Happy Saturday, and welcome to Inside Voices, a weekly newsletter that features a collection of ideas, perspectives and solutions from across Utah — without any of the vitriol or yelling that’s become all too common on other platforms. Subscribe here.
Five years ago, The Utah Department of Health reported the state’s first case of COVID-19. Between then and now, Utahns have experienced loss, illness and countless changes.
I wanted to hear more individual stories about what else has changed in the past five years — the personal impacts of a pandemic. Here’s what you shared.
“Lost my faith, nearly lost my life, lost my dad to COVID — and forever have to deal with the indignity of people asking, ‘What did he really die of?’ — lost my job, and had to move back in with my mom. COVID hit a year after having gone through cancer, too. I’ve had to pick up the pieces of my entire life and completely build a new one. I am content with where I am now, but this inability for our society to truly grapple with the long-term implications of it means that I have to relive aspects of it every day.” — Emily, Taylorsville
“We’re taking a yearly updated COVID vaccination alongside the flu vaccine. What scares me now is the anti-vaccine position of the new administration … The silence of our representatives is extremely disturbing. Next winter will be a hard one for our elderly.” — Douglas, Logan
“Got divorced because I became an ex-Mormon. Had to accept a less than ideal child custody situation. My life has changed significantly…” — Marc, Washington Terrace
“I used to drive up to Salt Lake to play cards with my sisters once a week. When the pandemic hit we couldn’t get together. My son taught me how to set up a Zoom meeting and a virtual card room. We’ve been playing cards online now for five years. Saves me a lot of time and travel.” — Anna, South Jordan
“I’ve had more vaccinations in the past five years than in the previous 65 years. The oldies even did an RSV vaccine study — that one kicked my butt! Got the MMR yesterday … I couldn’t live with myself if we caught it and infected the grandkids.” — Miranda, Eden
“The pandemic stimulus provided the boost my family needed to escape poverty. After it ended, we’ve managed to stay out, but it’s been harder, and many people have been less fortunate. Saying ‘since the pandemic’ always feels wrong to me because COVID is still very much around and very much a problem, but we’ve collectively decided to place it in the past.” — Adam, Bountiful
Share your thoughts.
Utah Voices
(Dustin Gettel) Midvale Mayor Dustin Gettel’s desk.
The following excerpts come from op-eds recently published in The Tribune.
🏳️🌈 Pride flags
“Growing up, there were very few openly LGBTQ+ leaders in elected office,” writes Midvale Mayor Dustin Gettel. “I didn’t have the reassurance that someone like me could step up, serve and lead. From personal experience, I can tell you that seeing a pride flag displayed at City Hall isn’t just symbolic — and it certainly isn’t political. It’s a statement that all qualified, capable individuals have a place in public service at every level of government.” Read more.
🏜️ National monuments
“The Trump administration poses a significant threat to national monuments and America’s natural heritage,” writes Steve Bloch with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Aaron Paul with the Grand Canyon Trust and Heidi McIntosh with Earthjustice. “Project 2025 calls for downsizing national monuments and undoing the Antiquities Act, and the Trump administration and their congressional allies have already shown their adherence to this anti-environment and anti-public lands agenda. This is our call to action on the president’s intent to hand over some of our nation’s most significant public lands to industry — all signs point toward these impending cuts.” Read more.
🦠 Public health
“The U.S. invests in global health initiatives to prevent, detect and manage infectious disease threats because halting and treating diseases at their source is one of the best and most economical ways of saving lives and protecting Americans,” writes researcher Zoey England. “As we’ve seen with the COVID-19 pandemic, a global health crisis can have severe consequences, not only for those directly affected but for all of us. We must recognize that our health and well-being as Utahns are inextricably linked to the health of the world, and therefore, supporting global health initiatives and foreign aid is not just an act of compassion; it is a strategic investment in our own future. Our health depends on it.” Read more.
📚 Higher education
“We do not represent or speak for Utah State University in any official capacity,” write seven educators at USU. “We do, however, all work as professors in USU’s English Department, and we wish to speak out as private citizens against Utah SB334 and to correct the misperception that this bill has the backing of the humanities faculty. It does not. In fact, we all learned about the bill at the end of February — last week — along with the general public. This bill will radically transform general education at USU, and eventually at all Utah public colleges and universities, in ways we believe will be detrimental to our students’ education.” Read more.
💊 Prescription drug costs
“As a cancer survivor, I understand firsthand what it means to fight for your life. But no one should have to fight just to afford the medication they need. It’s time for our leaders in Washington to stand up for Utah families, challenge Big Pharma’s greed and make prescription drugs affordable for everyone. Utahns deserve better.” Read more.
Share Your Perspective
(Eric Lee | The New York Times) President Donald Trump and Elon Musk explain the administration’s cost-cutting efforts in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025.
Are you a federal employee impacted by the Trump administration’s workforce cuts? Tell me how you’ve been impacted.
From Bagley’s Desk
I’m always looking for unique perspectives, ideas and solutions that move our state forward. Learn more about our guidelines for an op-ed, guest essay, letter to the editor and more here, and drop me a note at voices@sltrib.com.
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