Posted on 11/23/2020 12:27:55 PM PST by lightman
Saying Pennsylvania is in a “precarious place” with the coronavirus, Gov. Tom Wolf is advising residents to stay home whenever possible and moving forward with other measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Wolf and Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine announced new measures in a news conference Monday. Under the new measures that were described as “targeted” steps, indoor events are limited to 500 people and outdoor gatherings are capped at 2,500, Levine said.
In addition, schools in most Pennsylvania counties will have to file a certification form with the state if they want to continue to provide in-person instruction. In those counties, the Wolf administration is recommending schools go to remote learning but schools can make that decision, Levine said.
The Wolf administration said it’s requiring residents to work remotely unless it’s impossible. Restaurants, retailers, gyms, salons and barbershops can remain open, albeit with reduced capacity. Businesses will receive immunity from civil liability tied to the state’s order to wear masks.
The governor and health secretary stressed the state was not issuing a stay-at-home order. But Wolf said residents are advised to stay home as much as they can and to refrain from traveling during the holidays.
“We all need to commit to wearing a mask and staying home wherever possible,” Wolf said.
Schools in counties with heavy caseloads are going to need state certification if they want to offer in-person instruction, Levine said.
Across Pennsylvania, 59 of the state’s 67 counties have now had substantial spread of the virus for at least two weeks, and the state is recommending schools in those counties shift to remote instruction. Levine said that guidance has been consistent with benchmarks established earlier this year.
While schools won’t be forced to go to online learning, Levine said schools in those counties with substantial spread will now have to provide an “attestation form” outlining the safety measures they are taking. Schools can maintain local control if they follow those steps, but Levine said the state would be looking to ensure schools are following appropriate steps if they wish to continue to provide face-to-face instruction.
“We have very good knowledge of what’s going on in the school districts,” Levine said. “We’ll be observing.”
Schools that choose not to get state certification must move to remote instruction and put a halt to extracurricular activities.
Many schools across central Pennsylvania and other areas of the state have shifted to online instruction at least until the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
In addition, Levine said the state was cutting off alcohol sales at 5 p.m. for one day only - Wednesday, Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving. That’s historically a big day of business for restaurants and bars.
Wolf said the steps are designed to protect doctors and nurses and the capacity of the health care system. But Wolf also said the measures are targeted to protect the state’s “fragile” economy.
Levine said Monday some projections show the state’s intensive care unit beds could be filled within a week if cases continue to spike.
Across Pennsylvania, 63 of the state’s 67 counties have “substantial” spread of the coronavirus, according to the Wolf administration. The state’s rate of positive tests for COVID-19 continues to rise. The state’s positive test rate jumped to 11.1%, up from 9.6% last week, according to Wolf’s office.
More coronavirus patients are in hospitals than at any time since the pandemic began. There are now 3,459 coronavirus patients in hospitals, according to the health department. For perspective, about 450 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized in late September.
“We are in the middle of an upsurge,” Wolf said Monday.
More than 300,000 people in Pennsylvania have contracted the coronavirus and about 9,800 deaths have been tied to COVID-19, according to the health department.
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Thanksgiving is just practice for what they will do for Christmas.
The intent of these communists is to destroy all things American. They would wear their right shoe in their left foot just to prove they are different.
Ignore.
Just like certain Latin American dictators of the 20th century fancied a permanent state of siege, Democrats fancy a permanent health crisis.
When they can no longer milk the covid thing, it will be something else. We have already heard it mooted that racism is a public health crisis.
For the Plannedemic Puritans life itself is a public health crisis.
The only way to stop this without force is by non-compliance, Do not allow admittance to anyone -- anyone -- who is not invited to your event or venue who doesn't have a valid warrant signed by a judge.
If this fails to stem the tyranny then there remain only two basic options: silent acquiescence/subservience (i.e., cowardice) or forceful action. Our Liberty and our Constitution (both of which the federal government has remained mute; perhaps disinterested or even afraid) are at stake here.
DEFIANCE, not compliance!
Which law passed by the PA legislature is that again? Or is the emergency declaration all encompassing. Does it carry the weight of law? Penalties? Fines, jail time?
Bars and restaurants with a liquor license face enforcement by the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Enforcement resulting in possible license suspension or revocation.
Since a liquor license costs well over half a million no one wants to take that chance.
Yeah, I know the drill. Same everywhere. And guess who’s cousin will get the license that used to be yours?!
Kinda like a NYC taxi medallions, huh?
Wonder if the PSP is patriotic enough to say to Tom and Dickless, “It’s your order, YOU enforce it!”
Protect? How F'n rich. It is to stop people from communicating about election fraud. It will further destroy the economy.
Rise up Patriots. Make these bastards swing.
Right on, FRiend.
Here in Colorado, in several counties authorities have prohibited “private gatherings” with anyone outside your own household. Serious. Noone in my household is observing it. Guests come and go. I go to my gf’s a few times a week. We will have Thanksgiving together. I don’t know who is observing it, really.
But I wonder what would have to happen to have these restrictions struck down because they are unconstitutional? If I got ticketed or arrested for engaging in a “private gathering,” could I argue in Court that the restriction is unconstitutional? How would that even work?
First Amendment freedom of assembly...there are plenty of pro-Constitution probono lawyers out there...Rutherford Institute, heck, even the ACLU.
After seeing the corrupt state judges ruling against any investigation into the massive voter fraud, I wouldn't want ANY judge to rule on ANYTHING associated with my future.
Transgendered sectary of Health
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