Wolf reminds Pennsylvanians that masks are mandatory in most settings; GOP leaders challenge the rule

 Wolf reminds Pennsylvanians that masks are mandatory in most settings; GOP leaders challenge the rule

By Jen Rehill

July 6, 2020

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf is urging residents to wear masks, avoid large gatherings and maintain social distancing practices coming out of the holiday weekend. The warnings come as the state saw upticks in new coronavirus cases in multiple places across the state last week, especially in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Speaking last week, Wolf emphasized the importance of taking personal responsibility to prevent the spread of the virus.

“The sooner we can get to the point where we all, 13 million Pennsylvanians recognize, just as we do when it comes to smoking inside buildings or looking at the sun, or all the other things we do to reduce risk, then when we say we wear a mask, that’s one way we’re going to reduce the risk of infecting other people” says Wolf. 

Meanwhile, the partisan fight at the state Capitol over how best to respond to the virus has taken a new turn – as House Republican leaders object to the governor’s recently expanded mask order. Wolf’s mandate came last week, directing residents to wear face coverings anytime they leave home, including outdoors when social distancing is not possible. 

GOP leaders called the order “unenforceable,” and some members questioned the science behind using a mask to contain the virus.