‘We must remain vigilant.’ Centre County commissioners to discuss push for continued mask use
For months, Centre County has worked to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, but a decline in new case numbers and steady reopening of businesses does not mean the pandemic has ended.
On Tuesday, the board of commissioners is set to discuss a resolution to support the continued wearing of masks to “save lives and bring back jobs,” Commissioner Michael Pipe said in a social media post. If adopted, the board will send a copy of the proposal to all 35 Centre County municipalities — encouraging each to pass similar resolutions or, if permitted, ordinances.
“As we’ve gone through this pandemic, our community has followed the science and the advice of experts on how best to survive this pandemic,” Pipe said. “But we must remain vigilant.”
Earlier this month, Pennsylvania was one of only three states with a downward trajectory of COVID-19 cases for more than 42 days, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Since moving into the “green phase” on May 29, Centre County has continued to meet all criteria for the least-restrictive phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan, including stable, decreasing or low confirmed case counts over the past two weeks compared to the previous two weeks.
The CDC recommends wearing cloth face masks while in public, especially when social distancing measures are hard to maintain. Masks, according to the CDC, prevent people who have the virus from spreading the disease to others and protect those who have not had COVID-19 from contracting the illness.
This recommendation is based on how the disease spreads — through respiratory droplets — and emerging evidence from clinical and laboratory studies that show face coverings reduce the spray of droplets when worn over the nose and mouth.
“COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), so the use of cloth face coverings is particularly important in settings where people are close to each other or where social distancing is difficult to maintain,” the CDC reports.
The proposed resolution says the commissioners agree that wearing masks can save lives and safeguard businesses, allowing more freedom for residents, employees and business owners as shutdown restrictions are eased.
“Be it further resolved that the board of commissioners extends its profound appreciation to the leaders of businesses, nonprofits, institutions of faith and other organizations who have encouraged the wearing of cloth masks to help protect people and safely reopen our economy,” the resolution states.
Masks are mandatory in Pennsylvania when visiting a business, though how masking is enforced by business owners varies.
To further enhance community safety, the resolution proposes that the county use funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to purchase masks and other protective equipment for local businesses and organizations.
Wolf’s office issued a reminder about mandatory masking last week.
“The importance of mask-wearing to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect people and businesses cannot be overstated,” Wolf said Friday. “Masks are required in businesses, for the entire time someone is visiting a business. It’s that simple and that important to continue to safely reopen the state and keep our case counts on the decline.”
Enforcement falls on individual businesses and local law enforcement to ensure social distancing and masking guidelines are being practiced. To collect complaints about businesses not adhering to state orders, the state Department of Health launched an online form for individuals to self-report violations.
“Wearing masks in a business or when in a public space where social distancing can’t be maintained is a required, vital practice to stopping the spread of COVID-19,” Wolf said. “It’s also a sign of respect for others because your mask is protecting them.”
The commissioners are set to consider the resolution at 10 a.m. Tuesday and have asked for feedback to be emailed to boc@centrecountypa.gov.
