Should Utah’s governor issue a mask mandate? Cox, Peterson differ

Democrat Chris Peterson and Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, pictured in these 2020 file photos, are running for Utah governor. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Gubernatorial candidates appear at virtual forum

SALT LAKE CITY — Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, the Republican candidate for governor, claimed Wednesday he has “no choice” but to support Gov. Gary Herbert’s decision not to issue a mask mandate to help stop the spread of COVID-19, but his Democratic opponent, Chris Peterson, insisted it’s needed now more than ever.

The state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic was a focus during an hourlong virtual “Informed Decisions 2020” forum on the governor’s race, featuring separate interviews of Cox and Peterson by Jason Perry, director of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics, that were streamed on YouTube.

Both candidates were asked about Herbert’s decision to leave imposing mask mandates up to local authorities.

On Tuesday, the governor returned Provo and Orem to a higher level of restrictions following a spike in cases attributed largely to BYU and Utah Valley University students, but did not order masks be worn. Late Tuesday, the Utah County Commission put a countywide mask mandate in place through Oct. 20.

Even Cox’s running mate, state Sen. Deidre Henderson, R-Spanish Fork, had come out in favor of a mask mandate in Utah County and said she supported the governor taking action if local officials failed to address hot spots in the state.

But Cox, who has previously said Herbert asked him not to “get in front” of him on the issue, once again stopped short of saying what he would have done had he been governor.

“I’m still the lieutenant governor and I have no choice but to agree with the actions of the governor. Look, I think there is wisdom in that,” Cox said of Herbert’s approach, adding that the situation “certainly is different in different parts of the state and we can work closely together to make the right decisions together.”

Cox said “the governor has been very clear that on the mask mandate side, he wants to leave that to the local officials to make that decision but he was able to apply pressure in that case by saying he thinks it’s a good idea and highly recommends it.”

Giving local authorities “incentive” by warning the additional restrictions placed on Provo and Orem could be extended to the rest of the county is a “type of leadership that has been very effective on lots of issues in the past,” Cox said. He said he was “grateful” the Utah County Commission then stepped up.

Peterson, who was interviewed first, pointed out he has already called for a statewide mask mandate, back in July.

“I know that’s not popular in some circles, but I believe it’s critical to keep people safe in this state. The science is irrefutable now that if we don’t put masks on, that we’re putting not just ourselves but others at risk. I think it’s more important to do that now than ever,” the U. law professor said.

Citing “skyrocketing” cases — reaching a rolling seven-day average for positive tests of 876 per day as of Wednesday — Peterson said although “generally speaking, my philosophy is to work with respect and as a team with local governments and to defer to them whenever possible,” this is different.

In situations such as natural disasters and emergencies, he said “it is appropriate for the governor’s office to take direct steps to try to protect the health, safety and welfare of our citizens. So I believe it’s critical for us in this dangerous time, while there’s an epidemic on, for masks to be worn statewide.”

That doesn’t rule out “some reasonable exceptions,” Peterson said. “No one is suggesting if you’re a farmer or a rancher out in the middle of 30 acres that you have to have a mask on. But I do believe it’s important as a matter of public safety for the governor’s office to lead directly.”

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