Anti-mask protesters target state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn

State epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn speaks during a COVID-19 press conference at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — Utahns opposed to the Utah Department of Health’s mask requirements are turning their scorn from Gov. Gary Herbert to a new target this week — state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn.

Two weeks ago state officials said masks would be required for any gathering in counties with high transmission rates. That set off a firestorm of criticism among those who are opposed to masks in any setting, and plans for a Wednesday night protest at Dunn’s Salt Lake home were shared on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

The post, which say the protests are organized by a group calling itself “People’s Right,” listed two protests — one Thursday morning and another Thursday afternoon outside Dunn’s Salt Lake home. Thursday morning, only about 10 protesters showed up in the neighborhood carrying flags and signs.

As protesters organized in the parking lot of a nearby church in the Avenues, Dunn was at a press conference with Herbert and local hospital administrators.

Dunn offered the daily COVID-19 numbers, which included a record-high positive rate of 18.1% and 10 new deaths, social media was buzzing about what supporters might do if protesters show up Thursday night.

“I have been made aware that there were protesters at my house this morning,” Dunn said when asked about it at the press conference, “and it’s scary and wrong that somebody would feel comfortable sharing my personal information.”

She continued, “It’s taken a really big toll on my family and myself, and they’re supposed to be there again tonight. I think it’s really unfortunate that we live in a state where people feel that it’s OK to harass civil servants. It’s wrong.”

Herbert then offered his own thoughts on the protests.

“I know we’re asking a lot of the people of Utah to be patient,” he said. “We know their time is valuable. ... Protesting at Dr. Dunn’s home is probably not the best use of their time. We’ve had protests here at the Capitol, my home, the governor’s mansion. ... I don’t know that it’s making anything different or better.”

Later Thursday after the press conference, Herbert sent a stronger statement, calling on the protest organizers to cancel the event.

“No civil servant should have to come home to protests,” Herbert said on Twitter. “I’m deeply disturbed that this has been Dr. Dunn’s reality this week. These protests are disgraceful and the organizers behind them should cancel all planned protests immediately. It’s one thing to protest an elected official like myself, but it is completely out of bounds to protest at a state employee’s home.

“Law enforcement has been working for weeks, and as recently as today, to ensure the safety of our public health officials. They will continue monitoring concerning activities, and we will deploy all necessary resources to protect our public health experts from bad actors, harm and harassment. Dr. Dunn has been and continues to be a critical leader in Utah’s pandemic response. We are fortunate to have her, and I am deeply grateful for her service,” the governor said.

Early Thursday, Dunn retweeted something she shared on June 23, 2020, when the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci was facing death threats for his work in offering public health advice as part of President Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force. The tweet she again shared was from the Public Health Institute. It said: “Instead of bulletproof vests and security details, our local public health officials deserve the protection of those who appointed them, and of those they serve.”

The article linked to the tweet from the Public Health Institute shared how public health officials have endured public criticism and personal threats since the birth of epidemiology and public health. That story included a range of scientists and doctors from John Snow, who convinced skeptical public officials to remove a handle from a communal water pump and ended one of the worst cholera outbreaks London had endured, to the public health workers on the front lines of the AIDS epidemic, who were forced to wear bulletproof vests just to go to work in labs across the country.

Dunn became something of a local celebrity for her easy-to-understand and no nonsense press briefings in the early months of the pandemic. Dunn became the most trusted voice on pandemic realities and possible precautions in Utah, just as Fauci became one of the most trusted voices nationally.

In July, Quinniapac released a poll that showed that 67% of respondents didn’t trust the information President Donald Trump offered on the coronavirus, while conversely 65% said they did trust the information provided by Fauci.

Fauci fans created all kinds of merchandise, including a bobble head and T-shirts, while Topps released a baseball card featuring Fauci’s season-opening throw at the Nationals game.

Dunn hasn’t had the same friction between state leaders as Fauci has endured, but she still has some fans. One woman created “I love Dr. Dunn” T-shirts which she sold on social media to profuse praise from those who see Dunn as apolitical and trustworthy.

But with their newfound rock star status, both are now enduring threats and criticism from groups who range from anti-maskers to conspiracy theorists who believe the virus is a hoax and the doctors are part of a plan to gain political control of the public.

Fauci, a lifelong runner like Dunn is, revealed on “60 Minutes” that he no longer enjoys a morning run. Instead, he walks briskly with a security detail because of near constant death threats.

When Dunn retweeted the Institute of Public Health message, she received a swift show of support.

“We are less vocal and less threatening but please know that you have the backing of many who you serve and we appreciate all you do and try to do,” said one woman. “Stay safe.”

Dunn responded with, “Thankful for support from state and local leadership! And neighbors and friends.”

Some social media posts accused former Salt Lake police officer-turned-activist Eric Moutsos of organizing the protests as it was shared on his “Utah Business Revival” page. He has been openly critical of Dunn. But he took to Facebook in writing and in a video to let followers know that he didn’t organize the protests, and he isn’t supportive of protests at private residences.

“I want to make it clear that myself and the Utah Business Revival is against going to the personal homes of elected representatives or those in the Health Departments to protest,” Moutsos wrote. “Even as radical as they are by blatantly going against the Constitution taking our rights away. Angela Dunn is way out of her lane. She doesn’t understand the proper role of Government and neither does Gov Herbert.”

He reiterated he is supportive of protests, including those of mask mandates.

“Protests on tax payer government facilities is where this should happen in my opinion,” he said. “I don’t condemn anyone who chooses to use their 1st Amendment right to do this, but I caution that things could go sideways really quick. Just because we can do it doesn’t mean we should do it. You may have the best intentions going, but someone standing beside you might not. Or the opposition could plant someone there to do something really stupid and you would be blamed.”

Additional information will be posted throughout the day.

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