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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
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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.