Westmoreland County: Republican House members object to shutdown ‘threat’

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Westmoreland County Republican House members expressed surprise, deep concern and frustration over what they’re calling state Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine’s “recent threat to close restaurants and bars for the next two weeks.”

The legislators, including state Reps. Mike Reese, R-Mt. Pleasant; Ryan Warner, R-Perryopolis; George Dunbar, R-Penn Township; Eric Nelson, R-Hempfield; Eric Davanzo, R-Smithton; and Bob Brooks, R-Murrysville, issued a statement explaining these businesses have met the Department of Health’s recommendations.

The legislators contend the businesses have successfully implemented requested safety measures and have been “unjustly targeted by the Wolf Administration.”

“This administration should acknowledge that significant increases in testing may show additional positives, but that does not equate to increased hospitalizations, fatal incidents or public health risk,” the legislators state.

“Healthy citizens are now getting this virus, they are responsibly staying at home with minor symptoms, are recovering and building herd immunity. Additionally, we have seen a decrease in fatality rates as our physicians are learning to better treat those with advanced conditions.

“Our hospitals are currently underutilized and treating only a handful of COVID-19 positive patients. For example, Excela Health reported it is currently treating just six COVID-19 patients across its three hospitals, while UPMC recently announced some of the lowest COVID-19 patient treatment numbers in the last several months.”

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