LISTENED IN ON THEIR TESTIMONY.>> LOCALS AREN’T MAKING THOSE DECISIONS. BARBARA: THE DEBATE OVER WHO’S BEST QUALIFIED TO REOPEN COUNTIES REACHED THE STATE CAPITOL. SENATORS QUESTIONED FRUSTRATED COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABOUT THE STATE’S DECISION TO KEEP THEM IN THE RED.>> WE IN DAUPHIN COUNTY ACTUALLY FEEL WE ARE READY TO GO YELLOW, EVEN THOUGH WE DON’T MEET THE CRITERIA OF CASES.>> WE KNOW HOW TO GET THINGS DONE, BUT WAITING TO HEAR FROM HIGHER LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT WHILE OUR RESIDENTS SIT AT HOME, BATTLE DEPRESSION OVER PAYING THEIR BILLS. BARBARA: AS THE ECONOMIC TOLL MOUNTS, THE WOLF ADMINISTRATION IS CONCERNED REOPENING TOO SOON COULD JEOPARDIZE RESIDENTS’ HEALTH.>> THIS HAS BEEN A WAKEUP CALL. BARBARA: DOCTOR STEVEN SHAPIRO OF UPMC TESTIFIED ABOUT HOW THE STATE MOVES FORWARD.>> ONE THING IS CERTAIN, PANDEMICS WILL BE PART OF OUR FUTURE AND WE MUST BE BETTER PREPARED. WE CANNOT BE PUT IN EIGHT POSITION TO CHOOSE BETWEEN DEATH BY PATHOGENS OR DEATH BY ECONOMIC SHUTDOWN. BARBARA: COUNTY LEADERS SAY THEY WOULD LIKE MORE INPUT INTO THEIR FUTURE.>> EVERY
Pennsylvania Senate committees hear from county officials frustrated about continued shutdown
WGAL News 8 coronavirus coverage
Two state Senate committees heard from doctors and county commissioners during a hearing Wednesday about what is needed to reopen Pennsylvania and protect the health of residents.County leaders expressed frustration at the state’s decision to keep them in the red phase of reopening and said they would like more input into their future. “We in Dauphin County actually feel that we are ready to go yellow, even though we don’t meet the criteria of cases,” said Dauphin County Commissioner Jeff Haste.”We know how to get things done, but sitting and waiting to hear from higher levels of government while our residents sit at home, battle depression, struggle with paying their bills,” said Snyder County Commissioner Joseph Kantz.As the economic toll mounts, the Wolf administration is concerned reopening too soon could jeopardize Pennsylvanians’ health.Doctors with UPMC advised preparedness in protecting at-risk residents and heavily populated areas will be key in a successful reopening. “One thing is certain. Pandemics will be part of our future, and we must be better prepared. We can’t be put in a position to have to choose between death by pathogen or death by economic shutdown,” said Dr. Steven Shapiro.
HARRISBURG, Pa. —
Two state Senate committees heard from doctors and county commissioners during a hearing Wednesday about what is needed to reopen Pennsylvania and protect the health of residents.
County leaders expressed frustration at the state’s decision to keep them in the red phase of reopening and said they would like more input into their future.
“We in Dauphin County actually feel that we are ready to go yellow, even though we don’t meet the criteria of cases,” said Dauphin County Commissioner Jeff Haste.
“We know how to get things done, but [we’re] sitting and waiting to hear from higher levels of government while our residents sit at home, battle depression, struggle with paying their bills,” said Snyder County Commissioner Joseph Kantz.
As the economic toll mounts, the Wolf administration is concerned reopening too soon could jeopardize Pennsylvanians’ health.
Doctors with UPMC advised preparedness in protecting at-risk residents and heavily populated areas will be key in a successful reopening.
“One thing is certain. Pandemics will be part of our future, and we must be better prepared. We can’t be put in a position to have to choose between death by pathogen or death by economic shutdown,” said Dr. Steven Shapiro.
