As public health emergencies intensify around the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs is working closely with other state and local agencies to elevate the unique concerns and impacts that the outbreak has on underserved, underrepresented, and systemically marginalized populations.
CULTURALLY INCLUSIVE CONSIDERATIONS
We want to ensure that all of our communities understand the current recommended precautions to keep Utahns safe and mitigate the risk of exposure.
We urge employers and businesses to pay special attention to the impact that this disease and the response to its spread may have on systematically marginalized people, communities of color, the geographically underserved, and those from low-income households.
Resources for Equitable & Inclusive Emergency Response
- COVID-19 Racial Equity & Social Justice Resources
- The Education Trust, COVID-19 Impact on Educational Equity
- International Committee of the Red Cross, Inclusive Programming During the Time of Coronavirus
- National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Ten Equity Implications of the Coronavirus COVID-19 Outbreak
- National League of Cities, Prioritizing Equity in COVID-19 Response
The Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs urges Utahns to consider and work towards the following:
- Be flexible, inclusive, and culturally appropriate in your actions and communication.
- Actively dispel xenophobic misinformation that COVID-19 is linked to individuals of a specific ethnicity, race, or national origin.
- Respond to this crisis with unity and compassion.
- Remember we are all only as safe as those members of our community who are most underserved.
Inclusive Social Distancing Measures:
- Develop emergency contacts that consider those most affected by social isolation.
- We encourage people to call neighbors, colleagues and friends that may not have the same immediate access to information due to technology and language barriers.
State Resources
The State of Utah has been responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by centralizing information and combining efforts. Here are a few resources to refer to:
- Coronavirus.Utah.Gov
- Utah Department of Health
- Utah Department of Workforce Services
- Utah Office of Health Disparities
- Utah-211 (Dial 2-1-1 to connect to health and human resources)
National Resources
For nationwide updates and information, please see:
Community-Based Resources
Social Services
- In Utah, Governor's Office of Economic Development
- Pacific Island Business Alliance
- Salt Lake City Economic Development Office
- SCORE Utah: Support for Small Businesses
- Suazo Business Center
- U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Relief
- U.S. Department of Labor
- Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development
- World Trade Center Utah
- Zions Bank Paycheck Protection Program (For Non-Profits and Small Businesses)
What You can Do to Stay Healthy
Everyone can take steps to stop the spread of disease. See the infographic below for best practices as recommended by the State of Utah's COVID-19 Response.
Social Distancing & Mental Health
Healthcare Access & Testing
If you believe you have been exposed or have symptoms associated with COVID-19, please see testing resources below and limit your physical contact with others.
Please use certified telemedicine services such as, the official COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-456-7707, Connect Care or call Health Answers at 844-501-6600 if you have any questions, so as to not overload hospitals at this time.
News Alerts
The situation is always changing. The following are news resources to help you stay informed.