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| First Up: Flu Season Is Already Here |
|  | Salt Lake County Health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated as flu season arrives earlier than usual. (Iparraguirre Recio/Getty Images)
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| Flu season is getting an unusually early start in Utah, and Salt Lake County health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated now rather than wait until Halloween. Here’s why this year’s early surge is raising concerns: | - Cases are climbing: Intermountain Health reported 182 positive Influenza A tests in the first week of October, compared to just two to 46 cases during the same week over the past five years. [Intermountain Health]
- Emergency rooms are feeling it: Flu accounted for 0.49% of statewide ER visits that week, more than double the rate recorded during the same period in any year since 2019. [Axios Salt Lake City]
- Your flu shot needs a head start: It takes up to two weeks for your body to build protection after vaccination, so getting ahead of the virus matters. You can get your shot at a doctor’s office, pharmacy, or Salt Lake County immunization clinic. [ABC4, Salt Lake County Health Department]
- Save on groceries while you’re at it: Smith’s Pharmacy offers $5 off groceries when you get a flu shot, or $20 off when you get a flu shot and another eligible vaccine (like the Covid-19 booster) at participating pharmacies through Nov. 28. [Smith’s]
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| What Salt Lake's Talking About |
| Big Weekend Sales | Three Salt Lake institutions are hosting sales this weekend! KRCL’s vinyl sale kicks off Friday evening in Central 9th. It’s 20% off all books at Central Book Exchange in Sugar House this Saturday. And the iconic Christmas house in the Avenues is retiring after 30 years of elaborate decor, selling it all this Saturday morning. [KRCL, Instagram, Facebook] | | Newest Supreme Court Justice Got Political | Michael Menssen, a new Utah Supreme Court Justice handpicked by Gov. Spencer Cox, signed a petition to repeal Proposition 4 (Utah’s 2018 anti-gerrymandering law) just months before being appointed to the very court that will rule on a case associated with the voter-led initiative. And, in hearing recent arguments related to the case, he has not recused himself. [ABC4] | | St. George’s Kooky Slides | St. George used $575,000 from a parks tax to build two, four-story stainless steel slides from the City Hall parking garage. The city says they’re a hit, attracting families downtown and seeing 2,400 uses a day. [KUTV] | | The Future of College in Utah | Much talk about distrust of higher education and slashing of university budgets in our state. But, I went to a data presentation that tells a different story. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧] | |
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| | | Is there a neighborhood gem or local cause you want to amplify? Our members have this dedicated space to spread the word and here’s what they’re loving this week: | | 📣 Julia L. wants to shoutout the Wasatch Elementary PTA fall fundraiser: “Every donation helps these public school students in Salt Lake City receive instruction in drama, visual art, and music. The arts give every student a chance to grow and shine! Please help the Wasatch Stars by donating today.” | | 📣Katie H. is a fan of Knife and Fork Grill: “ If you loved Left Fork Grill, it is back and better than ever! Best spot for a great meal and a slice of pie.” | | Join City Cast Salt Lake Neighbors to share your Salt Lake shoutout. | | | |
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Another great event to add to your calendar: A backyard railjam on Friday, Oct 23. BYOS (bring your own skis). |
| — Terina Ria | Ali Vallarta wrote today’s “What Salt Lake’s Talking About.” |
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