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‘Utah Politics’ podcast: We’re done with COVID but it’s not done with us

Democratic lawmaker says Republicans are needlessly politicizing the pandemic.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rep. Suzanne Harrison, D-Draper, discusses the COVID-19 pandemic. Her job as an anesthesiologist gives her a unique perspective on the public health issue.

Rep. Suzanne Harrison, D-Draper, has a unique perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only is she a Utah Legislator, but she also works in a busy operating room as an anesthesiologist.

“As someone who’s been working in our hospitals during this fourth wave, this is a huge problem,” Harrison says. “Our staff is exhausted and we’re having a hard time finding beds for the people that need care.”

She thinks her Republican colleagues in the Legislature have needlessly politicized the public response to the pandemic, which has harmed the state’s effort to respond.

“In some ways, legislative leaders are talking out of both sides of their mouth. On one side they’re saying getting the vaccine is important, but on the other side, they give credibility to anti-vaccine groups by giving them time to present at a legislative hearing. It undermines the work our doctors and nurses are doing to save lives,” Harrison says.

Listen to the full conversation below.

Rep. Suzanne Harrison on Twitter: @VoteSuz

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