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Coping with Corona: Self-isolation is as good as the company you keep

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Investigation ongoing in woman’s 2006 disappearance

With its request to move to the less restrictive yellow coronavirus yellow phase granted, Luzerne County Council cancelled its Friday night meeting to adopt a formal request seeking that change.
				Gov. Tom Wolf announced an hour before council&rsquo;s meeting that the county will be moving out of the most severe red phase next Friday.
				Council had planned to vote on a presentation to the governor arguing the county was ready to advance to the next stage due to its strong medical facility and testing capacity, declining cases and cooperation from residents and businesses.
				In a news release, council thanked Wolf and the state Department of Health for their consideration and decision.
				&ldquo;Only a month ago, Luzerne County was identified as one of the most COVID-19 positive counties in the state. Now, thanks to the hard work of our citizens, we are ready to move to the next step&rdquo; wrote council Chairman Tim McGinley.
				McGinley said the county&rsquo;s case decline would not be possible without cooperation with municipalities and the state.
				&ldquo;We also remember our loved ones, and I extend my deepest sympathies to the families or those who passed. We also cannot forget and extend our deepest gratitude to the medical community and all of the essential personnel on the front lines&rdquo; McGinley added.
				The county&rsquo;s next steps in the fight against coronavirus will be discussed at length at that May 26 council meeting, which starts at 6 p.m., he said.
				County Manager C. David Pedri said the county will continue monitoring directives from the state and federal government and medical experts because &ldquo;there is more work to be done.&rdquo;
				&ldquo;This is a step forward and a victory for our hardworking citizens. We are healing, but are not yet healed,&rdquo; Pedri said, thanking residents for their personal sacrifices.
				In its planned proposal to the governor, the county argued its four hospitals are not at capacity and have available intensive care beds, ventilators and personal protective equipment.
				Luzerne County Medical Society President Dr. Julio Ramos indicated his organization met and supports a plan to move the county to the yellow phase &ldquo;as long as the county&rsquo;s population continues to adhere to strict Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines such as social distancing and hand washing,&rdquo; it said.
				The county&rsquo;s four chambers of commerce have helped create a website, <a href="https://www.luzernecountyready.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">luzernecountyready.org</a>, for businesses to review government guidelines and locate vendors to obtain protective equipment.
				A decrease in cases that were &ldquo;some of the highest in the state&rdquo; largely stems from the cooperation and sacrifice of citizens, it said, promising that citizens will continue taking necessary precautions.
				County Councilwoman LeeAnn McDermott, who drafted the plan with input from others, said the news was &ldquo;wonderful.&rdquo;
				&ldquo;I&rsquo;m ecstatic. I&rsquo;m beyond happy,&rdquo; McDermott said.
				Even though the plan was never officially submitted to the state, McDermott said she doesn&rsquo;t regret the time and energy she put into drafting it because the county achieved the ultimate goal of moving to reopening.
				She also was encouraged some other counties will be entering the least restrictive green phase, saying Luzerne County also may reach that stage within a few weeks with a continued drop in cases.
				At her appraisal business, McDermott said she will keep employees spread out wearing masks, regularly wipe down spaces and keep hand sanitizer and other disinfecting supplies available.

Luzerne County Council meeting cancelled because push for fewer coronavirus restrictions granted