UPDATE:

On September 18, 2020, Governor Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) issued the following statement regarding today's case count of 1,117 new cases of COVID-19 in Utah: "This is another alarming day for our COVID-19 case numbers. We are clearly in an upward trend of cases. For months, we have warned people that they need to stay home if they are sick, and they need to stay away from others if they have tested positive for COVID-19. They need to wear a mask around others, even when they are not sick. We all need to consider the common public good when making daily decisions, and frankly, there is no room for lackadaisical behavior. This week’s spikes make me seriously question if these warnings and public education are enough.” https://twitter.com/UtahCoronavirus/status/1307070386698366977

This statement comes at a moment at which Utah is experiencing a 14.1% positive test rate and daily new cases of 25.0 per 100K - putting our population at risk of an outbreak. Even more alarming, Utah County specifically has a daily new case rate of 53.2 per 100K, more than double any other county in the state and is considered an active or imminent outbreak. These confirmed cases far exceed the case count and growth rate we experienced during the closures in March - April during which daily case counts remained at or below 150, a rate of less than 5 per 100K. http://covidactnow.org/us/ut/?s=1057229 (cited data from September 20, 2020)

The last three days represent the three highest single day totals since the beginning of the pandemic. As of September 20, Utah is 6th in the nation for highest cases per 100K, 2nd for infection rate, and 7th for positive test rate. https://covidactnow.org/?s=1057229

Herbert tweeted on September 17 - We are calling upon our local elected officials to analyze their data to ensure their policies are adequate to contain outbreaks. County health departments must also lead out and give the best recommendations possible. https://twitter.com/GovHerbert/status/1306664172831141888?s=20 He continues to emphasize local controls despite the overwhelming evidence that the current approach is not working, as is evidenced by the ongoing debate about a Utah County mask mandate - including Provo’s positive reinforcement campaign and the Utah County Sheriff’s insistence to not enforce a mandate. https://www.fox13now.com/news/coronavirus/local-coronavirus-news/utah-co-leaders-weighing-countywide-mask-mandate 

Fully six months into the COVID-19 pandemic, with overwhelming evidence that masks work, we call upon Governor Gary Herbert to implement a statewide mask mandate. Mask mandates in Salt Lake County worked - adherence was shown to be high and the case counts dropped following its implementation - while Utah County has allowed large events and now has the case counts that result from it. https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/36/eabd3083

The average age of confirmed cases has plummeted in the last week, “but young people mingle with old people. Kids hang out with their parents, who then hang out with their parents. College students are taught by older adults. At-risk elderly are treated and cared for by younger health care workers. Everyone goes to stores.
It is reasonable to expect that we’ll see a rise in cases among Utah’s older populations and we will see deaths. It’s going to take a couple of weeks for the cases to fully transmit from young to old, and then a further few weeks for sicknesses to turn to death, but it will happen.” https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/09/18/breaking-down-utahs/

ORIGINAL:
Governor Gary Herbert said on May 14, "I like the numbers. I like what's taking place. It gives me hope and optimism for the future." (from May 14 ABC4 news item) On that date, there were 163 new cases. Just two weeks later, on May 27, we hit a new record high of 236 new cases, which would prove to be the beginning of surging new case records - Utah is currently averaging ~350 new cases per day, based on 7 day averages.

As of June 18, Utah currently has the 6th highest Rt in the nation - meaning we are transmitting cases faster than all but 6 states in the United States, and we have sustained an Rt > 1 for over six weeks. 

What we want: That Utah government will issue a mandatory face mask order for everyone who leaves their home during the pandemic to wear a homemade or commercially available cloth face covering over their nose and mouth.

Specifically, to adopt language similar to the June 18 California mask order

• Inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor public space;
• Obtaining services from the healthcare sector in settings including, but not limited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or dental office, veterinary clinic, or blood bank;
• Waiting for or riding on public transportation or paratransit or while in a taxi, private car service, or ride-sharing vehicle;
• Engaged in work, whether at the workplace or performing work off-site, when:
  • Interacting in-person with any member of the public;
  • Working in any space visited by members of the public, regardless of whether anyone from the public is present at the time;
  • Working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution to others;
  • Working in or walking through common areas, such as hallways, stairways, elevators, and parking facilities;
  • In any room or enclosed area where other people (except for members of the person’s own household or residence) are present when unable to physically distance.
• Driving or operating any public transportation or paratransit vehicle, taxi, or private car service or ride-sharing vehicle when passengers are present. When no passengers are present, face coverings are strongly recommended.
• While outdoors in public spaces when maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household or residence is not feasible.

Why? Fox News, on May 15, published an article entitled "Coronavirus infections would plunge if 80 percent of people wore masks, study says." The article cautioned, "Masking at only 50 [percent] adoption is not sufficient to prevent continued spread," the researchers added. Replacing the strict lockdown with social distancing on May 31 without masking results in unchecked spread." That is, our half-masked approach is ineffective and our recent surge indicates exactly that.

Why does it work? In a study published June 11, 2020, researchers state:
Our analysis reveals that the difference with and without mandated face covering represents the determinant in shaping the pandemic trends in the three epicenters. This protective measure alone significantly reduced the number of infections, that is, by over 78,000 in Italy from April 6 to May 9 and over 66,000 in New York City from April 17 to May 9. Other mitigation measures, such as social distancing implemented in the United States, are insufficient by themselves in protecting the public. We conclude that wearing of face masks in public corresponds to the most effective means to prevent interhuman transmission, and this inexpensive practice, in conjunction with simultaneous social distancing, quarantine, and contact tracing, represents the most likely fighting opportunity to stop the COVID-19 pandemic. Our work also highlights the fact that sound science is essential in decision-making for the current and future public health pandemics.

Remember: The virus spreads from person-to-person in respiratory droplets.

What about mask shortages?

We already have the A Mask for Every Utahn initiative! The following is copied directly from the website (https://coronavirus.utah.gov/mask/) which implores Utahns to wear masks in public places.

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Please, when you’re in public places, wear a mask. Doing so will help protect you and others as we work to keep Utah healthy and safe.
“A Mask for Every Utahn” is a state of Utah initiative, in partnership with the Utah Manufacturers Association, to help Utahns who may not have a face mask and are returning to the workplace or going out in public.

The mask initiative is for all Utahns. We would particularly welcome orders from those who:

1. Don't already have a face mask,
2. Aren't able to make a face mask or get one from someone else, and
3. Aren't able to purchase a face mask.

The state will provide one mask to each resident who needs one, and will mail — upon request, once, and free of charge — up to six masks to each Utah mailing address.
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Version en español será disponible pronto.

Agradacimiento a Luis Perez Cadena - usamos la estructura efectiva de su petición, en particular, la sección "En Pocas Palabras".