On May 11, Gov. Tom Wolf reminded Pennsylvanians that the state’s actions to stop the spread of COVID-19 are working and that we must stay the course and follow the law or there will be negative consequences.
Click Here for a copy of the Governor's remarks.
New Poll Shows 72% Support For Wolf’s Handling Of Pandemic, Like Previous Polls [Taken April 27-May 4]
Click Here for a copy of the Governor's remarks.
New Poll Shows 72% Support For Wolf’s Handling Of Pandemic, Like Previous Polls [Taken April 27-May 4]
“Pennsylvanians are fighting for our lives,” Gov. Wolf said. “We have fought this deadly virus in the best way we can, and sacrificed in ways we could never have imagined. It has been a new kind of heroism – in many ways a quiet heroism. These heroic acts deserve to be met not by surrendering, but by staying the course.”
The governor reiterated that reopening too soon can cause COVID-19 to spread, for cases and deaths to spike and for closures to be reinstated perhaps for much longer.
Reopening decisions are based on the advice of scientists, medical professionals, and the state’s epidemiologists.
Factors that inform decisions include case counts, modeling, geographic location, contact tracing and testing capabilities for individual counties, regions, and the state.
Each county is considered individually before deciding on placement into the red, yellow or green phases. Yellow counties have a lower risk of virus spread. Red counties have a higher risk of virus spread.
“I cannot allow residents in a red county to get sick because their local officials can’t see the invisible risk of the virus in their community,” Gov. Wolf said. “So, I must, and I will impose consequences if a county locally lifts restrictions when it has not yet been given the go-ahead by the state.”
The governor outlined the following consequences to counties that do not abide by the law to remain closed:
-- Counties will not be eligible for federal stimulus discretionary funds the state receives and intends to provide to counties with populations of fewer than 500,000.
-- Businesses in counties that do not abide by the law will no longer be eligible for business liability insurance and the protections it provides. The Pennsylvania Department of Insurance released details of this earlier today.
-- Restaurants that reopen for dine-in service in counties that have not been authorized to reopen will be at risk of losing their liquor license.
-- County residents receiving unemployment compensation will be able to continue to receive benefits even if their employer reopens. Employees may choose not to return out of concern for personal safety and safety of co-workers.
“This is not a time to give up,” Wolf said. “This is a time to rededicate ourselves to the task of beating this virus. I intend to keep fighting, and I believe that the overwhelming majority of my fellow Pennsylvanians intend to keep fighting it too. With that unity, I know we can win.”
Reaction
Senate Republican leaders President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) and Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-Centre) issued the following statement on Gov. Wolf's COVID-19 remarks Monday:
“You can only govern to the willingness of the people to be governed. Governor Wolf has lost that.
“Pennsylvania residents have done an outstanding job of rising to the cause of reducing community spread and flattening the curve. Instead of threating local officials and communities, the Governor should listen to the outcry in response to his dogma.
“Local elected officials are the ones hearing from their neighbors and communities instead of sitting in Harrisburg or on Mount Wolf. Instead of name calling, he needs to follow our lead and engage with local elected officials who are the best measure when it comes to knowing if their communities can return to their livelihoods in a safe way.
“The Senate will move ahead this week with legislation that puts the power to open communities and employers into the hands of local decision-makers who know their area best. Our approach will allow counties - in consultation with local emergency and health officials - to make the best decisions for their communities. This includes allowing employers to reopen if they adhere to Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Pennsylvania Department of Health safety requirements.
“This legislation is not only the right approach, but is the best approach for the public health emergency with which we are dealing.”
House Republican leaders issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s comments on reopening efforts across Pennsylvania:
“Name calling is beneath the dignity of the office of the governor.
“Millions of Pennsylvanians are unemployed, millions more have children who are not being adequately educated, and many others are watching their livelihoods fall apart while they have waited weeks for a failed unemployment compensation system to help. Our residents have been trying desperately to get the governor’s attention; however, he has not been listening.
“It is never wrong to lift the voices of concerned constituents. In fact, it is the duty of every elected official to do so. That is not cowardice; it is patriotism.
“The governor often touts jobs that pay, schools that teach and government that works. Well today, Pennsylvanians are hurting, and the governor is not delivering on any of those promises.”
House Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny) issued this statement on Gov. Wolf's remarks on COVID-19 recovery efforts--
“The governor is doing everything he must to lead us in this war against a deadly enemy. Pennsylvanians have made untold sacrifices and ending the fight now would betray all those efforts and weaken our defenses.
“It’s beyond reckless to assume that areas of our state are in the clear without any evidence to prove that. The enemy waits silently for the next chance to attack. Rash decisions made against the weight of medical advice will open the door for even more tragedy. That must not happen.
“For everyone’s health and for thousands of lives that are at stake, we must keep doing what we can already see is working. We are winning this long fight, step by step. I applaud the governor’s courage and know that with his continuing strong leadership, we will carry on to victory.”
For the latest information on the coronavirus and precautions to take in Pennsylvania, visit the Department of Health’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage, Follow them on Twitter, or Like them on Facebook.
Reporting Business Noncompliance:
NewsClips/Announcements:
Spotlight PA: Gov. Wolf Denounces PA Counties Reopening Without His Approval As ‘Cowardly,’ ‘Selfish”
Ford Turner: Gov. Wolf Says Those Urging Counties To Reopen Outside Of His Schedule Are ‘Acting In A Most Cowardly Way’
Helpful Links:
Responding To COVID-19 In Pennsylvania - General Resource Page All Topics
Attorney General - Coronavirus Price Gouging Updates
Related Article:
[Posted: May 11, 2020]
No comments:
Post a Comment