SALT LAKE CITY — Some Utahns opposed to the Utah Department of Health’s mask requirements have turned their scorn from Gov. Gary Herbert to a new target this week — state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn.
But protesters who gathered at Dunn’s Salt Lake home in an Avenues neighborhood were met by neighbors who were determined to make any gathering difficult and uncomfortable.
They called police, hung signs of support for Dunn and confronted protesters as to what they hoped to accomplish by protesting a civil servant who doesn’t have the power to institute or repeal mask mandates.
“All the neighbors on the street have been talking with each other,” said Laura Hopkins, who walked past the dozen protesters standing across the street from Dunn’s house for a second protest Thursday evening.
“They put their cars on the street so they could eliminate parking. Some of them have their sprinklers on to discourage people from loitering. ... We’ve seen a real coming together of the community right here,” Hopkins said. “Because we really want to support Angela and her family.”
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 protest at Dunn’s home were shared on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
The post announced protests organized by a group calling itself “People’s Right.” Only about 10 showed up in the neighborhood for a Thursday morning protest carrying flags and signs.
As protesters organized in the parking lot of a nearby church, Dunn was at a press conference with Herbert and local hospital administrators.
Dunn offered the daily COVID-19 numbers — 1,837 new cases in one day as well as a record-high positive rate of 18.1% and 10 new deaths — as social media was buzzing about what supporters might do if more protesters showed 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, Herbert sent a stronger statement on Twitter, calling on the protest organizers to cancel the event.
“No civil servant should have to come home to protests,” Herbert said. “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,” the governor said. “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.”
When another group gathered in the same church parking lot Thursday evening, they were met by Salt Lake police officers who explained that any signs or banners violated a city ordinance and warned that they couldn’t chant or yell at specific people or houses. Some of the protesters left after that conversation, but about a dozen men, women and children decided to carry several types of flags and stand on the sidewalk across the street from Dunn’s residence.
Some talked briefly with media, while others declined. One person said they were with Utahns for Medical Freedom, and that people would fare better against the virus if they ate healthy and got exercise, rather than wear a mask.
Thomas Pilger, who is also a health care worker, walked out of his house to see the protesters in his front yard. He talked with neighbors after that small protest, and decided to keep a watchful eye, which included turning on his sprinklers.
The neighbors felt especially vulnerable after hearing that Dunn’s home address was shared widely on social media.
“It’s so disrespectful to every heath care worker,” said neighbor Sally Belman. “Every person who walks into that hospital — nurses, housekeepers, cleaners, doctors — is putting their lives on the line everyday. And it’s disgraceful. ... It’s just a stunning, stunning lack of respect to every heath care professional and everybody who is trying to keep this state safe.”
Belman, who has worked as a nurse for 40 years, said the fact that they chose to protest in front of Dunn’s private residence was especially offensive.
“To target a young family,” she said shaking her head. “She’s a doctor. She’s not a policymaker. ... She’s doing her job to the best of her ability in the face of stunning ignorance.”
After being confronted by a couple who said they live in the neighborhood, the group left, exchanging insults with a neighbor who held a large sign that said, “Behold the power of ignorance.”
“You all need to read some books,” he yelled as they passed. “Go to the library. It’s free!”
A woman responded, “Read the Constitution!”
Another small group of protesters showed up about 20 minutes later, but they stayed in the parking lot of the church talking with other protesters who’d been at the earlier gathering. Neighbors stood on every corner and several walked dogs up and down the street to keep an eye on Dunn’s house, which was dark with blinds pulled over windows. Police maintained a significant presence in the neighborhood, parking near the church and backing into one neighbor’s driveway with a clear view of Dunn’s house.
On social media some who supported the idea of protesting at Dunn’s house said they felt like they were being ignored and that months of protesting mask mandates wasn’t doing any good.
“At this point, we have tried EVERYTHING else,” one woman wrote on Facebook. “So why not? Nothing is working. Rally’s do nothing. Showing up at the capital every weekend did nothing. At what point do we say enough is enough to their face?”
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 has become something of a local celebrity for her easy-to-understand and no nonsense press briefings since the early days of the pandemic. She 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 about 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 with national leaders, 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: “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.”