(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Shari Lindsey looks at Diego Rivera’s La ofrenda as Utah Museum of Fine Arts in Salt Lake City opens for the first time in five months, with new COVID-19 restrictions in place, on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020.
By Janelle Heck | The Public Forum
| Jan. 9, 2022, 1:00 p.m.
Thank you to the freedom fighting defenders of the right not to be vaccinated nor to wear masks, and for the right to get Covid. Thank you for your part in bringing us to the third year of COVID and a highly infectious one at that. Thank you for your part in reducing my freedoms to enjoy and participate in the culture and arts of Salt Lake City. It is beyond my comprehension why the Legislature and governor of Utah have chosen to enact punitive and restrictive measures to combat COVID rather than setting up strong incentives to encourage the reduction of the spread of COVID. But hey, that seems to be their MO as evidenced by their punitive tax on those who have purchased electric vehicles which help to reduce our unhealthy air. It is way past time for our Legislature and governor to reinforce health rather than to promote death.
It is time for our leaders to move in a positive direction by using incentives and reinforcements. How about a vaccine pass similar to the ones more advanced countries have put in place? Those of us in the majority who are fully vaccinated and wear masks would be able to go to places like Pioneer Memorial Theater, the Natural History Museum, the Utah Opera and Symphony, Broadway at the Eccles, and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts.
It is time for our leaders to inundate us with messages of positivity. If you are fully vaccinated and wear a mask you can participate in Utah culture. If you are vaccinated and wear a mask you can have a job. If you are vaccinated and wear a mask to the table, you can eat inside at a restaurant. If you are vaccinated and wear a mask you can go to a movie. If you are vaccinated and wear a mask you can go shopping. For two years, because of the punitive regulations imposed on us by the Legislature, I have had to give up all my season tickets to all those venues mentioned above. The only art I have participated in are plays at the Salt Lake Acting Company because they appear to be the only art venue that has put out the positive, most effective response for its patrons — if you are fully vaccinated and wear a mask you can see the plays.
The whole world knows the measures that need to be taken to reduce the spread of COVID. It is time for Utah leaders to lead and to lead with positive, effective measures to keep us safe.
Janelle Heck, Millcreek
By Janelle Heck | The Public Forum
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