The message from Bucks County officials Saturday afternoon was clear: With the governor’s 14-day “aggressive mitigation” period to limit the spread of COVID-19, residents should remain “calm” and “use common sense.”
The message, which was led by the Bucks County Commissioners, came a little more than an hour after Gov. Tom Wolf asked county residents to avoid non-essential travel, recommended non-essential retail businesses close, closed licensed child care centers and adult day cares, and limited access to state facilities.
All public schools in the state are closed for two weeks starting Monday.
Following the governor’s statements, county officials affirmed COVID-19, which has the highest death rate among the elderly, is serious and efforts to mitigate its potential impacts are underway.
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“I impress upon the public not to panic,” Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo said. “The supermarkets are not going to close, utilities are going to continue to deliver the services you are used to, you are going to have plenty of gas to put in your car, so please don’t panic. We’re going to get through this. We’re going to get through this together if we all just use common sense and all just watch out for each other.”
“Even if there are some restrictions and recommendations in place by the governor. I want to make it clear that the businesses that stay open are making good-faith efforts from what I’ve seen,” County Health Director Dr. David Damsker said. He pointed to efforts to create social distance between staff and customers.
“I do believe it’s very important to maintain a regular lifestyle. There are things that may be closed … but there is nothing to panic about,” he added.
Damsker said elderly and at-risk Bucks Countians are the ones who need to look hardest about going out in public to avoid COVID-19.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
Bucks County Commissioner Chairperson Diane Ellis-Marseglia said large gatherings of 250 people or more should be avoided and social distancing with six feet of room between people should be practiced.
“We’re not against people having gatherings, especially outside, but obviously not large gatherings. We still want people to do things. If you’re not feeling 100 percent, don’t go to things,” Damsker stressed, adding residents should wash their hands.
Municipal and county park facilities will remain open. State parks will be closed during the 14-day period.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
Commissioner Bob Harvie said the county has limited public access to the correctional facility and county-owned nursing home. He asked other senior facilities to consider similar precautions.
Harvie said if preventative steps can prevent the deaths of senior citizens that the measures “will be worth it.”
There were three COVID-19 cases reported in Bucks County as of Saturday afternoon. There were no confirmed cases of community spread, and all three patients are doing well, officials said.
In the region, Chester County had two cases, Delaware County had six cases, Montgomery County had 20 cases, Philadelphia had four cases, and Northampton had one case. In total, Pennsylvania had 47 cases among all counties and no COVID-19 deaths.
Wolf also implemented mitigation efforts in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties.
Damsker urged residents to not stir up panic on social media and make sure they share factual information.
County government will remain open and Harvie urged people to continue to shop at small businesses, whose bottom lines will be impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, Harvie said.
Bucks County court officials will review their plans on Monday.
Scott Forster, director of the Bucks County Emergency Management Agency, said officials have been “providing resources, equipment, and guidance to all types of partners in the communities, including the municipalities.”
Due to a recent buying spree by the public, Forster said some of the medical supplies the county is looking to purchase are in short supply.
“We ask you do not go out and just binge buy personal protective equipment as a way to protect yourselves because you’re taking away from health care workers and public safety workers,” he said.
County officials have not yet seen any staffing or other problems that have impacted public safety.
Forster said the county is working with school districts on ways to offer food to students who are out of class. He added that emergency planners are working to provide the assistance districts as needed.
The county did not have plans to open drive-thru testing centers as of Saturday. Damsker said county officials are working with state and federal officials to keep track of the latest guidance.
Forster said emergency responders throughout the county are prepared to handle situations they are called to.
Ellis-Marseglia said meals for senior centers will remain. Residents who are concerned should contact the senior center or the Bucks County Area of Aging.
Licensed child care centers can apply for a waiver to remain open through the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning.
Evan Stone, the director of the Bucks County Planning Commission, has launched a data portal with the latest information and details on the illness and how to speak with county health officials. (Click here to see the site)
In Bensalem, a special election for state representative is planned for Tuesday. As of Saturday afternoon, the special election was still planned. Ellis-Marseglia said the three commissioners are calling on the state to postpone it.
