PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Every day during this pandemic is marked by the release of the latest number of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
For Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, it’s his first thought every morning.
‘It’s such an important factor in how we can function as a community. That I know if these numbers continue to rise as they did in late June early July, we need to shut things down. We need to hinder the activities of people. . That the lower we keep these numbers as we have in May and June means we can open up more of our economy and children can go about school activities coming up and playing sports. “
Each area school district is required to make decisions about how to bring students back to education.
Fitzgerald fears that reuniting may result in an increase in numbers, but he adds, “If the children and teachers and staff all wear masks and keep physical distance, and follow the protocol that the neighborhood and buildings for people “I’m sure we can do this safely,” said Fitzgerald.
‘I’m sure we will see Dr Bogen and her team follow this very closely, case investigations, contact tracing, and if there is an outbreak in a building or in a particular school district, I’m sure she will want to go out and go in. and take action with it, instead of shutting down the whole system there is only one hot spot in one area. “
John Shumway of KDKA reports:
Fitzgerald says the problem of people meeting is moving from the bars restaurants and social halls to people’s homes. “We had people with graduation parties or had a birthday or anniversary, what are you going to do now with extended family and who knows where they have been.”
As for the cry from the restaurant industry: “We need to bring more and dine outside, because the one activity I know they like to see is inherently risky.”
Asked if he could predict restaurants to expand the number of people where the County Executive sits, he says:
“It will be challenging and the reason is that it is an activity that is inherently risky and inherently potential for proliferation. Number one that you are in, number two that you are close to, and number three that do not have a mask. While eating, do not wear your mask. And you ‘eat, you drink, you talk, you spit, it’s a harsh environment.’
While the restaurant owners will be going to Harrisburg to try to get the state to lift restrictions, Fitzgerald says he will follow the lead of health department director Dr. Debra Bogen.
Dr Bogen has imposed restrictions on the restaurants for the state and he says they will make a decision on the state leadership to follow or stay stricter when the time comes.
The numbers of new cases have settled into a reporting pattern of army over the weekend and climbing at the beginning of the week. Fitzgerald says, “We would like to see the numbers continue to fall, but what I think we have seen is a higher level of collaboration. I think people are taking it more seriously. Again, the challenge will be as the schools open and all these children come to school, the student staff work together to keep those numbers low. “
Fitzgerald is concerned about the mental health of the community, ‘Absolutely. Because this is something that not only affects every individual, but every activity we do, school, work after church. Marriages with family reunions can continue. ”
And there is no end in sight, ‘until we have a fax, we will continue to live with this uncertainty. “
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