Utah’s governor more optimistic than DC on return to normal as Utahns weigh in
Feb 24, 2021, 11:28 AM | Updated: 11:29 am
(Screen grab from PBS Utah's monthly press conference)
(Screen grab from PBS Utah's monthly press conference)
SALT LAKE CITY — Nearly half of Utahns think it will be at least a year before we return to normal in the COVID-19 pandemic. But Utah’s governor is more optimistic.
The Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll shows 27% of Utahns think we are one year a way from a return to normal, and 20% think it will take several years.
But 21% say the state will return to normal by the fall, and 12% think it will be in 3-6 months.
19% were not sure.
Meanwhile, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox says it will be soon.
I’m really baffled by the pessimism we keep hearing from DC. Almost all the science (including concerns about variants) is overwhelmingly positive. With vaccine numbers soaring, I truly believe that we will be celebrating maskless in large groups by the 4th (if not sooner). https://t.co/aOYDqRudjV
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) February 23, 2021
When will life return to normal?
He tweeted Tuesday that he is baffled by the pessimism from Washington DC. He says the data is positive, cases are going down, vaccinations are going up, and he believes Utahns will be celebrating mask-less in large groups by July Fourth if not sooner.
“Your turn will come; it’s coming sooner than you think,” he said Tuesday on Utah’s Morning News about the vaccine rollout.
Cox pointed to data in his tweets.
Oh, and if you’re wondering why I’m so optimistic (and also why I insisted on prioritizing age over industry for vaccinations), here’s a couple data points… pic.twitter.com/uS96iVBK8m
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) February 24, 2021
He sees new reasons to be hopeful with Wednesday’s news of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, too.
And remember, this is a one shot vaccine…so the equivalent of 40 million Pfizer/Moderna doses. Also, Pfizer and Moderna have delivered around 80M doses so far, but will deliver a total of 200M by end of March! https://t.co/o5ZHNHkRbj
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) February 24, 2021
The Deseret News poll also asked Utahns about their level of worry about getting COVID-19. And they are less worried about contracting COVID-19 than they were in January. It went from 64% very or somewhat concerned, to 57% now. 35% were not very or not at all concerned compared to 43% in the newest poll.
