Pennsylvanians now required to wear masks 'whenever anyone leaves home'

[yankee87]

Source: WKBN27

(WKBN) – Pennsylvania’s health secretary signed a new order, requiring people in the state to wear masks “whenever anyone leaves home.”
The new order takes effect immediately.
Read the full order

Read more: https://www.wkbn.com/news/coronavirus/pennsylvanians-now-required-to-wear-masks-whenever-anyone-leaves-home/?fbclid=IwAR0UADms8xyrXOTq3k48U8oJQ6xkzanOTIIj1Km16ynShHV-xn9ZqgrinPU

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I live in Ohio on the PA border and am just waiting for that to happen here. And yes, I am worried.

[LizBeth]

1. July 1, Oregon also.

[doc03]

2. I live in Ohio also what does that order mean to

out of state people? I stopped in a Giant Eagle in PA without a mask a couple weeks ago people looked at me like I was a serial killer. Most people here on Ohio don't wear them. I have started wearing mine any time I go out the last few days since it looks like its coming back even worse than it was.

[LisaL]

5. Don't worry about what it means.

Just wear your mask, even if a state doesn't require them.

[yankee87]

6. For Ohio Residents

From the way I read it, if you are indoors where people are, masks are required. BTW, I have the N95 masks due to spray painting and some home demolition from last year. I use those when I go out.

[bamagal62]

9. I was at Giant Eagle a couple of weeks ago in PA.

I was probably the one looking at you like you were a serial killer.

[Ohiogal]

10. I see most people masked up here in NE Ohio

I think it’s actually gotten a bit better recently although there is still room for improvement

PA had 636 new cases today. Ohio had over 1000.

PA requires masks in all public places. Ohio’s policy is “strongly recommend” masks.

If you don’t mandate masks, people won’t wear them

Not enough mask wearing spreads the virus.

[TheDemsshouldhireme]

28. Giant Eagle

one of the few stores to enforce it, other stores are a joke

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. Doesn't include being outdoors and more than 6 feet away from everyone

https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/20200701-SOH-Universal-Face-Coverings-Order.pdf

So if you go out for a run, say, it does not apply.

[doc03]

4. I ride PA bike trails frequently. nt

[durablend]

16. I'm assuming if you're in your own car (not ridesharing) it doesn't apply either

[Steelrolled]

31. That good to hear

i don't live in PA but walk a few miles a day and stay far away from others (not hard) and don't feel the need for a mask.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. Gov. Wolf's tweet and Press release

Link to tweet

TEXT

Governor Tom Wolf
@GovernorTomWolf
#COVID19 UPDATE: In Pennsylvania, masks must now be worn whenever anyone leaves home.

This is essential to stopping the recent increase in #COVID19 cases in Pennsylvania.

More about this requirement: http://on.pa.gov/2VFj7Dk
Now in effect: Masks are mandatory in all public spaces
3:09 PM · Jul 1, 2020

PRESS RELEASE

Gov. Wolf: Sec. of Health Signs Expanded Mask-Wearing Order

July 01, 2020
Press Release, Public Health

Masks Are Mandatory in All Public Spaces

Expanding on the business safety order signed by Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine in April that requires the wearing of masks in businesses, Governor Tom Wolf today announced a new order signed by Dr. Levine that takes the mask-wearing directive one step further.

With this order, signed under Dr. Levine’s authority under the Disease Prevention and Control Act, masks must be worn whenever anyone leaves home. The order takes effect immediately.

“This mask-wearing order is essential to stopping the recent increase in COVID-19 cases we have seen in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Wolf said. “Those hot spots can be traced to situations where Pennsylvanians were not wearing masks or practicing social distancing – two practices that must be adhered to if we want to maintain the freedoms we have in place under our reopening.”

The order outlines the situations when a mask must be worn and includes limited exceptions to the face-covering requirement.

Each of the state’s mitigation efforts has helped to slow the spread of COVID-19, kept our health care systems from being overwhelmed, and allowed for Gov. Wolf’s measured, phased reopening to proceed. But, with nearly every county is the green phase of reopening, complacency cannot be the norm.

“It is essential that Pennsylvanians wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “While cases increase in some areas, we cannot become complacent. My mask protects you, and your mask protects me. Wearing a mask shows that you care about others, and that you are committed to protecting the lives of those around you.”

More and more health experts have called for mask wearing, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who said during a June 30 Senate hearing on COVID-19, “Americans who don’t wear masks may ‘propagate the further spread of infection.’”

The mask-wearing order will be sent to state and local officials, law enforcement and others tasked with education about the order for those not in compliance.

https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-sec-of-health-signs-expanded-mask-wearing-order/

[still_one]

8. Things have changed quickly in just about a week. They were going the right direction I thought

What a difference a week can make

[not fooled]

13. There's a lag phase in exponential growth

when the numbers don't go up much. I think people were confusing that apparent lull with having the situation under control.

[link:https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2020/03/17/why-exponential-growth-is-so-scary-for-the-covid-19-coronavirus/#32d5bf874e9b|]

And all those puke governors too scientifically illiterate to understand this concept before are learning about it now.

[still_one]

15. Yes

[Freedomofspeech]

11. Well, the hillbillies here in SW PA will still refuse to wear them...

It's their riight to disobey the law and make other people sick. Gawd, I despise them.

[cstanleytech]

12. So if I lived in PA and had a health issue that made wearing a mask difficult if not

impossible (I have asthma and it triggers a severe attack almost every time I have tried to wear one sadly) would this mean I would have to remain in my home like a prisoner?
Not that I go out much anyway as I also have alot of allergies which does the asthma no good either.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

17. If that's the case, make sure you

get a letter from your doctor documenting that wearing a mask always triggers an asthma attack.

[Demsrule86]

18. Well with your Asthma, you should not be going out anyway...you are at high risk of death if you

go out. can catch Covid ..stay home and stay safe!

[cstanleytech]

24. I also have diabetes though its under good control now as with the combination of my

CGM and insulin pump my A1C has been 6.4 and lower for the past year.
As for staying home I do though I do of course go out for things like Doctors visits and the pharmacy as well as the grocery store when needed though I try to do that and little as possible and I try to avoid doing it during busy hours and or days like the weekend.

[BumRushDaShow]

29. Here are the exemptions

People with medical conditions — like respiratory problems, mental health issues, or disabilities — are exempt from the order. People who operate certain equipment for work are exempt too, if wearing a mask creates an unsafe environment. Documentation proving these exemptions is not required.

https://kywnewsradio.radio.com/articles/news/pennsylvania-makes-mask-wearing-mandatory

I think something like was mentioned - a face shield - might be an option if you have to be in some kind of crowded area for an extended period of time.

[Strelnikov_]

36. Appears that Trump supporters are exempt

"People with medical conditions — like . . . mental health issues . . . "

[BumRushDaShow]

39. I would rather think in their case

it's due to a purposeful desire to embrace politics above science and do the "opposite" of what anyone outside of their bubble declares.

[LisaL]

21. All masks trigger asthma?

They are requiring "face coverings" made of any kind of material, including silk. Have you tried a silk mask? Also, plastic face shield is going to count as a face covering in PA. It shouldn't trigger any asthma attack, I would think.

[cstanleytech]

22. For me yes. I think it might be a combination of the heat and moisture because it becomes

harder for me to breath and then I start stressing out which then makes things worse.

[LisaL]

25. What about face shield?

In PA it actually qualifies as a face covering. And it doesn't impede breathing.

[cstanleytech]

26. Started looking into some of them but not sure of their quality nor how effective they would be

but yes I am considering them.

[LisaL]

27. Better than nothing.

They are better in protecting the wearer than other people, but sounds like you really need some extra protection because of your pre-existing conditions.

[LanternWaste]

30. As an asthmatic myself, COVID is a greater risk to our health than masks.

If you suffer an emotional response from the masks exacerbating your attacks, I'd suppose that a relaxant along with ensuring you have your reliever with you at all times, keep taking your preventer inhaler daily as prescribed would soothe most of your concerns,

That said, for those of us with mild or well controlled asthma, the masks are simply not going to be a physical issue, but if you have severe and frequent attacks, going out into public with the virus present should be a much greater concern (as well as emotional stressor) to you than wearing a mask.

Thankfully, all of the local and state mandates to date have consistently included health exemptions... should we choose to (y'know) actually read them.

[helpisontheway]

40. I have asthma. The only mask that causes issues for me are the thick cloth ones..

Now I have all different types of masks. My son has asthma but he does not have issues with any of the masks.

[Steelrolled]

32. You would be exempted under Section 3.A.i

[LisaL]

35. So apparently everybody else who claims to have a medical problem.

The order has no teeth.

[Steelrolled]

37. I imagine you can get charge with making a false statement

if you lie about a medical condition. I really doubt this is going to be a big problem.

[LisaL]

38. You can not legally lie to the police.

I don't think there is a law that you can be charged with making a false statement if you make that statement to a store clerk.

[Steelrolled]

41. You are right

I still don't see this as being a real problem. If all we have to worry about is people who will lie and say they have a medical impairment, we are in excellent shape.

[durablend]

14. Still no proof required of an exception

A whole lot of people are still going flout it anyway as they've been doing...

[Demsrule86]

19. I wonder DeWine will follow suit...he should.

[moreland01]

20. The ultimate boycott

If those of us, say, over 50 (Dems) stay away from places that won't enforce their own mask rules, it is a defacto boycott by a large population of people. Just keep spreading your own personal stories.

I live in Colorado and here is where I will no longer spend my $$.

Advanced Auto Parts - Signs all over the place but no employees or customers wearing masks.
Serious Texas BBQ - Signs on the door yet they don't ask people waiting in line (to order their food) to wear their masks.
Home Depot - Duh - Where the maskless masses congregate. Our Lowes is doing a good job.
Safeway - Luckily I live near a King Soopers (Kroger) that is very good and you rarely see someone without a mask.

Others I should know about?

[Maggiemayhem]

23. In Pittsburgh, they are finding through contact tracing bars are a main source.

In house alcohol service ended yesterday at 5pm. You have to drink at home.

[Steelrolled]

33. If I took that approach I probably could never leave the house

This is like everything else in life, not ideal, but we will make it through.

[Tommymac]

34. Shopping today in the South Hills (Pittsburgh Suburbs) - Mask Report

We are moving into a new home and went to several places to shop for necessities. Here's the ~Mask Counts:

Leasing Office in a high rise apt. building: Staff masked. About 6 residents with masks and 5 without.

Aldis Grocery: Packed. But everyone had a mask and most maintained distance.

Appliance Outlet: 100% masked - 4 or 5 staff and a dozen or so customers.

Big Lots Discount: about 30 people in the store, only 2 without masks. One older gentleman who had obvious health issues and in the very long snaking checkout line there was a dumbace MAGAt teenage boy who had his under his chin, obviously trying to draw attention his way.

Lowes: Probably 100 cars in the parking lot. Those warehouse stores are huge, never felt any social distance anxiety. Saw only 3 Karen's in a group not wearing masks.

All this was before this new order. I have found that our area has been pretty good overall, the majority of folks are wearing masks, or at least have them on their wrist's ready to put on when needed while outside.



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