Posted on 12/10/2020 1:38:08 PM PST by lightman
Gov. Tom Wolf announced new steps Thursday to combat the surge in coronavirus cases, including measures to prohibit indoor dining in restaurants, the closure of casinos and theaters and a temporary halt to scholastic sports.
In a news conference, Wolf said he is imposing other limits on all businesses serving the public, capping retailers, barber shops and salons and other businesses to 50% of indoor occupancy limits. Gyms and fitness centers can offer outdoor classes but cannot offer indoor operations.
Indoor gatherings are limited to 10 people, the governor’s office said, but churches and other houses of worship are exempt from those restrictions. Wolf has urged faith leaders to exercise care in holding services.
Restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries can remain open to offer outdoor dining, carryout and delivery services. Extracurricular activities at K-12 schools are suspended. Pro and college sports will not be affected.
The measures are slated to take effect Saturday, Dec. 12 and are expected to last until Jan. 4.
“We need to slow the spread right now to save lives,” Wolf said.
The governor announced the steps as COVID-19 cases have soared in the commonwealth. Wolf said Wednesday he has tested positive for the coronavirus; he spoke via video from his home.
Wolf said he understood restaurants are facing an extraordinarily difficult time but the new measures are needed to slow the spread of the virus.
Cases have surged in recent weeks and hospitalizations have risen sharply, according to the state Department of Health and local health care officials. The state has reported more than 10,000 new daily coronavirus cases five times in the past week, including nearly 12,000 new cases Thursday. More deaths have been reported in recent days.
Across Pennsylvania, 5,852 COVID-19 patients are being treated in hospitals, with nearly 1,200 in intensive care units. In late September, less than 500 people required hospitalization. Some area health care systems have said they are concerned about maintaining enough staffing if cases and hospitalizations keep climbing.
Last month, Wolf expanded the state’s mask order and has called for residents to wear face coverings whenever leaving the home. Wolf has also advised residents to stay home as much as possible and to refrain from traveling, including during the holidays. Wolf and health officials have also advised against holding large holiday gatherings in homes.
Some business owners, particularly in the restaurant and hospitality industry, have been dreading the prospect of additional restrictions, particularly during the holiday season. Even as restaurants can remain open to offer takeout and delivery, some said they may consider closing if they can’t offer indoor dining. Retailers also typically count on holiday sales to offer a boost to their bottom line.
Republican lawmakers, who control the General Assembly, have pushed back on some of the Democratic governor’s aggressive measures in the past. In anticipation of Wolf announcing new steps, House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre, urged Wolf, “Do not cancel Christmas.”
“I recognize we are facing a serious resurgence of COVID-19 and our health care systems are struggling to keep up with the increased demand; however, job-crushing, harmful government mandates are not the answer,” Benninghoff said.
Wolf said the temporary measures, while painful, can make a difference and urged Pennsylvanians to be united over the next few weeks to slow the spread of the coronavirus and to help hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.
Since the pandemic began, more than 450,000 people in Pennsylvania have contracted the coronavirus and more than 12,000 have died. Roughly two-thirds of those deaths have occurred in long-term care facilities.
Dr. Jaewon Ryu, president and chief medical officer of Geisinger, said in the news conference his health system has scaled back some services and procedures as cases have spiked. He said the coronavirus “truly is out in the community.”
“The rate of climb gives us tremendous pause,” Ryu said.
That affects me.
The US has become a terrible country. I do not know this place I was born anymore. I am unhappy and so are millions of people who have had enough of this awful country Democrats have created.
No wonder young folks are committing suicide.
Come arrest me jackass. You cannot restrict my right to assemble.
The newly unemployed forced to work at minimum wage Amazon fulfillment centers, Walmart, grocery stores or fast-food to service.
Scary part is and strangely enough, many Freepers don’t have a problem with this giant income loss for millions of people. I fail to see way.
The message had to be sent in a state where the Republicans run the show, Idaho. A mask mandate vote led to a faceoff with the people using American flags, Trump flags etc. etc.
https://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3913600/posts
lets face it as a general rule, we are not a healthy population...I’m not....we have people living so long when even a decade ago, they would have died....so our elderly population is huge and growing....
Look at Ronald Reagan. He lived with Alzheimer’s for ten years.
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