Public Masking Continues in Green Phase

Anna Shvets

As restaurants, gyms, businesses, begin to welcome residents back, Gov. Tom Wolf reminds the public how vital it is to continue wearing masks covering the nose and mouth to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. In fact, masks will continue to be required when entering any business in all counties in both Yellow and Green Phases of reopening as stated in Secretary of Health Rachel's Levine's public health order.  

"Pennsylvania has emerged as a leader among states for reduced cases amid increased reopening and we want that to continue to keep people safe and healthy while returning to many of the activities we enjoyed before COVID," Wolf noted in a Tuesday press release. 

A recent Institute of Physics study scientifically proved the use of simple medical masks or improvised facial coverings reduces community exposures from asymptomatic, but unknowingly infectious, individuals. 

Researchers concluded that "wearing some form of exhaled barrier out in public during pathogen outbreaks is an altruistic act serving not only as a form of enhanced cough or sneeze etiquette but also to reduce the aerosols emitted from normal breathing or when talking. Without daily testing, nobody can be certain that they are not an asymptotic disease vector." 
 
Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper also reminded residents to remain vigilant by wearing masks during her weekly update on June 19. She emphasized that stopping the spread of COVID-19 is a community effort as "going to green does not mean the COVID-19 pandemic is over."  

"We all need to be wearing our masks when we go out," Dahlkemper said. "We need to make sure that this mask is just part of our regular, daily activity of putting it on and that we wear our masks into any business but even if we're out socially with friends. Keep that six-foot distance. Wear your mask. Enjoy being with them again but protect yourself. Protect your friends." 

Wolf also mentioned making mask-wearing part of our everyday routine.  

"When you leave the house, grab your keys, your wallet, and your mask," Wolf said. "Mask-wearing has proven to be an important deterrent to the spread of the virus and keeping Pennsylvanians safe and healthy is the goal as we reopen and continue our mitigation efforts."