BY: TODD BARTLEY, NEWS TALK WMPT, NEWS@TALKWILLIAMSPORT.COM
On Friday, News Talk WMPT was able to ask Governor Wolf about his participation in a protest march on Wednesday in conflict of orders he and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine issued regarding Yellow Phase large gatherings.
Governor Wolf answered in part, “That wasn’t consistent. I acknowledge that. But I was trying to support a cause, the eradication of racism that is very, very important and I was trying to show support for that effort.”
As a follow-up, Wolf was asked by News Talk WMPT if he would be submitting to a COVID-19 test and taking self quarantine measures, Wolf responded, “I haven’t decided at this point,” Wolf replied. “I’m being extra cautious as a result. I recognize I took a real gamble there, but I thought the risk was worth it for that cause.”
The story of Governor Wolf participating in a protest march on Wednesday broke as a briefing was set to get underway at the PEMA building with Secretary Levine.
As reporters were preparing to enter the PEMA building social media posts showing the Governor in the march while wearing a mask and not social distancing began to appear.
Here is the real-time exchange provided by Dr. Levine on Wednesday to News Talk WMPT;
QUESTION: Secretary, Dauphin County just moved to yellow on May 29th which means no large gatherings and apparently there is a march going on that has more than 200 people in it today in Dauphin County. Can you clarify the administration’s position on May 11th business owners were called cowards for wanting to reopen their businesses and today the Governor is actually marching in that, (HM) is that not in violation of your order and his order for large gatherings?
Secretary Levine responded; “Well, so we have and the Governor has always said that people have the right to protest and to demonstrate and the the right of free speech.
And so overall, we want, large gatherings such as, such as maybe a party or some type of concert or something to be under 250 people.
But we are not restricting people’s right to protest there are obviously significant social issues that are present that people feel that they need to have a voice and the Governor is always supportive of that and is participating in.”
Much is being made of the attribution of Governor Wolf using the word “cowards” in relation to the ReOpen PA protesters who amassed in front of the Capitol steps in May to express this displeasure with having to remain closed due to the business closure and stay-at-home orders.
In early May, Governor Wolf issued a strong warning to elected officials and those businesses who chose to open ahead of his changing of Red, Yellow and Green phase orders.
News Talk WMPT covered the event on May 11, 2020 when Wolf made his speech; BREAKING NEWS: Gov. Wolf speechless in response to News Talk 104.1 question on USSC case, (video link).
Remarks delivered by Governor Wolf on May 11 are included in part below.
“These heroic acts deserve to be met not by surrendering, but by staying the course. And that’s what I intend to do.
To those politicians who decide to cave in to this coronavirus, they need to understand the consequences of their cowardly act.
The funding we have put aside to help with fighting this crisis will go to the folks who are doing their part. That includes our CARES Act funding, which will be used to support counties that are following the orders to prevent the spread, and the medical communities who are treating patients. However, other discretionary funding won’t go to counties that put us all at risk by operating illegally.
To the politicians urging businesses to risk the lives of their customers or their employees by opening prematurely: they need to understand that they are engaging in behavior that is both selfish and unsafe.
As News Talk WMPT reported that same day, Congressman Keller blasts Gov. Wolf’s threat to withhold funding and protections from PA counties and businesses. Keller led his response with “Trying to feed your family is not ‘cowardly.”
Keller went onto say: “The vast majority of Pennsylvanians rely on their jobs to put food on the table and pay their bills. Because of Gov. Wolf’s prolonged shutdown order, nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians, or 26 percent of our state’s workforce, are unemployed, and overdose and suicide deaths are rising. Pennsylvanians have shown they can safely shop and work in mega-retailers while the Governor unilaterally keeps small businesses closed and is now threatening them if they re-open. Despite what Gov. Wolf believes, Pennsylvania’s small business owners and workers are smart enough to operate safely and feed their families.”
Governor Wolf in his prepared remarks did not call business owners “cowards”.
Instead, he stated the following:
“To business owners: These politicians put you at risk of losing your health department certificate. They put you business owners at risk of losing your liquor license. They put you business owners at risk of losing your certificate of occupancy. All of these depend upon your doing everything you can to keep your patrons safe. And by opening before the evidence suggests you should, you are taking undue risks with the safety of your customers.
That is not only morally wrong. It’s also very bad business.
Businesses that do follow the whims of local politicians and ignore the law and the welfare of their customers will probably find themselves uninsured. Because, insurance does not cover things that happen to businesses breaking the law.”
Both the Wednesday response by Dr. Levine and the Friday response by Governor Wolf have drawn statewide and national media coverage as numerous counties in Pennsylvania remain in Yellow Phase and nearly half the state has moved into the Green Phase of reopening.
News Talk WMPT will be participating in the press conference on Monday with Secretary Levine and it is anticipated Governor Wolf will again be in attendance.
