2
3
4
5
6
7
8
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;
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; and
28 ▸ urges donations of protective equipment to assist the Chinese people in battling the
29 virus.
30 Special Clauses:
31 None
32
33 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
34 WHEREAS, Utah and the People's Republic of China (China) enjoy a friendly
35 relationship and strong economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties;
36 WHEREAS, Utah is enriched by the presence of Chinese residents, educators, students,
37 and enterprises;
38 WHEREAS, the unique, 14-year legislative relationship between Utah and Liaoning,
39 China is the only one of its kind between the United States and China, and is responsible for
40 opening a significant channel for people, businesses, and education organizations to conduct
41 exchanges and cooperate;
42 WHEREAS, cooperation between Utah and China is evidenced by the following:
43 • China is a top trading partner for Utah;
44 • many Utah companies have business operations in China;
45 • Utah leads the nation in K-12 Chinese language study; and
46 • in 2019, Utah hosted Chinese government and business leaders during the Golden
47 Spike Anniversary, which highlighted the contributions of Chinese and other immigrants in
48 Utah's history;
49 WHEREAS, a global health threat such as COVID-19 acute respiratory disease
50 (coronavirus) demands an empathetic global response in order to preserve the health,
51 happiness, and prosperity of individuals within the global community;
52 WHEREAS, the state of Utah is closely monitoring the situation, engaging with United
53 States and Chinese governments and health partners to respond to the health threat in China,
54 and will issue further information and guidance as necessary;
55 WHEREAS, as global citizens, Utahns should take measures to assist those in need and
56 work proactively to preserve global health and the stability of the global economy, which align
57 with Utah values of industriousness, empathy, volunteerism, and cooperation;
58 WHEREAS, global health and the global economy are inextricably linked as evidenced
59 by the World Bank estimate that 90% of economic losses during any pandemic outbreak arise
60 from the uncoordinated and irrational efforts of the public to avoid infection;
61 WHEREAS, global health emergencies can cause fear among populations, and people's
62 fear can be dispelled by rational, clear analysis and taking health advice from trusted
63 information sources;
64 WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the risk of a
65 coronavirus infection to Utahns and the general American public is presently considered low;
66 WHEREAS, Utahns should remain calm, use common sense, and adhere to normal
67 flu-season precautions such as frequently washing hands, covering mouth and nose with a
68 tissue when coughing or sneezing, or coughing or sneezing into one's elbow rather than hands;
69 WHEREAS, the CDC has advised United States citizens not to panic about the
70 coronavirus and has warned against stereotyping people of Asian descent;
71 WHEREAS, in many places around the world, misinformation, false rumors, and media
72 coverage about the coronavirus have stoked discriminatory sentiment toward Chinese and
73 Asian people; and
74 WHEREAS, the World Health Organization says there currently is a "window of
75 opportunity" to prevent the spread of the coronavirus by focusing prevention efforts near the
76 epicenter in China, and Utah organizations such as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
77 Saints, Intermountain Healthcare, and others have generously donated to China significant
78 amounts of protective gear to assist in containing the virus:
79 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
80 Governor concurring therein, expresses solidarity and support for the Chinese people's efforts
81 to contain the coronavirus.
82 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor convey sympathy
83 for those affected around the world and urge Utahns to remain calm and adhere to normal
84 flu-season precautions.
85 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor concur with the
86 World Health Organization and call upon the international community not to impose
87 restrictions relating to the coronavirus that unnecessarily interfere with international travel and
88 trade and raise fear and stigma.
89 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, where measures that restrict travel and trade have
90 been implemented, the Legislature and the Governor urge that their duration be short,
91 proportionate to the actual public health risks, and regularly be reconsidered as the situation
92 evolves.
93 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature and the Governor encourage close
94 collaboration between the public and private sectors to develop the diagnostics, medicines, and
95 vaccines to help bring the coronavirus outbreak under control.
96 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge Utah
97 government, medical facilities, school districts, and other public institutions to remain calm,
98 take precautions to prevent the spread of all communicable diseases, and focus efforts towards
99 people who exhibit symptoms.
100 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge Utah
101 companies, faith-based groups, families, and individuals to donate protective equipment and
102 funds through the proper channels to assist the Chinese people in battling the virus.