(Harrisburg, PA – LititzDailyNews.com) – Gov. Tom Wolf today extended the stay-at-home order for Pennsylvanians through April 30, and expanded the order to include the entire state, effective 8 p.m. tonight.
“As we’ve seen in places like Italy, if we don’t do everything in our power to stop the spread of this disease, we could easily have a death toll in the thousands,” the Pennsylvania governor said during a virtual press conference today.
President Trump and physicians on his coronavirus task force cautioned the country yesterday, saying that current statistical models suggest that if people fully comply with current stay-at-home orders, an estimated 100,00-240,000 United States could still die.
Dr. Deborah Birx refers to charts with projected US mortality at a presidential press conference at the White House on March 31, 2020.
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“We have the gift of this disease reaching us late in the day. We know if we implement strong mitigation efforts we can halt it in its tracks,” said Gov. Wolf. “We can stomp down that curve, but we all need to work together.”
To mitigate the spread in Pennsylvania, Gov. Wolf recommends residents act under a specific assumption: “Please assume everyone has the virus, including yourself. Avoid leaving your house like someone’s life depends on it, because ultimately someone’s life does depend on it,” he said.
As local grocers start to restock shelves and supplies diminished by initial panic buying, the governor calmed fears over the food supply.
“And please, do not panic shop or hoard food. All parts of the food supply chain will remain open throughout the duration of this crisis. This includes grocers, food banks, food pantries, and agricultural production and processing.”
He urged Pennsylvanians to consider others as they shop to avoid forcing people, including those who rely on local food banks, to go without.
“Buying more than you need for a week or two adds unnecessary stress to the food supply chain, andit limits available products for others, including charitable organizations. So please, only buy what you need when you’re at the grocery store.”
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“This next month will be difficult, but we Pennsylvanian’s are strong,” the governor said. “We will get through this together.”
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Lynn Rebuck is the editor and publisher of award-winning LititzDailyNews.com, the only independent digital news source in Lititz. Lynn is an award-winning photojournalist who was invited to the White House and has received top recognition from the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, Pennsylvania Women’s Press Association, National Society of Newspaper Columnists, and has been profiled in Editor & Publisher magazine for her unparalleled dedication to publishing LititzDailyNews.com to benefit the community.
