Doctors Urge Utahns To Continue Wearing Masks, Social Distancing During Spring Break

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Despite vaccination numbers continuing to increase across the state, the risks of COVID-19 are still out there and doctors urged Utahns to continue applying all safety precautions, even with the statewide mask mandate going away next month.

We’ve heard it all before, but heading into spring break, Dr. Mark Briesacher felt it’s OK to hear it again.

“Remain distanced, to wash our hands, to wear masks,” he said. “It’s all about keeping our patients safe and keeping each other safe.”

Breisacher, a physician executive for Intermountain Healthcare, warned with COVID-19 cases decreasing and vaccinations increasing in Utah, it can be easy to think the pandemic is behind us.

Especially with the statewide mask mandate going away next month.

However, he warned Utahns must still be careful.

“We all saw the pictures from the beaches in Florida and I know we’re not going to be like that,” he said. “Just keep in mind the things you can still do to stay safe.”

Things like doing more outdoor activities this spring break, such as camping and hiking and staying in groups as small as possible.

“Let’s not lose our edge,” said Briesacher. “Let’s not forget how serious this is. There are still Utahns dying from COVID-19.”

Still, though, we’re finally starting to see the end of this pandemic.

Vaccinations are the main reason why.

“To be at the halfway point on this first dose, minimum, I think this is a real moment of celebration,” he said.

So he said to celebrate and have fun this spring break.

Things are looking better, but remember we are still in a pandemic.

“I’d say we’re excited about the trends we’re seeing, mostly because it means so much to patients and families,” said Briesacher.