Happy Saturday, and welcome to Inside Voices, a weekly newsletter that features a collection of ideas, perspectives and solutions from across Utah — without any of the vitriol or yelling that’s become all too common on other platforms. Subscribe here.
Brandi O’Brien was born and raised in Rochester, New York, a city with some of the highest asthma rates in the country. She says, though, she didn’t have asthma until moving to Salt Lake City.
“About a year and a half after moving to Salt Lake City, I rushed myself to urgent care,” she writes in an op-ed published this week. “I had my head out of the window because I was afraid of what might happen if I waited for my windshield to defrost. I was short of breath and terrified.”
“‘Do you have asthma?’ they asked, as I rushed in gasping for air.”
“‘No.‘”
“Four urgent care visits and countless inhalers later, it turns out I do. Winter inversions, dusty or smoky summer days leave no doubt: I definitely have asthma now.”
Amid efforts to weaken air quality standards in Salt Lake City, O’Brien argues that “the people who should be held most responsible for doing so should be the very ones we elect to protect our health — starting here at home.”
I want to hear from you: How has Utah’s air quality impacted your life? What would you like to see done about it? Let me know.
Utah Voices
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Dr. Jennifer Plumb, medical director of Utah Naloxone, who founded the organization with her brother Sam as a “rescue mission” to get the life-saving medication into the hands of as many people as possible, keeps a sticker on her truck as she continues her advocacy work.
The following excerpts come from op-eds recently published in The Tribune.
Proposed cuts to naloxone distribution and addiction treatment
“We cannot afford to play politics with people’s lives,” writes Lynn R. Webster, a physician in Salt Lake City. “The opioid crisis does not care about party lines. It affects red states and blue states, cities and rural towns, the insured and the uninsured. Utah’s congressional delegation should take a principled stand and oppose the proposed cuts to naloxone and addiction recovery funding. Their constituents’ lives depend on it.” Read more.
‘Preventing an epidemic’ in Utah
“Treatment for dental caries can be complex, expensive and may require dental procedures which can cause unnecessary exposure to anesthesia,” writes pediatrician Sarmishta Kannan. “Furthermore, not everyone can afford expensive therapies or even routine dental care. Now, without water fluoridation, we have lost our one weapon to shield our kids from tooth decay. We have also increased the barriers for all kids, especially those from lower socioeconomic status and rural communities to receive this standard of care.” Read more.
Planned Parenthood’s impact on rural students in Utah
“Without that trip to Planned Parenthood to give me hope, I wouldn’t be here,” writes Emma Phelps. “Beyond reproductive care, they helped me create an escape plan from my abuser. They gave me mental health resources, were there for me when I was abandoned by family and friends, and, above all, reminded me that I was in charge of my body and my health.” Read more.
‘Pulling the rug’ from under Utah business owners
“I believe Utah is a great place to do business — limited paperwork, common sense regulations, reasonable taxes, good education and a government that wants you to succeed — so my business installing solar panels for Utahns was soon a thriving one,” writes Ryan Stucki. “Six years after my cofounders and I started Smart Wave Solar, we have 120 employees and have installed solar panels on more than 3,000 Utah homes. Yet Congress is set to make Utah — and, indeed, the entire nation — a much harder place for growing businesses like mine.” Read more.
Ensuring internet connectivity for all of Utah
“As major innovations in security, connectivity and AI rapidly evolve and mature, we must help keep Utah competitive by treating broadband as part of Utah’s critical infrastructure: essential, universal and future-proof,” write Spencer Jenkins, the CEO and executive director of the Utah Education and Telehealth Network; Rebecca Dilg, director of the state’s Utah Broadband Center; and Bruce H. Todd, president of the Utah Rural Telecom Association and CEO of STRATA Networks. “We’ll get there if we continue to work together — keeping the people of Utah at the heart of every decision.” Read more.
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What topics would you like to see covered in The Tribune’s Voices space? Who would you most like to hear from? Let me know!
From Bagley’s Desk
Uncertain Justice | Pat Bagley
I’m always looking for unique perspectives, ideas and solutions that move our state forward. Learn more about our guidelines for an op-ed, guest essay, letter to the editor and more here, and drop me a note at voices@sltrib.com.
