In his latest update on the state’s plans for addressing the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Tom Wolf introduced the concept of a program for getting Pennsylvanians safely back to work.

“We are at the two-month mark now in our fight against COVID-19,” he said. “We are walking a tightrope trying to balance health and the economy.”

Reality check

Wolf said that a cure and a vaccine for the virus are still many months away and a resurgence is expected in the fall.

“There is nothing more valuable than life,” he remarked, “but one in six Pennsylvanians have been laid off from their jobs and some are permanently unemployed.

“We want to go back to work, and to school and to church and visit our loved ones, but we need to do these things with as little risk as possible.”

Wolf mentioned the state now has better testing abilities, tracing systems, and an understanding of the virus transmissions so reopening businesses by county can gradually be facilitated.

A new task force

The governor’s new task force, called the Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps will focus on reducing the state’s unemployment rate. Specific details as to who will staff the Corps and how it will implement procedures will be forthcoming. Wolf is asking for federal assistance to fund its operation that will require training for the selected members.

He cautioned that residents must still follow good hygiene, wear masks and keep social distancing after the CCCC unveils guidelines to restart the economy.

“Our intent is to resume normal life as much as possible until a vaccine is available.”

He called the new task force “a big deal” that will not need legislative approval.

The unemployment system has been a problem, with people not being able to register.

Both state Rep. Jerry Knowles and Sen. John Yudichak blasted officials this week.

“A fundamental question that the administration has failed to answer is why the experienced professionals at the Department of Labor & Industry were not fully consulted on the governor’s executive order that shut down businesses across Pennsylvania, forcing almost 1.8 million Pennsylvanians out of work and overwhelming the unemployment compensation system,” Yudichak said in a hearing.

“The lack of a collaborative and transparent process in designing the governor’s executive order to shut down businesses has resulted in millions of Pennsylvania families struggling with a public health crisis while they deal with the tangible human costs of a personal economic crisis.”

Knowles said constituents are telling him that they have filed for unemployment but have not received a penny, and others are baffled because they cannot get through to the Department of Labor and Industry’s website. The links that people are instructed to use to file an unemployment compensation claim don’t perform properly.

Knowles also expressed his frustration because many of the people who have filed for unemployment compensation are those who want to work and could do so safely, but the governor shut them down, contributing to the issue.

“Businesses across the commonwealth are struggling under the COVID-19 state of emergency, and the governor’s list of ‘life-sustaining’ business is the crux of the problem. We expect consistency and transparency for the businesses and workers of Pennsylvania,” he said.

The 6 percent factor

Health Secretary Rachel Levine revealed updated numbers gathered as of midnight Wednesday.

We have 888 new positive cases which is less than the 1,000 we were getting in each day for the past four days,” she said. Of significant note are the number of deaths in Pennsylvania compared to those in New Jersey which has nearly a third more positive cases than Pennsylvania.

“We have had 3,106 deaths up to date,” Levine said. “New Jersey reports that 8,549 have died from the virus, but the percentage of those who have died from the total number of positive cases in each state is the same at 6%.”

Levine revealed that all of the state’s deaths are adults and most are from nursing homes and long- term care centers. She added that 46% of the state’s hospital beds are still available for new patients.

Carbon County increased by just one case from Tuesday’s report, bringing the total to186, with one more death recorded for 16. Of those, 12 deaths were in long-term care facilities.

In Lehigh County, there are 3,063 cases, an increase of 64 cases. Deaths increased by eight to 102. Of those deaths, 69 were in long-term care.

In Luzerne County, there are 2,306 cases, an increase of 26 from Tuesday. There are three additional deaths for a total of 107. Of those deaths, 71 were in nursing homes.

Monroe County is reporting four new cases, for a total of 1,190. Deaths remain at 60. Of those, 25 were in long-term care facilities.

Northampton County recorded 34 new cases, for a total of 2,313 cases. Deaths rose from by four to 122 cases, with 78 of those in long-term care.

Schuylkill County reported 14 new cases, for a total of 419. Deaths climbed from 7 to 9, with the first long-term care death reported.

The question of transparency

Wolf was challenged by a statement made that he has not been totally open and honest with what his administration has been telling the public.

“We want to be transparent. There is no excuse not to be,” he said. As an example of his transparency, Wolf told the press he has conducted Zoom meetings with seven governors from other northeastern states.

“We are pooling our power to form a consortium to get federal funding and we’re also providing free contamination systems for our first responders because they need to be protected.”

Levine said that of the nearly 52,000 positive cases, 3,316 are health care workers and 122 work in the food service industry.

Public concerns

Wolf was informed that some businesses have been defying the guideline orders his administration has put into place.

“I believe ignoring the guidelines is bad for business,” he said. “They will have trouble gaining the confidence of their customers and their employees if they’re not following safety measures.”

He addressed the issue regarding certain medical services like teeth cleaning and nonessential elective surgeries by saying that local dentists and doctors can determine what treatments they are willing to provide for their patients.

When questioned about why testing has not increased, Wolf said tests must be given only to people with symptoms and that we are not yet ready to offer mass testing for everyone.

Tribute to nurses

Both Wolf and Levine praised nurses statewide. A video was shown to honor their dedication during this difficult time. Comments from many Pennsylvania nurses included, “We’re doing our job.” “We know how to get things done” and “We’re here to protect the public.”

On behalf of the state administration, gratitude was given to all nurses who work at every level and every facility for their unconditional service to the recovery of their patients from COVID-19.