State Representative Garth Everett just posted the following message on social media in regard to the upcoming press conference with Governor Wolf and Secretary Levine at 7 p.m.
Friends,
Today DOH reported 1,296 new cases of COVID-19 in PA. That means that PA has been below its reported peak for thirteen days. By Federal guidance, it also means that tomorrow, barring any unforeseen developments, we will qualify for Phase 1 of loosening up our economy in PA.
I just received notification from the Governor’s Office “that tonight at 7pm, the Governor will be speaking and providing more details about his approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, and specifically to the process for a phased reopening of the commonwealth in the coming weeks and months.
You can view the Governor’s remarks at 7pm tonight at either www.governor.pa.gov/live or at www.facebook.com/governorwolf.” I understand it will also be on PCN.
News Talk 104.1 is carrying the event live on radio and online at talkwilliamsport.com
I am hoping we are going to hear a proactive plan for opening up the economy in PA.
All we hear in PA from the Governor’s Office and those who oppose putting PA back to work is that we have to follow the “science and the facts.” Well, the science and facts say that we have succeeded in “flattening the curve” in PA and that now it is time to safely get PA back to work before we permanently flatten the economy of PA, bankrupt small business and put people out of work for good.
As of Monday, it had been 45 days since the first confirmed cases in PA. In the first month, we saw a steep rise in cases – particularly in the time period from 3/25 to 4/9. However, since the peak on 4/9, we have seen new cases per day decrease and remain steady.
What is even more striking about the cases in the first 45 days is that as of Monday, 78% of the cases in PA came from only 10 counties whereas there are 28 counties with 45 or less cases together amounting to 1.3% of the total cases. Many of those counties have less than 10 total cases. To look at it another way, the increase in cases reported for just today in the top 10 counties exceeds the total cases reported for the bottom 28 counties. That is right, the new cases today in the top 10 exceeds the total cases of the bottom 28 since 3/6.
So, applying the science and facts, it is apparent that we have flattened the curve, that we have “hot” areas of the State that need to continue to be “locked down” and that in much of the rest of the State where we can definitely “loosen things up” and put people back to work.
To be clear, I am not proposing a return to business as usual or as it was. We still do not want folks together in large crowds. However, we can allow many businesses to be open so long as they conform to CDC guidelines.
I certainly hope that is what we are going to hear from the Governor tonight.
Below are DOH’s numbers for today. Continue to stay safe and thank those in essential jobs out there working on our behalf.
-Garth
Stay tuned to News talk 104.1 & 1600 WEJS and talkwilliamsport.com for developments on this story.
