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Coronavirus in Pennsylvania

Wolf on Mask Requirement for Businesses – “They’re Not Required.”

are businesses required to make customers wear face masks in pennsylvania

*BREAKING – JULY 1* – Wolf Now Requires Masks in ALL Public Places

are businesses required to make customers wear face masks in pennsylvania

We previously discussed the double-talk from the administration of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on the issue of masks. Are they required or not?

Getting a straight answer from anyone with any sort of authority – either the Governor himself or Health Secretary Rachel Levine – is basically impossible.

Instead of giving a simple yes or no answer, anyone asking usually gets a lecture on the importance of masks. That’s the importance of masks, according to them, of course.

You can do a simple internet search on whether cloth face masks are effective at preventing anything and you’ll get conflicting results. One doctor says yes. Another says no. Some even say they’re more dangerous than not wearing a mask.

Remember, the pandemic response started in March. But the masking order from the Health Dept. didn’t go into effect until April 21.

Well, on Monday, we finally got a straight answer from the Governor on this … kinda.

Are Pennsylvania Businesses Required to Make Customers Wear Face Masks?

Since that order came down from above, the big question is whether stores must require customers to wear a face mask to shop.

OUR ORIGINAL REPORT ON THE TOPIC: Are Masks Really Mandatory in Pennsylvania? Probably Maybe

When you go to any store around Schuylkill County, you’ll see signs on the front door requiring masks to enter — No Mask, No Service.

Now, are store owners doing this because they believe it keeps other customers safe? Or are they doing this because they believe it’s the law?

Considering how divisive an issue face masks have become, you’d think that stores would prefer to not require them. If someone wants to wear a mask, they can. If not, surely the store owner would not want to get in the way of a paying customer who just wants to pop in, spend their money, and leave.

But store owners tend to believe – because they’ve been told so by someone – that face masks are required of their customers. They’d rather not find out what the penalty is for not requiring customers to wear one. Some stores have gotten militant over it.

Finally, A Straight-ish Answer on Face Masks in Pennsylvania

If Governor Wolf were in touch with the general public outside of a race protest, he’d recognize how this issue is dividing Pennsylvania right now.

It’s so divisive that he got another question about it on Monday during his latest press conference. And in classic Tom Wolf fashion, he lectured the media and the public on why he thinks masks are important.

However, Wolf did give one straight answer that business owners will surely want to hear.

Here’s the question posed to him at Monday’s presser:

On social media, you said earlier today that masks are required. Previously you’ve said they’re recommended. Is there a difference in the guidance on masks going forward for entering a business? 

Wolf responded with his most direct answer yet on the topic.

“Uhhh, they’re not required,” he said.

So … there it is. In relatively plain English: “They’re not required.”

But wait, there’s more.

He added, “Uhhh, let me make sure I say this right because I’m not a lawyer, I’m not sure.”

We get that he’s not a lawyer. And if he keeps this up, he won’t be Governor much longer, either.

Also, you may not want to take our word for it on this topic. We, like the Governor, do not possess a law degree. Maybe consult your lawyer first.

But he definitely did say this …

Watch his full answer to the question Monday (as captured in this video clip posted by State Rep. Russ Diamond):

With Every Non-Answer on Face Mask Requirements Comes a Lecture

But while he still occupies the Governor’s office, he still uses his pulpit for a lecture. And on Monday, he offered up this latest confusing advice on face masks.

He said, “Whether they’re required or not though, let me just put a plug in for wearing masks. Uh, the mask protects other people. Obviously, if you’re yelling, I think we’re learning more about that, that they’re less effective. But just general conversation, if you’re in a room with somebody else or you’re close to somebody else, you actually are doing them a favor by wearing a mask.”

Cool story, bro. But at this point, that’s just one person’s opinion on the topic. Again, you can find plenty of opinions to the contrary.

He concluded his “answer” to the question posed Monday by saying, “So, (chuckling) we’ll find out what the legality is, but we really ought to be wearing masks. And stores should be requiring that of their customers.”

Then, he tried equating the face mask non-requirement with another popular retail policy.

“Uh, (shrugs shoulders) they do that with shirts and shoes, they certainly should be able to do it with masks to try to keep their other customers safe,” Wolf concluded.

Business Rules vs. The Law

He’s wrong on the shirts and shoes policy. Stores don’t want people coming in topless and shoeless because it’s gross. If stores want to require customers to remove their hats or wear a sports coat or a tie, that’s their prerogative. There are no laws on any of those.

If a business wants to make it their rule that customers must wear face masks, that should be their call, not his.

And based on his answer to the question today, it appears that’s what it is – the business owner’s decision. But is it too late to go back? Have business owners already been groomed into thinking that masks work and worse, that they’re required by law?

What Wolf is trying to do here by lecturing instead of governing is condition the public on face masks. If he gets his way, the face mask “requirement” will never end, even long after the virus is just an afterthought.

Remember, the Green phase of his pandemic response plan is all about conditioning the public for his so-called “new normal” in Pennsylvania. And there’s no plan for after the Green phase because he doesn’t plan on letting go of the presumed power he wields over the entire state right now. If he can do this with face masks, what’s next?

MORE UPDATES ON MASKS IN PENNSYLVANIA:

Local Dept. of Memes on Mask Policy in PA – One Week This, Next Week That

Tom Wolf Goes Full Karen on Mask Policy

 

Are Face Masks Mandatory in Pennsylvania?

Yes.

On July 1, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said Health Secretary Rachel Levine signed an order making face masks mandatory in all public places in the state.

Masks are required in Pennsylvania when you’re:

  • “Outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of 6 feet from individuals who are not members of their household.”
  • “In any indoor location where members of the public are generally permitted.”
  • “Waiting for, riding on, driving, or operating public transportation or paratransit or while in a taxi, private car service or ride-sharing vehicle.”
  • “Obtaining services from the healthcare sector in settings including, but not limited to a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician, or dental office, veterinary clinic, or blood bank.”
  • “Engaged in work, whether at the workplace or performing work off-site, when interacting in-person with any member of the public, working in any space visited by members of the public, working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution to others, working in or walking through common areas, or in any room or enclosed area where other people, except for members of the person’s own household or residence, are present when unable to physically distance.”

READ MORE: Wolf Now Requires Masks in ALL Public Places

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81 Comments

81 Comments

  1. Linda H

    June 9, 2020 at 6:56 am

    I swear he is in the early stages of dementia. Or, maybe its something as simple as he has his head up his butt?

    You do not need to be a lawyer to make a statement and stand by your statement. Everyday parents tell their children, yes or no, and manage to stand by their reason and explain it.
    Now we have the King not being able to speak because he does not have a law degree?

    • PTFloridians

      June 11, 2020 at 7:30 am

      Wolf the Waffler is like the parent that repeatedly told a child to stop doing something, or do something, and the child repeatedly told him “no”…after a few times he just throws his hands in the air in amazement…now, he’s taking it out on us because he has “power”. I’ve seen it in the prison system a thousand times over.
      …he must have a degree in deflection, denial and disdain…three “must have” traits of a good liberal.

  2. PTFloridians

    June 9, 2020 at 8:04 am

    There is simply no need to be a lawyer, consult a lawyer, or anything about a lawyer…there is NO LAW anywhere at anytime, about masks. Der Komissar Wolf is simply perpetuating and stretching out the fear angle, while using the “shaming” tactic by saying that “it’s about protecting you”…that’s a mind game tactic used to muddy the waters on an already muddy situation. People are absolutely fed up with masks and this incoherent, deceptive con man. People all over the county are clearly ignoring the wearing of masks, including myself. As i pass by others, they feel empowered by NOT wearing their masks anymore, in their words and actions. This is NOT about a lawful, scientific value of paper face coverings…there is NO clear data to support that from anywhere. He has clearly been outed as part of the swamp and needs to be removed, as no clear leadership has been demonstrated. Clear, concise words and confident explanations are paramount from leaders…he is not a leader. Get him outta here. End all the deception, lies and dereliction of duty. We want a Governor, not a lying shill from the swamp.

    • Candace handyside

      June 10, 2020 at 11:07 am

      Well stated. I went to a shop n save yesterday and did not wear a mask. No one said a word to me. You’re right about people and saying we shouldn’t have to wear a mask. It is not a law. Problem is, businesses across the board are conditioned to believe its a law. And it certainly is not. If people just stop wearing masks all together, it should be their right. If some feel it’s necessary then by all means wear one if it makes them have a false sense of security.

      • Masked avenger

        July 5, 2020 at 2:47 pm

        A few of the businesses I frequent in Pennsylvania have wear a mask signs, but none of them enforce it. A lot of people still wear them I guess volu tarily but its getting less everyday. If any business trys to make you wear a mask just say you have a health condition. They are not even allowed to ask what your condition is.

    • KF

      June 15, 2020 at 1:44 am

      Youre correct, not wearing a mask is empowering people to take back their rights!This whole covid issue was about control. As we don’t wear masks during Flu season, and shut down the economy, WAKE UP PEOPLE!
      More people did not die than the flu, they tried to make it look that way!
      NO ONE can prove how many people died from covid, and we know how they were making most deaths covid related, as they would get more funding. But you need to be smart to figure this out???? They used covid for a plethora of reasons and we fell for it!

  3. PTFloridians

    June 9, 2020 at 8:22 am

    Once again, I’d like to reiterate a point i made on another post…IT IS A VIOLATION OF THE HIPPA LAW FOR ANYONE TO ASK YOU WHY YOU ARE NOT WEARING A MASK. IF YOU HAVE A “MEDICAL ISSUE” OR “PERCEIVED PROBLEM” WITH WEARING ONE, THEY, BY LAW, CANNOT INVADE YOUR MEDICAL PRIVACY.
    …local stores are being blackmailed by this putz, by threatening the witholding of funds, permits, licenses, etc., by perpetuating his nonsensical garbage.
    …if you’re sick, immune compromised, or vulnerable, wear a mask if you feel more comfortable, or just stay home and have someone get what you need. DON’T shame and judge others for not doing so.

  4. PTFloridians

    June 9, 2020 at 11:25 am

    Excerpt from an article in Science Daily…this nonsense needs to be OVER.

    The widespread use of cloth masks by healthcare workers may actually put them at increased risk of respiratory illness and viral infections and their global use should be discouraged, according to a UNSW study.
    The authors speculate that the cloth masks’ moisture retention, their reuse and poor filtration may explain the increased risk of infection.

    Professor MacIntyre, who has completed the largest body of clincial trial research on respiratory protection in health workers internationally, said emerging infectious diseases are not constrained within geographical borders.

    “Effective controls of outbreaks and pandemics at the origin impacts us directly, so it is important for global disease control that the use of cloth masks be discouraged in high-risk situations,” she said.

    “Despite more than half the world using cloth masks, global disease control guidelines, including those from the World Health Organisation, fail to clearly specify conditions of their use.

    “These guidelines need to be updated to reflect the higher infection risk posed by cloth masks, as found in our study.”

  5. ed weld

    June 9, 2020 at 8:08 pm

    Most of you people can’t even run a business let along a state with a virus I wouldn’t want to be in a position deciding will more people die or not, I wear a seat belt when driving and a helmet when riding not because i want to but because it going to keep me safe i know 50 percent of the time, I am 70 i will wear mine not because I like IT but because of people like you that don’t care about me.

    • admin

      June 9, 2020 at 8:19 pm

      Yep, that’s what we said. We want you to die lol. If you want to wear one and you believe studies that say they’re effective. There are just as many studies that say masks are dangerous and/or do absolutely nothing to protect you. BTW, you wear a seat belt because it’s the law and there’s a fine for not wearing one. And seat belts have proven to be way more effective at preventing serious injury and death than 50/50. Nice try, Boomer.

      • kathy

        June 11, 2020 at 9:19 am

        admin – I agree with everything you wrote here, and I’m a ‘boomer’! I will say, though, that I think Baby Boomers have pretty much ruined this world. My apologies.

        • admin

          June 11, 2020 at 9:23 am

          LOL, Boomers aren’t helping, are they? Too tired to fight back? Too much Ensure? Probably has something to do with all those meds they have youS guys on these days. Pretty sure the blame rests on the people of our generation (the people in their late 30s-mid 40s) who bred the Millennial generation. They do say these Zoomers are a little different, though. Seem to have more of an edge. Hope for the future?

  6. C.Feb

    June 10, 2020 at 3:06 pm

    Let’s have a riot… Should we riot for masks or against masks?
    No matter.. let’s have a riot..

  7. C. Feb

    June 10, 2020 at 3:09 pm

    Let’s have a riot over it. Should we riot for masks or against masks?
    No matter. Let’s riot.

  8. Mcc

    June 10, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577

    Another study that detracts from cloth masks

  9. Peter Anthony de Feo

    June 11, 2020 at 9:08 am

    I have completed my research. My choice is to wear a mask when not wearing one upsets others. MOST OF THE TIME I DO NOT WEAR A MASK.

    Let me add. I know and work with thousands every week. I know NO ONE who has the virus 19.

  10. hp

    June 12, 2020 at 12:21 pm

    Bureaucrats, especially Bigly Bureaucrats,
    make me nervous and also a little nauseous..

  11. Cindy

    June 12, 2020 at 11:31 pm

    How can this be so complicated? We are doing every thing other most states are doing…wearing a mask is optional except for people who still feel it is still around. To prevent a return they wear a mask.. stores prefer to be safe cuz they don’t want to have to close again if virus returns. It’s not completely gone. So those who don’t wanna wear one. Dont! Those who do ,so what? Why the big deal.? But should it spread and kill more people. The people wearing the masks will be the safer ones .. it’s as simple as that..noones saying u have to.. basically saying it might be smarter to wear one.

    • admin

      June 13, 2020 at 12:04 am

      OK, Karen. Probably should get your facts straight on this. PA Health Secretary issued an order to try to make it mandatory. Stores REQUIRE face masks in most places because they think it’s a law. You think it’s smarter but guess what … people disagree with you. Doesn’t make them dumb.
      The “big deal” is not with the masks. If you could read an article without hearing your own arrogant opinions swirling around in your gigantic head, you’d realize our beef isn’t necessarily with the masks but the Governor’s inability to give a straight answer. The reason it was raised at one of the few live (not virtual) press conferences is because he hasn’t been clear on the subject.
      Thanks for playing, Karen.

    • PTFloridians

      June 13, 2020 at 7:19 am

      How did we survive as a species for all these years without masks?…flu after flu, virus after virus, plagues, and everything in between. They’re all different, they’re all unique, and they all morph into something different or die off. EVERYONE has been exposed to this thing, just like all the other things. We develop antibodies and we go on. Eat better, get fresh air and sunshine, and stay moving…stop being afraid and living in prison. If you are sickly or have compromised immunity building, play it safe everyday, not just now…be well and “let’s live before we die”…stop wasting precious time.

  12. Holly

    June 13, 2020 at 4:18 pm

    Why is it so hard for people to wear the mask? Corona virus has killed well over 100,000 people. Why take the chance on spreading it? Yes, the mask is a little inconvenient, but so is stopping at a red light. Yet, I stop to protect myself and to protect the other people with whom I share the road. Stop making this a political issue. Just make a small sacrifice to take care of the people around you.

    • admin

      June 13, 2020 at 5:08 pm

      Prove that it works. By the way, we can prove it doesn’t work. But as long as you think it makes a difference, Karen, by all means keep bitching about it.

    • PTFloridians

      June 13, 2020 at 9:10 pm

      The seasonal flu kills, on average, 60000 people annually in the last 5 years, with 2017-2018 killing about 95000. I never saw one single person, anywhere in the country, wear a mask or squawk about people dying from it. The China virus numbers are inflated, as well, for a variety of reasons. So, in closing, save your breath to cool your potatoes please. The shaming, blame game has been getting old too, wayyy too old.

    • Eric V.

      June 20, 2020 at 4:36 pm

      Because the numbers are false!!! My wife’s uncle died of a heart attack a month ago. When they got his death certificate back it said covid-19 obviously they were mad and said how did this happen? The doctor just look at them and said this is what the CDC is telling us to do. If it’s not a stabbing or gun shot it should be mark down as covid. They want the numbers high!! https://www.globalresearch.ca/hospitals-getting-paid-more-label-cause-death-coronavirus/5709720

  13. Linda H

    June 13, 2020 at 5:15 pm

    If six foot keeps us safe, no need to be wearing a mask. Stay the heck away from me and I certainly WILL stay away from you. I get tired of people being on my butt At least in the car I can slam the brakes on and they either back off or end up in my trunk. Those with a mask on, who ride my butt in the store, are really pissing me off these days. The damn mask does NOT keep ya safe! Stay away from me, mask or not. BTW I use self checkout, so do not bother to go there.

  14. Rob

    June 13, 2020 at 7:05 pm

    It is fact that masks protect others, not the person wearing the mask as much as other people around them. Simple cloth masks do more toward things getting out and don’t provide much protection from things getting in. Any amount of protection is a good idea. People who are not wearing masks are being inconsiderate of everyone else, careless, and inconsiderate. I personally wish stores with masl requirement signs would continue denying people without one to enter, it’s store policy whehther it’s law or not. If you ignore and walk by signs saying “mask required” you deserve being asked to leave, not served, and escorted out for your inconsiderate carelessness of others. We live in communities together. If you’re not helping and doing everything you can for everyone’s well being, wearing a mask, you are part of the problem.

    • admin

      June 13, 2020 at 7:45 pm

      Well, at least you’re not acting all high and might about it. Funny, you probably didn’t have this feeling when they weren’t required. You’re only repeating this over and over because someone you think is telling you the truth is saying so now. If they were so effective, maybe they should have started this at the beginning of the pandemic. And by the way, those same people also thought it was a good idea to send COVID-positive patients from the hospitals into nursing homes to infect others. So, you may want to be careful about who you’re following.

  15. Linda H

    June 13, 2020 at 8:47 pm

    Just listening to Senator Doug Mastriano fireside chat, they are going after Mr oops Mrs Levine this week.
    Those homemade masks are a complete joke, heck most of them are made from fabric manufactured in China.
    I was out of state for most of last week, PA is the only state still grasping onto their masks. Wolf and Levine really did a number on some people minds. I can now see how it was so easy for Hitler to load the sheep onto the death trains.

  16. Karen F

    June 15, 2020 at 8:32 am

    So I am supposed to feel like I am suffocating and get lack of fresh air to my body just to protect someone else? No thank you. It’s not my responsibility to protect anyone else but myself and my family. Let the people wear masks to protect themselves. And now people will stay away from me instead of being in my personal body space! Take a stand and don’t wear masks! More people are dying from other things. Go research death statistics.

  17. Linda H

    June 15, 2020 at 10:37 am

    I am at the point of popping my mask on as I enter the store – shop, and if there is no one near me, its onto my chin. So over it too. I was to the local small chain grocery store and saw a few people w/o masks no one said a word to them, including the store manager. I am sure the manager is over this mask issue and has bigger issues, beyond being dead tired, due to mandated hours of overtime.

  18. ERdoc

    June 18, 2020 at 10:44 pm

    The writer’s bias driven lack of recognition of the evolving understanding in the U.S. and around the globe (yep, world is round) of how the SARS CoV-2 virus is spread and, thus, how effective different types of masks are in preventing its spread, is what has led to their accusations of state leaders not giving them a straight answer.
    This lack of understanding also leads to the inability to protect people from those who don’t appear to care if they infect others – not to mention a lack of understanding of how the founders of the country believed strongly in people sacrificing some individuality for the greater, common good.

    • admin

      June 18, 2020 at 10:49 pm

      When you get down off that virtuous high horse you rode in here on, you may want to read a little closer. The governor’s and health secretary’s own words on masks are what confuse people and business owners and authorities.

    • PTFloridians

      June 19, 2020 at 6:49 am

      Reads like insightful and factual reporting to me. I remember the SARS virus a few years back (how did you deal with that?) and there wasn’t even a hiccup in our daily lives, as people were dropping like flies…all ages…no masks, no economic shutdown, just treating the afflicted and vulnerable. That’s probably what you should stick to doing, treating the afflicted and vulnerable, and let the lying shills at the CDC and WHO continue to bloviate. It’s not good to Blue-Pill everyone in your line of work. It stokes fear and divisiveness.

  19. PTFloridians

    June 20, 2020 at 7:46 pm

    By the way, i just took notice…you could fry an egg on the too of Wolf-boy’s shiny dome. Undoubtedly from all the sunshine and fresh air he got in Florida, when he left his state, while he pressed his smelly thumb on the rest of us here in PA. What a Richard…oh wait…

  20. O egg

    June 23, 2020 at 9:27 am

    Lol I love you admin.

    Just spreading the love. Clearly many of you are lacking this. One who can hate so much, has never loved.

    The government is designed to protect my rights. NOT take them away from me. No further explanation is needed. Have a lovely day ya’ll.

    • admin

      June 23, 2020 at 3:05 pm

      Love spreading … we feel it.

  21. Marie

    June 23, 2020 at 11:39 am

    WTF did I just read. Why are you spreading misinformation and purposely trying to confuse and create distrust?

    The mandate is clear. Masks are required. I don’t know why you wrote a small novel picking apart a short Q&A.

    Does the mask harm you? No. Does not wearing a mask harm others? Possibly yes. And this is no joke – even if you don’t die, you can have lung scarring, organ damage, and other long-lasting health issues.

    Just a reminder that this disease primarily spreads through respiratory droplets. That’s why it’s a SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). It spreads like a fart. Think of it as farting virus from your mouth, again and again. Does your underwear get really smelly after you fart a lot? Yeah, now replace fecal molecules with virus. If you don’t wear a mask, you’re squatting with your cheeks spread, farting into a closed space with other people, again and again. Disgusting right? That’s what I think of people who are too ignorant to wear masks.

    You also won’t know you’re sick until you get symptoms…that don’t show up for 5-7 days after infection.

    • admin

      June 23, 2020 at 2:57 pm

      The governor clearly says in this press conference – when the story was written, btw – that “they’re not required” … hence the headline with the quote in it. Can’t figure out why you believe your beliefs on the subject are what the governor means and not the actual words coming out of his mouth. Strange, that.

    • PTFloridians

      June 23, 2020 at 5:20 pm

      Seems this “farting virus” analogy got a good hold on YOUR mouth…just sayin. Get a grip.

  22. Hannah

    June 23, 2020 at 12:31 pm

    Your “article” is garbage. Wolf has never said masks are not required. He’s made perfectly clear they’re required.

    https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-mask-wearing-is-required-critical-to-stop-covid-19-spread/

    • admin

      June 23, 2020 at 2:55 pm

      The article is not garbage. Your ability to watch a short video clip to hear the Governor say, “They’re not required,” is garbage. That’s when the article was written. We’ve since updated this article and all other mask articles with the Governor’s latest communication on this subject, specifically, including articles about his recent reiteration of the mask order. So, really, your ability to not only watch a short video clip (hence, the quotes around “They’re not required”) and to see clearly visible updates on this subject on this very same article is not just garbage. It’s hot garbage.

    • admin

      June 23, 2020 at 3:03 pm

      Our latest article on the subject of face masks in PA. We’re sure you’ll just love the meme: https://coalregioncanary.com/2020/06/18/tom-wolf-goes-full-karen-on-pennsylvania-mask-policy/

    • PTFloridians

      June 23, 2020 at 4:02 pm

      Wolf hasn’t made ANYTHING perfectly clear, throughout this whole process…that’s why we’re all still dealing with this nonsense. When its all siad and done, the main reasons for his lack of clarity is to cirvumvent laws, yet still minimize liability and risk. That’s his MIT background.

  23. Linda H

    June 23, 2020 at 4:17 pm

    I am no longer seeing mask guards at any of the stores I enter. Was just into Wal Mart to pick up an order and I was one of the very few customers with a mask on. Even retail is now realizing the dithering “ole cue ball’ has no real mask policy that they can demand the customers adhere to.

  24. Fred Boenig

    June 26, 2020 at 6:28 am

    Maybe now that we are at 40,000 cases a day- the clueless “phony patriot” that wrote this stupid article that thinks somewhere in the Constitution- it says stupid people can make other people sick is a right, should read it again- Start with the Preamble- “promote the general Welfare” well when more people die then in all the wars in the 20th century- you’d think that someone would understand that the TINY SACRIFICE of having to wear a mask is nothing compared to the sacrifices of the people that came before them. If you have Covid 19 and don’t wear a mask- even if I do- you have a 70% chance of contaminating me. If you have Covid 19 and wear a mask and I don’t wear one- it drops to 5%- if we both wear one it drops to 1.5%– If you think you have the right to knowingly risk OTHERS lives- you’re wrong- you can’t Drink and Drive- you can’t shoot a gun in a movie theater- you might have the right to own a gun- but that doesn’t give you the Right to use it. #GoldStarDad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tkfaMgJdGs

    • Canary Commenter

      June 26, 2020 at 9:53 am

      We’re quoting the Governor, dipshit. Maybe you should direct your anger toward him for not being able to give a straight answer. Go crawl back inside the same ass you’re pulling these numbers from, pal. #GoldStarHighway

      • Jake Caffret

        July 9, 2020 at 5:18 pm

        So Canary Commenter, what numbers do you rely on for guidance on mask use? The ones Fred presented are from solid sources. Keep in mind also, that if we start rejecting what the majority of scientists say on a particular subject, it can lead to a slippery slope. Let’s say one of your relatives is diagnosed with breast cancer, or prostate cancer, or CRC, and the science on treatment protocols shifts slightly. Do you reject them? Do you not trust the oncologist? Do you reject the scientific recommendations just because they have changed? I can’t even believe I’m asking this question!!! Scientific advances, well, by definition, are constantly changing!!! Pick up that little device that we use to call people on as a reminder.

        • PTFloridians

          July 9, 2020 at 9:08 pm

          Your “solid sources” (not cited) are obviously ones that you n Fred agree with. There is evidence to support either debate, regarding effectiveness and health issues resulting from mask use/overuse.
          This is getting old…your perpetuation of certain narratives are getting old…your hijacking of “snowflake” to use on Conservative thinkers is hijacking, because it sounds like you are one…the word “science” has been hijacked to support particular narratives, but is disregarded to support an opposing viewpoint….it’s getting old…
          Oh, BTW, since you mentioned Governors and “science” in a post below, i just wanted to let you know that Guv Wolf is responsible for TWICE the deaths with HALF the population, when you compare PA to FL, and Guv DeSantis…let that sink in.

          • Canary Commenter

            July 9, 2020 at 11:03 pm

            Can you ever remember a time when the term “science” was used so simplistically. All these people want to sound so smart and then they say something so juvenile like “I’ll trust science” or “You don’t believe in science” as if that’s possible. Not sure why we even put much stock in what people who repeat the narrative of the day without even questioning or thinking.

        • Canary Commenter

          July 9, 2020 at 10:59 pm

          You should cite the Facebook posts from which you copy and paste this garbage.

  25. Robert Anderson

    June 29, 2020 at 1:22 pm

    Dude seriously you should exercise your freedom by not wearing a mask and licking every public door handle in a 50 mile radius. Then throw big family reunion and french kiss your nana.

    That will show them!

    TRUMP 2020! Lets show those commie libs who’s right. Lets all die together over a mask debate!

    • Canary Commenter

      June 29, 2020 at 1:23 pm

      Dude, just reporting what the Governor said back on this date. Maybe you should go lecture #CommieTommy on the virtues of face masks.

    • PTFloridians

      June 29, 2020 at 3:07 pm

      What a Richard…

  26. Jake Caffrey

    July 6, 2020 at 3:28 pm

    The writer, and many who comment here, are using the mask mandate as a way to express their unhappiness that Wolf got elected. So snowflakes, get over it. Vote him out if you don’t like him. But ignoring science over a lost election is like a toddler stamping their feet when they don’t get what they want.

    Check out what Republican governors have done in the last week. Should they be voted out?

    This is absolute opinion, and includes missing and misleading information. Case in point: what the scientific community says about mask use. The articles implies (“one says yes…another no”) that scientists are roughly evenly split on the importance of mask use in public. This objectively NOT the case. The preponderance of scientists are in agreement that there is some level of benefit to mask use in public. Most agree that the benefit is substantial. And yes, this can be discovered with a quick “internet search.” What is almost comical in this article and many comments is that many attribute the recommendation to Wolf. Wolf is not a scientist; he does what a responsible elected official does: he disseminates information from experts.

    Clearly, Pennsylvania is not alone (now more than ever) in its public mask policy. So it has NOTHING to do with our governor; it has everything to do with science.

  27. Jake Caffret

    July 6, 2020 at 3:32 pm

    “If someone wants to wear a mask, they can. If not, surely the store owner would not want to get in the way of a paying customer who just wants to pop in, spend their money, and leave.”

    This demonstrates the ignorance of the writer. I think the articles on mask use are written so a third grader can understand, so I assume the writer has chosen NOT to read the reasons for mask use: it’s NOT about protecting the wearer. It’s to prevent the wearer from spreading the virus if they are asymptomatic, presymptomatic or even with symptoms and actively infected but they go out anyway.

    • PTFloridians

      July 10, 2020 at 8:35 am

      The particle size of the virus is significantly smaller than the pore size of your paper/cotton mask.
      …it’s like trying to keep mosquitos out of your property with a chainlink fence.
      …your mask is causing you irreparable mental and respiratory harm.

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