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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION HONORING HEALTHCARE

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WORKERS AND OTHERS

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2020 THIRD SPECIAL SESSION

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STATE OF UTAH

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Chief Sponsor: Melissa G. Ballard

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Senate Sponsor: Don L. Ipson

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8     LONG TITLE
9     General Description:
10          This resolution acknowledges and expresses gratitude for the efforts of individuals and
11     organizations responding to the pandemic caused by COVID-19.
12     Highlighted Provisions:
13          This resolution:
14          ▸     acknowledges and expresses gratitude on behalf of the Legislature and the Governor
15     for the efforts of individuals and organizations to combat and respond to the
16     pandemic caused by the spread of COVID-19, including:
17               •     healthcare workers;
18               •     certain state employees;
19               •     information technology workers;
20               •     other workers providing essential services; and
21               •     religious and spiritual leaders and members.
22     Special Clauses:
23          None
24     

25     Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
26          WHEREAS, the pandemic caused by the spread of Coronavirus disease 2019
27     ("COVID-19") has caused a significant disruption to healthcare systems, education systems,

28     businesses, economies, and the every-day life of individuals throughout the state and around
29     the world;
30          WHEREAS, the spread of COVID-19 threatens the health and lives of individuals
31     throughout the state and around the world;
32          WHEREAS, healthcare workers and caregivers work tirelessly to carefully and
33     effectively treat victims of COVID-19, in addition to those with other ailments and sicknesses,
34     while risking personal exposure to COVID-19;
35          WHEREAS, hospitals and health clinics have altered their business models and
36     postponed various elective procedures to enable essential care for the critically ill, new parents
37     and babies, and other individuals in need of emergency care, in a controlled environment while
38     also enabling care of victims of COVID-19;
39          WHEREAS, skilled nursing facilities take precautions against COVID-19 infiltrating
40     their facilities at great expense and inconvenience to the facility, while providing support and
41     care for patients who are isolated from in-person visits from family, friends, and loved ones;
42          WHEREAS, home health, hospice, and personal care employees continue to provide
43     care for their patients and clients while also providing, and exploring new ways to provide,
44     alternative healthcare options for those who are not able to access outpatient healthcare
45     services due to the pandemic;
46          WHEREAS, assisted living facilities, group homes, and independent senior living
47     communities carefully balance the need to protect their residents from exposure to COVID-19
48     with providing their residents with safe access to healthcare workers, while providing support,
49     care, and activities for residents who have been isolated from family, friends, and loved ones;
50          WHEREAS, non-profit professionals and healthcare associations have contributed
51     countless hours working together and in conjunction with the Utah Department of Health,
52     among others, to support the needs of their members, patients, and clients;
53          WHEREAS, scientists and medical experts work to find and develop a cure for
54     COVID-19;
55          WHEREAS, other businesses, entities, and private citizens have supported healthcare
56     needs by distributing information, providing meals, providing various administrative
57     assistance, and manufacturing homemade face masks and isolation gowns;
58          WHEREAS, employees of the Utah Department of Health work tirelessly to find

59     solutions to the changing and novel healthcare landscape facing the state as a result of
60     COVID-19 to assure safe and controlled access to healthcare and to support healthcare
61     providers, while providing critical information and comprehensive data regarding the welfare
62     of Utah's citizens;
63          WHEREAS, employees of the Utah Department of Workforce Services continue to
64     provide necessary support and information to Utah citizens who have lost employment or
65     wages during the uncertain economic challenges caused by the spread of COVID-19;
66          WHEREAS, employees of the Utah Department of Public Safety and the Utah
67     Department of Corrections navigate unprecedented challenges related to preventing exposure to
68     and the spread of COVID-19, while assuring safety for Utah citizens;
69          WHEREAS, workers in the field of information technology effectively create and
70     provide access to critical communication technologies that have made remote access to
71     healthcare and work possible, which allows certain organizations and businesses to continue to
72     function, needs of certain customers and citizens to be met, and certain healthcare visits and
73     procedures to take place;
74          WHEREAS, grocery and food service workers continue to provide necessary products
75     to the citizens of Utah at risk of personal exposure to COVID-19;
76          WHEREAS, emergency response workers, including firefighters, emergency medical
77     technicians, paramedics, and law enforcement officers continue to provide necessary services
78     and protect their communities at risk of personal exposure to COVID-19;
79          WHEREAS, other essential workers across the state continue to provide necessary
80     services and products to citizens and entities at risk of personal exposure to COVID-19;
81          WHEREAS, religious and spiritual leaders and members, along with other individuals,
82     have joined together in prayer and fasting efforts during these uncertain and challenging times
83     in support of:
84          ▸     healthcare workers throughout the world;
85          ▸     a full economic recovery;
86          ▸     a return to normal life; and
87          ▸     efforts to control the pandemic caused by COVID-19;
88          WHEREAS, the efforts and sacrifices of the aforementioned individuals and
89     organizations is deserving of acknowledgment and appreciation:

90          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah and
91     the Governor express great appreciation and gratitude for the aforementioned individuals and
92     organizations for their personal sacrifices and efforts to combat and respond to the
93     unprecedented challenges facing the state and the world as a result of the spread of COVID-19.