COVID-19 didn’t stop a traditional party weekend in State College. What will happen this fall?
The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts might have been held online this year, but that didn’t stop crowds of people from lining up at downtown bars on what is a traditional party weekend for students and alumni.
When Gov. Tom Wolf implemented the March statewide shutdown and Penn State announced classes would be conducted online for the remainder of the year, downtown State College was virtually empty. But now that communities are beginning to reopen and students prepare to return to campus this fall, questions remain about how best to enforce mandatory masking and social distancing.
Last week, Doggie’s Pub co-owner Kelley Trosko outlined some of the COVID-19 precautions the business has taken, including required face masks when walking around the pub and limited number of people at tables.
“The majority of people that are used to (masking and social distancing) are younger individuals, students. They go with it,” Trosko said Thursday. “I think some people we have had pushback from are from the older group. They’re a little stuck in their ways, but once we educate them, it helps.”
Despite having signage and Doggie’s staff stationed outside to check that patrons are wearing face coverings and sidewalk markings to designate a 6-foot distance, photos and social media posts from the weekend tell a different story. With limited social distancing in the long lines, it previews what could happen when Penn State students return for in-person classes this fall if enforcement policies remain unchanged.
“The social distancing outside the bars was happening a month or so ago,” Commissioner Michael Pipe said Monday. “We weren’t seeing that social distancing this weekend. I have yet to see any photos of inside any of the bars, but I would have to imagine that it was a lot of unmasked people, and that is very concerning.”
Trosko declined to comment on the weekend turnout, but it wasn’t just Doggie’s that had lines of people — some wearing masks, some not — waiting for entrance. The Phryst, Primantis and Champs Downtown had a significant number of patrons outside on Friday and Saturday nights. Under the “green phase” of Wolf’s reopening plan, bars and restaurants may open at 50% occupancy.
The photos of crowds circulated on social media and had many questioning what will happen when students return, starting Aug. 21.
Pennsylvania’s college-aged adults are catching COVID-19 at increasingly high levels, a trend so concerning the state Department of Health recently released a health alert — the highest-level of importance among a three-tiered system — on the pandemic’s shifting demographics.
According to the state DOH, five of the commonwealth’s six regions have seen the rate of infections among the 19-24 age group either nearly double or more than double.
Even if staff members tried to carry out the guidelines listed in the statewide order, there is no way to hold individuals accountable for their actions.
State College Police Department Lt. Greg Brauser referred to a statement made by DOH spokesperson Nate Wardle who told PennLive the state is “relying on the good sense and cooperative spirit of Pennsylvanians” to follow the order.
“At this time, law enforcement will not be charged with enforcing this latest order with citations for noncompliance,” Wardle wrote in the email.
Centre County and some municipalities have adopted resolutions that endorse the continued wearing of masks and social distancing practices, but the State College Borough may adopt an ordinance that would give officials the ability to enforce the DOH order and implement consequences if an individual fails to comply.
Such an ordinance could potentially fine those who do not comply.
Council President Jesse Barlow and borough spokesman Doug Shontz told the CDT last week that it’s premature to discuss specifics. Both said they’re currently looking into the legal feasibility of such an ordinance. More information is expected within the next two weeks.
A resolution is on the agenda for Monday’s council meeting that endorses continued mask wearing.
While this weekend served as a glimpse of what downtown could look like if students are to return with the current guidelines in place, Pipe said he hopes the county, Penn State and the state can refine how to carry out health and safety orders.
“We do anticipate there’s going to be more students coming in,” he said, referring to the plan to bring students back to Penn State.
As restrictions are lifted in counties across the country, there have been increased outbreaks of COVID-19, some occurring in college towns. But Pipe and other Centre County officials have said it is important to practice good behavior now, so that when students return this fall, they will be met by strict guidelines and enforcement and follow suit.
By doing this, Pipe believes Centre County residents and Penn State students will have more freedom to visit local businesses, but if not, strict guidelines could be put in effect once more.
“We don’t have to look to far. Allegheny County just recently ... made the decision to shut down in-person service of their bars,” he said. “It’s not out of the question that there could be the determination of the governor or the secretary of health to close down bars and restaurants in Centre County if they see a surge in cases.”
This story was originally published July 13, 2020 at 3:03 PM.
