Utah Gov. Spencer Cox walks back doubts on effectiveness of masks
Sep 3, 2021, 6:04 PM
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox addressed the media for an update on COVID-19 on August 31, 2021. Photo: screenshot, Facebook
SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox is walking back comments he made this week doubting the effectiveness of masks.
“Masks are not as effective as most of the pro-mask crowd is arguing, they’re just not,” he said during Tuesday’s COVID-19 briefing.
On Friday he tweeted that what meant was that masks may not be as effective as the vaccine.
This week I made some inarticulate statements around masks. My purpose wasn’t to imply that masks don’t work at all, but that they pale in comparison to vaccines. Fortunately we just got more info showing that a 29% ⬆️ in masks (not cloth)=9% ⬇️ in Covid. https://t.co/eHkbkpnIN6
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) September 3, 2021
Despite efforts to clarify his position on the effectiveness of masks, the Governor’s comments angered some local doctors like University of Utah’s Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Dr. Andy Pavia.
It is very possible that the Governor misspoke in the heat of the moment. If so, he can and must walk it back. If not, his statements stand – factually incorrect, wrong, and an affront to health care and public health workers. Not to mention causing national embarassment https://t.co/2vOLVJp19o
— Andrew Pavia (@AndrewPaviaMD) September 2, 2021
The governor said he was trying to use Tuesday’s conference to encourage both sides of the mask debate to keep perspective. He retweeted a statement earlier this week that said “Partisanship as an identity is tearing this country apart.”
The Utah Health Department today reported just over sixteen hundred new cases of COVID-19. For the first time since January, there are more than 500 people in Utah who are hospitalized with COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages everyone over the age of two to wear a mask in indoor public places.
How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus
COVID-19 coronavirus spreads person to person, similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
- Don’t touch your face.
- Wear a mask to protect yourself and others per CDC recommendations.
- Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet).
- If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities).
- Get a flu shot.
Local resources
Utah’s Coronavirus Information
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707
National Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization
