Coronavirus | Alliance for a Better Utah

More deaths, no benefit from drug touted by Trump to treat coronavirus, study finds

Better Utah April 22, 2020

This article originally appeared on CBS News. Read it in its entirety here. A malaria drug widely touted by President Donald Trump for treating the new coronavirus showed no benefit in a large analysis of its use in U.S. veterans hospitals. There were more deaths among those given hydroxychloroquine versus standard care, researchers reported. The nationwide study was not a rigorous experiment. But with 368 patients, it’s the largest look

Utah to buy stockpile of anti-malarial drugs, critics blast deal

Better Utah April 21, 2020

This article originally appeared in KSL. Read it in its entirety here. SALT LAKE CITY — State health officials are in the process of buying a mass of anti-malarial drugs to treat up to 200,000 of Utah’s COVID-19 patients, despite objections from medical experts. The plan is to distribute the drugs to local pharmacies across the state so the treatment will be available “free of charge to patients,

Press Release: Another power grab by the Utah Legislature

Better Utah April 17, 2020

PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2020 Salt Lake City, UT – In response to the Utah House passing S.B. 3004, Covid-19 Health and Economic Response Act, Lauren Simpson, policy director for Alliance for a Better Utah, issued the following statement: “S.B. 3004 is an example of a solution in search of a problem, and

Utah Legislature eyes May 1 for reopening economy as the coronavirus wears on

Better Utah April 16, 2020

This article originally appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. Read it in its entirety here. State lawmakers convened a historic, all-virtual special session on the COVID-19 outbreak on Thursday, with an eye toward the date Utah can start emerging from quarantine — and they’re pitching May 1 as a target. House Speaker Brad Wilson said legislators will create guidelines to start reawakening the state’s slumbering economy “carefully, methodically,

Press Release: A pandemic is no time for a power grab

Better Utah April 15, 2020

PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 15, 2020 Salt Lake City, UT – Starting Thursday, the Utah Legislature will convene in a special session to address the impact of the COVID-19 emergency. One bill the Legislature will address is H.B. 3005, Pandemic Response and Consultation Act. The bill, sponsored by Representative Gibson, would require the governor

Press Release: Virtual public comment during special session not actually public

Better Utah April 14, 2020

PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 14, 2020 Salt Lake City, UT – In response to the announcement of the first Special Session for the Utah Legislature to be carried out entirely online, Lauren Simpson, policy director for Alliance for a Better Utah, made the following statement: “While we appreciate how many moving pieces there are

Coronavirus in Utah

Better Utah March 27, 2020

Coronavirus, Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19–names that confuse, strike fear, and bewilder the general public. These words have become part of our every-day lexicon. There is not a day that goes by when there is not at least one discussion of the virus and how it is upending everyone’s lives. What started as a conversation in December

underpass sign that says "Let's Love Our Community"

The breaking point of individualism

Lauren Simpson March 26, 2020

What a whirlwind the two weeks have been. (I say that figuratively. Mother Nature, if you are reading this, please do not get any ideas.) In the midst of a pandemic and the largest earthquake Utah has seen in decades, state and local leaders have responded in rapid and productive ways. They deserve a tremendous

Press Release: Better Utah statement on Utah Leads Together Plan

Better Utah March 24, 2020

PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2020 Salt Lake City, UT – Following the release of the Utah Leads Together Plan in response to the COVID-19 crisis, Chase Thomas, executive director of Alliance for a Better Utah, issued the following statement: “Given the failure of national leaders, it has become clear that real leadership in

Tag: Coronavirus