56          WHEREAS, global health and the global economy are inextricably linked as evidenced
57     by the World Bank estimate that 90% of economic losses during any pandemic outbreak arise

58     from the uncoordinated and irrational efforts of the public to avoid infection;
59          WHEREAS, global health emergencies can cause fear among populations, and people's
60     fear can be dispelled by rational, clear analysis and taking health advice from trusted
61     information sources;
62          WHEREAS, Utahns should remain calm, use common sense, and adhere to normal
63     flu-season precautions such as frequently washing hands, covering mouth and nose with a
64     tissue when coughing or sneezing, or coughing or sneezing into one's elbow rather than hands;
65          WHEREAS, the CDC has advised United States citizens not to panic about the
66     coronavirus and has warned against stereotyping people of Asian descent;
67          WHEREAS, in many places around the world, misinformation, false rumors, and media
68     coverage about the coronavirus have stoked discriminatory sentiment toward Chinese and
69     Asian people; and
70          WHEREAS, the World Health Organization says there currently is a "window of
71     opportunity" to prevent the spread of the coronavirus by focusing prevention efforts near the
72     epicenter in China, and Utah organizations such as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
73     Saints, Intermountain Healthcare, and others have generously donated to China significant
74     amounts of protective gear to assist in containing the virus:
75          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
76     Governor concurring therein, expresses solidarity and support for the Chinese people's efforts
77     to contain the coronavirus.
78          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor convey sympathy
79     for those affected around the world and urge Utahns to remain calm and adhere to normal
80     flu-season precautions.
81          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor concur with the
82     World Health Organization and call upon the international community not to impose
83     restrictions relating to the coronavirus that unnecessarily interfere with international travel and
84     trade and raise fear and stigma.
85          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, where measures that restrict travel and trade have

86     been implemented, the Legislature and the Governor urge that their duration be short,
87     proportionate to the actual public health risks, and regularly be reconsidered as the situation
88     evolves.
89          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage close
90     collaboration between the public and private sectors to develop the diagnostics, medicines, and
91     vaccines to help bring the coronavirus outbreak under control.
92          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge Utah
93     government, medical facilities, school districts, and other public institutions to remain calm,
94     take precautions to prevent the spread of all communicable diseases, and focus efforts towards
95     people who exhibit symptoms.
96          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge Utahns to
97     use protective equipment judiciously according to public health recommendations.