[email protected]
BRADFORD COUNTY — The question to wear a mask or not has been a topic of discussion throughout Bradford County, and the state of Pennsylvania.
Gov. Tom Wolf announced a couple weeks ago that all Pennsylvania residents must wear a mask when they are not able to social distance when out in a public space.
Local officials are leaving the answer of whether or not to wear a mask up to local businesses.
“It is the policy of the District Attorney’s Office that no criminal citations will be prosecuted or enforced for people not wearing masks. An order from the Secretary of Health is not a ‘law’ that falls under the jurisdiction of the Crimes Code and will not be enforced as such,” states Bradford County District Attorney Chad Salsman.
“Citizens should be aware, however, that private businesses have the authority to deny service to people not wearing masks and may order people to leave private property. If a citizen refuses to leave a private business after being ordered to do so by the business, a citation for trespass may be issued. My office would review those citations on a case-by-case basis. Businesses, of course, remain subject to potential civil consequences by the governor’s administration if they choose to ignore the order of the Secretary of Health.”
The Canton Independent Sentinel asked its Facebook readers whether or not they wear a mask and why.
Linda Matson Thomas replied yes to the poll, stating “To protect others from me and I would hope others would wear one to protect me from them!”
“I have medical reasons not to wear....but beyond that I believe they destroy our bodies natural immune system and endanger us for lung infections and pleurisy. I also think our initial action of slowing down the spread was needed, given the false information we had at the time on the morbidity,” said reader Paige Marie. “But now... the known morbidity rate and preparedness of hospital for at risk individuals makes this nothing more than a flu event. Our odds of dying are less than that of dying in a car accident. We need to be fluid with the information as we learn more.
According to Pennsylvania Department of Health, statistics show that 77% of individuals diagnosed with COVD-19 recovered successfully.
So far, there have been 835,732 negative tests to the virus, and 95,742 positives throughout Pennsylvania. The positive numbers include both confirmed and probable cases. Negative case data only includes negative PCR tests. Negative case data does not include negative antibody tests.
Bradford County has reported 59 overall cases, according to the DOH, with 52 confirmed and 7 probable.
Bradford has also had three total deaths, with a counted population of 60,833 people, which makes it 4.9 rate 2.
As of July 3, all counties are in the green phase of reopening, however, there is still social restricting.
The social restricting includes:
• Large Gatherings of More Than 250 Prohibited
• Masks Are Required in all Public Spaces
• Restaurants and Bars Open at 50% Occupancy
• Personal Care Services (including hair salons and barbershops) Open at 50% Occupancy and by Appointment Only
• Indoor Recreation, Health and Wellness Facilities, and Personal Care Services (such as gyms and spas) Open at 50% Occupancy with Appointments Strongly Encouraged
• All Entertainment (such as casinos, theaters, and shopping malls) Open at 50% Occupancy
• Construction Activity May Return to Full Capacity with Continued Implementation of Protocols
According to the DOH’s website, Bradford County has two official testing sites for COVID, at Guthrie in Towanda and Walmart in Sayre.
The issue of opening Pennsylvania businesses back up has also been a hot topic.
Earlier in the month, State Representatives and Senators attempted to end Gov. Wolf’s COVID-19 Emergency Declaration, which failed when the PA Supreme Court ruled in favor of Gov. Wolf.
“It is time for our Commonwealth to move forward. Our business owners and workers are creative and innovative problem solvers. They are ready to reopen in a safe and responsible way,” said Rep. Clint Owlett in a press release.
“In recent days, my office was contacted by a man who is down to the last $24 in his bank account; an area company announced it is taking its business to another state, leaving 200 employees’ futures in question; and I’ve learned one of my favorite restaurants will not be reopening. These are just a few examples of the heart-wrenching stories I have heard over the last three months.”
Along with wearing a mask when around others, the DOH also suggest washing your hands, avoid touching your face, and to clean surfaces.
For more information on COVID-19, go to https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx.
Editor’s note: All data was recorded and up to date for press time.