Valley residents split over second shutdown

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

With the coronavirus pandemic now in its fourth month, some states are adjusting to a new normal, but others are seeing a spike in positive tests.

Gov. Tom Wolf said data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate Pennsylvania is one of just three states that has had a downward trajectory of COVID-19 cases for more than 42 days. The others are Montana and Hawaii.

The story is much different in many other states.

On Thursday, Arizona reported 3,056 new cases and 27 new deaths within the past 24 hours, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced 1,106 new confirmed cases.

And while the 579 new coronavirus cases reported Thursday by the Pennsylvania’s Department of Health may seem small in comparison, those numbers are increasing.

Talking to residents and business owners along Monongahela’s Main Street, concerns over another statewide shutdown are as varied as states’ coronavirus cases.

“Yes, I’m worried that people don’t pay attention to masks and they’re having more gatherings,” said resident and retired Presbyterian minister Lesley Shoup. “I’ve only gone out twice for dinner. Testing would be helpful if we knew where the cases were spiking. My concern is for the children and making sure they can continue their education and keep their little brains stimulated.”

To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Friday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.