Take 2 host Heidi Hatch is joined by former Speaker of the House Greg Hughes and political consultant Scott Howell in a new episode.
The big topic of discussion is President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus bill. Early Friday, the Senate approved a measure that would let Democrats muscle Biden’s coronavirus relief plan through the chamber without Republican support. Vice President Kamala Harris was in the chair to cast the tie-breaking vote — her first.
Other topics discussed include:
Sen. Mitt Romney’s Family Security ACT proposal to be added on to stimulus package: Romney released the Family Security Act on Thursday — which the senator plans to propose as an amendment included with the Democrats’ stimulus package. It would provide families up to $3,000 a year in financial support per child ages 6 to 17 and up to $4,200 a year for infants to age 6. Americans expecting a child would be able to start applying for the monthly benefit four months prior to their due date.
Catfishing Bill: The House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted Thursday afternoon to move forward with a bill intended to protect people who are impersonated online. House Bill 239, sponsored by Rep. Karianne Lisonbee (R-Clearfield), would criminalize the impersonation of someone else on the internet to harm, intimidate, or threaten.
After a record number of police shootings in 2020, police reform bills face the first test in Utah Legislature. House Bill 84, sponsored by Rep. Angela Romero (D-Salt Lake City), would require law enforcement agencies to report data regarding use-of-force incidents to the Bureau of Criminal Identification.
House Bill 162, sponsored by Rep Romero would require officers’ annual training to include a substantial focus on “mental health and other crisis intervention responses, arrest control, and de-escalation training.”
Senate Bill 38, sponsored by Sen. Daniel Thatcher (R-West Valley), would tighten the certification and training requirements for police dogs and their handlers. That bill passed the Senate and is awaiting action in the House of Representatives.
Senate Bill 13, sponsored by Sen. Jani Iwamoto (D-Salt Lake City), would require providing information about officers under certain investigations to POST. It would also require providing information about officers to prospective employers if asked. That bill passed a Senate committee last week.
COVID-19 is a real threat to anybody, including pregnant women. Pregnant women are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and death, compared to non-pregnant people. Additionally, pregnant women with COVID-19 might be at increased risk for other adverse outcomes, such as preterm birth (delivering the baby earlier than 37 weeks).
Jade Elliott spoke with Sean Esplin, MD, Sr. Medical Director, Women’s Health, Intermountain Healthcare, to discuss COVID-19 and how it impacts pregnant women on this episode of the Baby Your Baby Podcast.
What is the best way to protect yourself and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19?
Expectant mothers should follow CDC guidelines around mask wearing, social gathering and hand hygiene.
1. Limit interactions with people who might have been exposed to or who might be infected with COVID-19, including people within your household, as much as possible.
2. Take steps to prevent getting COVID-19 when you do interact with others.
3. Wear a mask, especially when you cannot keep distance from other people. Avoid others who are not wearing masks or ask others around you to wear a mask.
4. Stay at least 6 feet away from others outside your household.
5. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
6. Avoid activities where taking these steps might be difficult.
Why can it be difficult for pregnant women to distinguish between COVID-19 symptoms and pregnancy symptoms?
Pregnant women might confuse COVID-19 symptoms with the more traditional symptoms experienced during pregnancy.
People can have COVID-19 and actually be pretty sick and not know it. They can be unaware of how short of breath they actually are, or how low their oxygen levels are. During pregnancy, it’s really important to keep those oxygen levels high because if mom’s oxygen is low, then the baby’s oxygen level is even lower.
What risks are there for pregnant women if they get COVID-19?
Those with coronavirus are at higher risk for blood clots; so too are pregnant women. That’s why medication is now used to prevent blood clots in pregnant women.
Can COVID-19 affect your unborn baby?
Although the virus doesn’t cross the placenta, and get to the baby, it can get to the interface between the placenta and the lining of the uterus, where it can cause some changes in the blood vessels that changes how much oxygen and food and fluid are getting to the baby across the placenta. It can make it so that the placenta doesn’t really work as well in some women. It can age the placenta. Which may mean some pregnant women with COVID-19 may need to deliver their baby early.
What if I’m pregnant and get exposed to someone with COVID-19?
Get tested. Intermountain Healthcare recommends you get tested seven days after exposure. If someone you live with has COVID-19 have them isolate in a certain area of your home and use a separate bathroom if possible. Wear a mask, social distance and practice good hand hygiene and/or wear gloves when caring for them or handling their dishes or laundry. Have the sick person clean the areas they are using if they are well enough to do so.
What if I have COVID-19 when it’s time to deliver my baby?
Prior to giving birth, Intermountain asks that our patients are tested for COVID-19. This can be done a few days before your due date. Or if you go into labor early or need to be induced early, we can do a rapid COVID-19 test when you arrive at the hospital.
Our hospitals and labor and delivery caregivers are prepared to care for you if you are COVID-19 positive and will help inform you about special precautions that are taken about wearing a mask or personal protective equipment.
What if I have COVID-19 and want to nurse my baby?
Current evidence suggests that breast milk is not likely to spread the virus to babies. You and your healthcare provider can help decide whether and how to start or continue breastfeeding. Breast milk provides protection against many illnesses and is the best source of nutrition for most babies.
If you have COVID-19 and choose to breastfeed follow these guidelines:
Wash your hands before breastfeeding
Wear a mask while breastfeeding and whenever you are within six feet of your baby.
If you have COVID-19 and choose to express breast milk
Use your own breast pump, if possible.
Wear a mask during expression.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before touching any pump or bottle parts, and before expressing breast milk.
Follow recommendations for proper pump cleaning after each use. Clean all parts of the pump that come into contact with breast milk.
Consider having a healthy caregiver who does not have COVID-19, is not at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and is living in the same home feed the expressed breast milk to the baby.
Any caregiver feeding the baby should wear a mask when caring for the baby for the entire time you are in isolation and during their own quarantine period after you complete isolation.
How can I keep my newborn baby safe from COVID-19?
Limit visitors to see your new baby
Before allowing or inviting visitors into your home or near your baby, consider the risk of COVID-19 to yourself, your baby, people who live with you, and visitors.
Bringing people who do not live with you into your home can increase the risk of spreading COVID-19. Some people without symptoms can spread the virus.
Limit in-person gatherings and consider other options, like celebrating virtually, for people who want to see your new baby.
If you do plan to have in-person visits, ask guests to stay home if they are sick and ask them to stay six feet away from you and your baby, wear a mask, and wash their hands when visiting your home.
Ask your childcare program about the plans they have in place to protect your baby, family, and their staff from COVID-19.
What are the possible signs and symptoms of COVID-19 infection among babies?
Most babies who test positive for COVID-19 have mild or no symptoms. Severe illness in babies has been reported but appears to be rare. Babies with underlying medical conditions and babies born premature (earlier than 37 weeks) might be at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Reported signs among newborns with COVID-19 include:
fever
lethargy (being overly tired or inactive)
runny nose
cough
vomiting
diarrhea
poor feeding
increased work of breathing or shallow breathing
If your baby develops symptoms or you think your baby may have been exposed to COVID-19, get in touch with your baby’s healthcare provider within 24 hours and follow steps for caring for children with COVID-19.
If your baby has COVID-19 emergency warning signs (such as trouble breathing), seek emergency care immediately. Call 911.
Where can women go for more information about pregnancy and COVID-19?
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
KUTV’s Heidi Hatch hosts former Speaker of the House Greg Hughes and Maura Carabello of the Exoro Group in a new episode of Take 2.
The panel dived into the Utah Legislative Session and the bills that will impact you:
Stalking Bill: A bill proposing changes to Utah’s stalking code was supported by the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee, but victim advocates argue the change would make it harder for victims to get protection.https://kutv.com/news/local/legislator-defends-change-to-utahs-stalking-code-opposed-by-victim-advocates
Concealed Carry Permit restrictions: The bill in the Utah Legislature that would allow adults to carry a concealed firearm in public without a permit has cleared the House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate.
Blow-dry bar licenses: Blow dryers and curling irons are igniting a firestorm of debate on Utah’s Capitol Hill.
Bill to stop people from party swapping:Last summer, nearly 80,000 people registered as Republicans in Utah so they could vote in that party’s primary for governor.
AG Sean Reyes Impeachment hearing: Rep. Andrew Stoddard says an investigation is the only way to get details on Reyes’ post-election efforts on behalf of Trump must happen.
If you’re pregnant, the best thing is to get more information so you can evaluate the risks and benefits of getting or not getting the COVID-19 vaccine. People are worried because we don’t have a lot of experience and data about pregnant women and the type of vaccine being used for the COVID-19 vaccine. Pregnant women want to be careful and might be nervous about the vaccine.
Jade Elliott spoke with Sean Esplin, MD, Sr. Medical Director, Women’s Health, Intermountain Healthcare about the vaccine and what pregnant women should know.
What information can help pregnant women decide if they should get the COVID-19 vaccine?
However, national organizations such as the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine recommend that each person consider their own potential risk factors and discuss them with their OB provider. They agree that in most cases there is no reason for pregnant women to not receive the vaccine.
What factors might influence a pregnant woman’s decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
You’ll want to evaluate your own risk of contracting COVID-19. Talking with your OB provider can help you further evaluate your risk. You are at higher risk if you have lots of contact with people outside your home. For example, if you are a teacher or healthcare worker. You are also at more risk of getting COVID-19 if you are pregnant and over age 35 or are overweight, or have other medical conditions, or smoke or belong to a minority groups. Generally, the vaccine makes sense for women in those groups.
You’ll also want to look at the rate of COVID-19 in your local community. Our positivity rates in Utah are high right now. Most pregnant women in Utah communities should opt to have the vaccine when it’s available.
When people who are pregnant get COVID-19 they have a slightly higher risk of ending up in the ICU and having a severe case COVID-19. It makes sense to protect yourself. The COVID-19 vaccine is a critical part of how we end this pandemic. We want as many people to get the vaccine as they can.
If you’ve had a severe reaction to another vaccine you’ll want to talk about the risks and benefits of the vaccine with your OB provider.
My patients who are pregnant have a wide spectrum of feelings about the vaccine. Some are biased by misinformation they’ve heard about vaccines. For years, we’ve encouraged pregnant women to take other vaccines, such as for the flu, Tdap, etc.
Were pregnant women included in the U.S. COVID-19 vaccine trials?
About 50 pregnant women were included in the U.S. trials for COVID-19 either because they didn’t know they were pregnant or they became pregnant after getting the first dose of the vaccine. Typically, pregnant women are not included in trials because it adds another variable and that can make it more difficult to separate out the results. The pregnant women in the trials didn’t have any unexpected side effects or problems. The vaccine seemed to work as effectively as in non-pregnant women.
Does it matter what trimester of your pregnancy you are in when you get the vaccine?
There is no evidence that women in their first or second trimester are at higher risk if they get the vaccine. It is OK to get pregnant after getting vaccine.
What type of vaccine is the COVID-19 vaccine? And how does it work?
This is an MRNA vaccine. Some other types of vaccines are made with a virus that has been killed. The COVID-19 vaccine contains pieces of MRNA, which is basically a recipe for making a protein. It is a very effective way to do a vaccine. It should be safe in pregnancy. It won’t cross the placenta or change MRNA code. It should protect both mom and baby.
Will pregnant women who get the vaccine be studied?
Future studies of the COVID-19 vaccine will include pregnant women. National registries are keeping track of data on pregnant women. We recommend pregnant women now be included in these trials and they continue to collect data.
What about the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
If you get the vaccine, there will be side effects. That’s normal and expected and it’s a sign the vaccine is working. Side effects include a sore arm, body aches, fever, fatigue, headache. The vaccines currently available are 95 percent effective if you get both doses. The efficacy is much more pronounced after the second dose. Be sure to get the second dose.
If you get the vaccine do you still need to wear a mask and practice social distancing and good hand hygiene?
Yes. Getting the vaccine means you have a lower chance of getting the virus, but you can still get the virus. Getting the vaccine also means if you get the virus, your case is likely to be milder than if you didn’t get the vaccine. So wearing masks and practicing social distancing and good hand hygiene will further reduce your risk of getting COVID-19 and other viruses such as the flu or colds as well.
What are the medical experts recommending for pregnant women?
There are different recommendations from different organizations.
National organizations such as the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine recommend each person consider their own potential risk factors and discuss them with their OB provider. They agree in most cases there is no reason for pregnant women to not receive the vaccine.
However, the World Health Organization recently announced it is not recommending the vaccine for pregnant women unless they are at high risk of exposure to COVID-19, for example if they are a healthcare worker.
However, in response to the WHO recommendation, ACOG and SMFM issued a joint statement yesterday affirming their guidance that both COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the U.S. should not be withheld from pregnant individuals who choose to receive the vaccine.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
Take 2 Host Heidi Hatch welcomes former Utah lawmakers Jim Dabakis (D) and Greg Hughes (R) to talk about recent historical state and national events.
The trio discusses Gov. Spencer Cox’s first State of the State address where he said, “If we want smaller government we need bigger people.” Additional topics haggled over include:
Education funding: Will the legislature agree? “They deserve our respect and they deserve a raise,” Cox said in his Thursday address.
Hatch and the former lawmakers also talked about Pres. Joe Biden’s call for unity following his inauguration.
Biden said Wednesday he plans to review the Trump administration’s downsizing of two sprawling national monuments in the American Southwest, including one on lands considered sacred to Native Americans who joined environmental groups in suing when the boundaries were redrawn in 2017. The land monuments Biden will reassess are the Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments in southern Utah.
Where do Dabakis and Hughes land on Biden’s executive orders? Find out by listening to the podcast here.
Plus, Jim Dabakis says goodbye to a life of politics and social media. This will be his final Take 2 podcast.
By the time your baby is 12 months old, he or she should be able to do a variety of new things such as saying a few simple words and playing games.
Jade Elliott spoke with Carrie Martinez, Utah Department of Health, to discuss the important milestones your child should reach by 12 months old and tools to help parents on this episode of the Baby Your Baby Podcast.
Social and Emotional
Is shy or nervous with strangers
Cries when mom or dad leaves
Has favorite things and people
Shows fear in some situations
Hands you a book when he wants to hear a story
Repeats sounds or actions to get attention
Puts out arm or leg to help with dressing
Plays games such as “peek-a-boo” and “pat-a-cake”
Language/Communication
Responds to simple spoken requests
Uses simple gestures, like shaking head “no” or waving “bye-bye”
Makes sounds with changes in tone (sounds more like speech)
Says “mama” and “dada” and exclamations like “uh-oh!”
Tries to say words you say
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
Explores things in different ways, like shaking, banging, throwing
Finds hidden things easily
Looks at the right picture or thing when it’s named Copies gestures
Starts to use things correctly; for example, drinks from a cup, brushes hair
Bangs two things together
Puts things in a container, takes things out of a container
Lets things go without help
Pokes with index (pointer) finger
Follows simple directions like “pick up the toy
Movement/Physical Development
Gets to a sitting position without help
Pulls up to stand, walks holding on to furniture (“cruising”)
May take a few steps without holding on
May stand alone
What do you do if your baby is not meeting these milestones?
Can parents get their baby on back on track on their own, or is this something they need a professional for?
Most of the time, children get the developmental skills they need when they are given opportunities to practice. Parents play a huge role in their child’s development, and often can help their child right away. For example, if your child’s screening showed a delay in language, you help your child right away, just by practicing this area of development.
However, sometimes your child may need professional intervention. In these situations, it’s best to work with your healthcare or childcare provider to get resources or referrals to professional agencies who are trained to help your child reach their developmental milestone needs.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
Heidi Hatch is back with another rousing political debate featuring Jim Dabakis and Greg Hughes on this week’s Take 2 podcast.
The topic foremost on their mind’s this Friday: Possible weekend protests in utah and across the Country.
Governor Cox declared a state of emergency
Salt Lake City Police and Mayor Erin Mendenhall say no violence will be permitted. Is this a change after 2020 protests?
The Utah National Guard is headed to D.C. for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Next, the Utah Legislative Session goes online amid fears of unrest: How does this change citizen involvement?
In on of his first acts as governor, Spencer Cox proposed a new $21.7 state budget that includes:
$250 million to assist the state’s public health partners, households, businesses and schools affected by the coronavirus
$125 million for an upskilling initiative focused on helping those out of work or needing a better job
$350 million to double-track FrontRunner
$50 million to improve transportation in the Wasatch canyons
$125 million for open space and trails
$125 million for rural infrastructure including expanding broadband access
$112 million for educator bonuses
$80 million tax cut
They also check in on Utah’s vaccine rollout: Are we winning?
Finally, President Donald Trump became the first American president to be impeached twice. Should there be a trial in the Senate? Should there be a second vote not allowing Trump to run again?
By the time your baby is six months old, he or she should be able to do a variety of new things such as rolling over and recognize faces.
Jade Elliott spoke with Carrie Martinez, Utah Department of Health, to discuss the important milestones your child should reach by six months old and tools to help parents on this episode of the Baby Your Baby Podcast.
Social and emotional
Knows familiar faces and begins to know if someone is a stranger
Likes to play with others, especially parents
Responds to other people’s emotions and often seems happy
Likes to look at self in a mirror
Language and communication
Responds to sounds by making sounds
Strings vowels together when babbling (“ah,” “eh,” “oh”) and likes taking turns with parent while making sounds
Responds to own name
Makes sounds to show joy and displeasure
Begins to say consonant sounds (jabbering with “m,” “b”)
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
Looks around at things nearby
Brings things to mouth
Shows curiosity about things and tries to get things that are out of reach
Begins to pass things from one hand to the other
Movement and physical development
Rolls over in both directions (front to back, back to front)
Begins to sit without support
When standing, supports weight on legs and might bounce
Rocks back and forth, sometimes crawling backward before moving forward
What do you do if your baby is not meeting these milestones?
Can parents get their baby on back on track on their own, or is this something they need a professional for?
Most of the time, children get the developmental skills they need when they are given opportunities to practice. Parents play a huge role in their child’s development, and often can help their child right away. For example, if your child’s screening showed a delay in language, you help your child right away, just by practicing this area of development.
However, sometimes your child may need professional intervention. In these situations, it’s best to work with your healthcare or childcare provider to get resources or referrals to professional agencies who are trained to help your child reach their developmental milestone needs.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
Take 2 is back after months away due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A lot has changed and at the same time a lot has remained the same. It’s a new year but the same or similar problems remain.
We are still in the middle of a pandemic and the way forward is different depending on who you talk to.
Social unrest has bubbled up again the people demonstrating, and rioting have changed and the ones sitting home in disgust have swapped places.
We have a new governor, but a familiar face. A smooth transition of power.
On the flip side President Donald Trump today said he will not attend President-elect Biden’s inauguration, the first time a sitting president has forgone the tradition since 1869.
People still only like to hear people who agree with them and believe the same way. With that, a conversation we hope will help you see the other side and find some middle ground.
You may not be thinking about preparing your baby for school when he or she is still in diapers, but the Early Childhood Utah Program at the Utah Department of Health, says that making sure your baby meets developmental milestones helps get your baby ready for success throughout his or her lifetime. The Department of Health recommends a screening tool, called the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, to help parents and caregivers make sure your baby is right on track.
Jade Elliott spoke with Carrie Martinez, Utah Department of Health, to discuss the questionnaire and how it helps parents.
What is the Ages and Stages Questionnaire?
The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (often called the ASQ) is an evidenced-based screening tool parents or caregivers use to make sure your baby is developing all of the skills needed to be on track when he or she starts school. This can let parents know where their child is at developmentally and gives parents important information to help make the best decisions for their child.
The ASQ is made up of 2 different screening tools. Each tool has about 30 questions and takes 20-30 minutes. The first screening tool helps parents understand whether or not their baby meets developmental milestones and the other looks at your baby’s social and emotional development.
The first screening tool looks at the following developmental milestones:
Gross motor
Fine motor
Communication (both expressive and receptive)
Adaptive behaviors
Personal and social development
The second screening tool looks at a child’s social emotional development. Social and emotional screenings look at things that tell you whether your baby is interacting like he or she should in social situations.
The core features of emotional development include:
The ability to identify and understand your own feelings
Accurately read and comprehend others’ emotions
The ability to manage strong emotions and if you’re able t express them in a constructive way
Regulating (or controlling) your own behavior
Developing empathy for others
Establishing and maintaining relationships
What are Developmental milestones?
Developmental milestones are foundational skills your baby needs in order to do other things later in life. For example, your baby has to be able to master certain movements before he or she can walk. The American Association of Pediatrics has screening recommendations and developmental milestones for children up to 6 years old. These recommendations let parents know when their child should get screened and skills he or she should have at each age.
They recommend screening at:
6, 12, 18 and 25 months (2 years)
And then at and then 3, 4, and 5 years old
How often can parents use the screening tool?
Parents can screen on a regular basis with their child, any time from one month to 6 years. You can do the screening more than once because children develop at such a rapid rate.
Parents also have different needs at different stages of a child’s development. For example, you may be very comfortable and at ease about parenting your new infant but may need additional information when your child becomes a toddler and wants more independence.
Why would a parent want to use the ASQ screening tool?
You know your baby best.
Early Childhood Utah, healthcare providers, teachers, and ASQ recognize that you as a parent are the true expert on your child’s development. ASQ’s parent-completed screening tool uses the in-depth knowledge that families provide.
It’s family friendly.
Parents love being active partners in screening. The tool is easy to use and the fun learning activities are the perfect way for families to help children make developmental progress.
It is important to trust your parental instincts and to advocate for your child. If you have concerns about your child’s development, you can check with your Local Health Department, WIC offices, Early Intervention agency, Home Visiting Program, Local Medical Provider, Early Childhood Educator and Utah Department of Health.
If you feel like you need assistance, ask one of these providers for a referral.
Caregivers, teachers, and pediatricians also love using the screening tool. It validates parental involvement and knowledge of their child. This helps to strengthen the home to school or pediatrician relationship.
Where can I get an ASQ screening done for my child?
You can reach out to your caregiver, pediatrician, teacher, or Early Childhood Utah to help you find a resource or program in your area that uses the Ages and Stages Questionnaire.
Utah has many resources for parents who may have concerns about their child’s development:
Your local health department and WIC offices
Early Intervention agency
Home visiting program
Your pediatrician, doctor, or a local medical provider
An early childhood educator
The Utah Department of Health.
Anyone who is in early care and education, medical, or is a healthcare provider can get ASQ training for FREE:
If you are a child care provider, early care and education teacher, or a medical or health professional and are interested in using the screening tool within your program, please reach out to Carrie Martinez at the Utah Department of Health carriemartinez@utah.gov , or visit the Early Childhood Utah websitehttps://earlychildhoodutah.utah.gov/ for more information.
For more information about important developmental milestones, visit CDC’s website.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
