Lehigh Valley residents react to the end of the mask mandate

Lehigh Valley residents react to the end of the mask mandate

By Ben Stemrich

June 29, 2021

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The mask mandate was lifted across Pennsylvania on June 28. Gov. Tom Wolf announced last week that 75% of Pennsylvanians have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

As he walks through Trexler Park, Michael Hoff of Allentown says he is relieved.

“I’m really sort of feel like, finally, ya know,” Hoff says. 

Jerry Nespoli, a nurse in Allentown, thinks it might be too soon for some.

“I think it should only be lifted for people who are fully vaccinated, no one else. But if they choose to not wear their masks, they’re only hurting themselves,” Nespoli says. 

For some, the lifted mandate doesn’t change much, like a woman who didn’t want her name used out of concern for her job.

“I’m kind of living life, I’ve been doing everything I want throughout the whole entire pandemic year with the exception of huge social gatherings. So now I see everybody else being normal and free,” she says. 

John Seymour of Allentown has noticed a difference regarding going into businesses..

“Just took time, but normalcy is back. You know if a store says wear them, you put it on but if it says take it off that means they’re ready,” Seymour says. 

According to state data more than 11.5 million Pennsylvanians have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine.

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