Northampton County Prison (NCP) and Gracedale Nursing Home have maintained facemask policies since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. NCP continues to be closed to volunteers and visitors. Gracedale Nursing Home allows for visits from family members and compassionate visits if they are scheduled in advance. All volunteers are required to be vaccinated.
The reason for this mandate is explained by Judge Dally in his Administrative Order. He is following recent CDC guidance and is acting to provide for the "safety of court personnel, court users and the public."
CDC guidance as of July 27 provides as follows: "To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission." Judge Dally notes that, as of August 5, "the level of community transmission in Northampton County is 'high.'"
In addition to the mask mandatye, Judge Dally's Order bans entry at court-related facilities by persons who (1) are supposed to be in quarantine or self-isolation; (2) are diagnosed with Covid-19; (3) are experiencing flu-like symptoms; or (4) refuse to wear a mask.
The mask must cover both mouth and nose, and must be worn regardless of physical distance from others.
People who afre unable to wear a mask for medical reasons and children under age two are exempt.
“It is unfortunate that the County must re-impose its facemask policy but, with the number of cases rising and the increase in hospitalizations, it is necessary to protect public health,” said McClure. “I encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated. The sooner we reach herd immunity, the sooner we can break the back of this pandemic.”
This mask mandate begins and ends at county-owned facilities. Neither the Executive nor the courts have the power to impose a county-wide mask mandate.
Statewide, the Pa. Department of Health lifted its universal mask mandate on June 28. That was prior to the Delta variant surge. Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has warned that, unless 90% of the population is vaccinated, there is "ample" chance for a new, and even deadlier, variant."
In the interest of brevity, I will simply cite a couple sources with regard to Fauci's statements on masks, and, on herd immunity:
ReplyDeleteOp-Ed: Why Did Fauci Move the Herd Immunity Goal Posts?
— Scientists play a dangerous game when they tailor factual statements to promote policy goals
by Vinay Prasad, MD, MPH December 29, 2020
https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/vinay-prasad/90445
March 2020: Dr. Anthony Fauci talks with Dr Jon LaPook about COVID-19
In March, Fauci told 60 Minutes that masks should largely be reserved for healthcare providers. In April, the recommendations were broadened to include simple masks for the general public.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/preventing-coronavirus-facemask-60-minutes-2020-03-08/
How Much Herd Immunity Is Enough?
Scientists initially estimated that 60 to 70 percent of the population needed to acquire resistance to the coronavirus to banish it. Now Dr. Anthony Fauci and others are quietly shifting that number upward.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/24/health/herd-immunity-covid-coronavirus.html
But he will be on stage at Covidfest to get introduced during the super spreader event.
ReplyDeleteNow it's 90%? Do I hear 95? Let's keep moving goal posts. Crisis ain't over 'til authoritarians say it's over. 600 statewide hospitalizations. There are nearly 13 million people in PA.
ReplyDeleteBernie, why is Judge Dally “acting?”
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to be denied access to the court system for refusing to be vaccinated? We're accepting exceptions to Constitutional rights for the greater good. What about this?
ReplyDeleteGet rid of the fraud Faucci and bring back Dr Suess
ReplyDeleteDoc Roc, As circumstances on the ground change, so does guidance. The objective is to save your life.
ReplyDelete"Is it possible to be denied access to the court system for refusing to be vaccinated? "
ReplyDeleteYou simply have to accept the consequences of your actions. If you refuse to wear a mask and have no medical reason for that refusal, you are unable to enter a county facility. The county also requires people who enter to be clothed, and I know of no lawsuits by naked people about being denied access.
Glad to hear so many are on to the ‘moving the goal posts’ tendency. Remember back when the primary goal was just to make sure hospitals do not become overwhelmed? Dr, Fauci no longer has credibility with me. Glad to see so many states deciding to make their OWN decisions about what is best. I really don’t care if someone else is masked-up. None of my business. I can just stay a distance from them. Besides, I did what was asked of me. Got the injections. They work, right?
ReplyDeleteJoel, Hope all is well! I believe President Judge Koury is simply unavailable for a few days.
ReplyDelete" Glad to see so many states deciding to make their OWN decisions about what is best."
ReplyDeleteThen you are in agreement with CDC guidance.
"Dr, Fauci no longer has credibility with me."
He never did bc he dared to contradict your hero, Donald Trump.
"Besides, I did what was asked of me. Got the injections. They work, right?"
I am glad you are willing to do what is asked of you. If you wish to enter a county facility, you need to mask up bc Covid rates are high in NorCo. Vaccines are highly effective, but less so against the Delta variant. Moreover, the CDC has learned that vaccinated people can carry just as much Delta in nasal passages as the unvaccinated. So the CDC wants you mask up indoors and cover your nose if in an area with a high number of cases like NorCo.
Donald Trump has been out of office for around 7 months. Not a part of current decision making. Fauci, on the other hand, has been too inconsistent in his advice. He flip-flops too many times. I don’t believe the cloth masks really provide much protection, given that one’s eyes remain fully exposed. But, I can see where wearing a mask through this comforts some. Have at it! I will continue to avoid businesses where a mask is required.
ReplyDeleteAll left wing propaganda to control the American people
ReplyDeleteFauci's own words:
ReplyDelete"When polls said only about half of all Americans would take a vaccine, I was saying herd immunity would take 70 to 75 percent," Fauci said. "Then, when newer surveys said 60 percent or more would take it, I thought, 'I can nudge this up a bit,' so I went to 80, 85."
That was an opinion, not science.
"Right now, people should not be [wearing masks]... there is no reason to be walking around with a mask. When you're in the middle of an outbreak, wearing a mask might make people feel a little bit better and it might even block a droplet, but it's not providing the perfect protection that people think that it is. And often, there are unintended consequences -- people keep fiddling with the mask, and they keep touching their face."
That was an opinion, not science.
In both cases, Fauci's (significant) change in opinion was driven by policy goals. Not science.
Funny that PADOH says we have only an average daily hospitalization rate of 130. You'd think it'd be much higher. Comparatively, PennDOT says that we have 160 traffic injuries per day.
ReplyDeleteAnd CDC still says we have only about 130K deaths out of an under-65 population of 270,000,000 for a 99.96% chance of *not* dying of COVID.
Apparently, Cases doesn't correlate in any meaningful way to actual morbidity and mortality, including, as they do, false positives, asymptomatic infections, and minor bouts of the sniffles. It would seem it is a metric used by propagandists to inflame rather than inform.
Perhaps the voting, taxpaying public deserves a better metric so as to be educated rather than indoctrinated.
I figured this would rile up the “my personal rights” group. Try to evolve into a thinking organism… as the medical folks learn more about the virus the guidance will change, as the virus changes the guidance will change. Fauci would like to keep you alive in spite of yourself and what you “feel.” Sometimes I’m not sure it’s worth the effort. I would like to see the insurance companies step in here and address the anti-vaxers. If you choose not to prevent this disease by getting vaccinated we choose not to cover you and pass the costs on to our vaccinated customers.
ReplyDelete"In addition to mask mandate, Judge Daly bans entry ........ (4) refuse to wear a mask"
ReplyDelete"People who are unable to wear a mask for medical reasons and children under the age of 2 are exempt"
Does anyone else see a very conflicting idea with these statements. Because these also have been used by CDC.
So nice I don't have to disclose my medical condition to anyone I do wish to disclose to.
In my opinion, this will cost Lamont the election in November. Last year we seemed to follow what the PA DOH recommended. Why has that changed?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, this will cost Lamont the election in November. Last year we seemed to follow what the PA DOH recommended. Why has that changed?
ReplyDeleteLuynch will get the anti-maskers and anti-vaxers and lose the election.
ReplyDeleteClothing and decorum are one thing. Injecting people with something in order for them to get a fair trial or access to the legal system is a bridge too far for me. Battered woman who refuses to be vaxxed (perhaps she's concerned about future childbearing, or a person of color who knows our sad history with experimentation on blacks) needs vax to get PFA? I don't like that. We went from flatten the curve to denial of access to the legal system in 17 months. I don't like anti-vaxxers. But WTF.
ReplyDeleteYou do not need a vaccine to get a PFA. Geez
ReplyDeleteI think we should allow naked people to go anywhere they like. I need the distraction.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteAll left wing propaganda to control the American people
August 6, 2021 at 9:18 AM
Well, my particular goal is to achieve a global leftist dictatorship through masks. We strike at Halloween!
Funny how we get "the science is settled," until authoritarian impulses require a pivot to "the science is evolving." Lol. The dogma is evolving and Bernie's a newly minted minister of defense! Screw blogging. This has to be a lot more fun. It certainly is fun to read.
ReplyDeleteAll left wing propaganda to control the American people
ReplyDeleteOMG all the government is doing is requiring some to wear a simple mask. It's not like they're taking kids right after high school drafting them into the military to go fight in some foreign land where they could lose their life.
What the hell kind of nation have we become when people resist the government trying to keep them healthy and alive instead of sending them off to war? What's wrong you people!
So nice I don't have to disclose my medical condition to anyone I do wish to disclose to.
Not if you lived back then and were drafted. You became military property. Shame we've become this self centered. What's so special about your "medical condition" you don't want anyone else to know. Hiding something?
Left wing politics are winning --look at the country--no border, no safe cities, poor foreign policy,inflation and covid in Texas because of Bidens polocies.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you who are SO concerned about someone else having/not having received the injections, I say mind your own business. To be constantly harping about any other person’s choice, I believe you are looking for VALIDATION for what YOU chose to do. You are influenced by ‘Herd Mentality.’
ReplyDeleteJust try to relax. Not everyone will get the injections, so get used to it. Take whatever additional precautions YOU believe necessary for YOU.
One thing that has remained constant (and proven scientifically) throughout the pandemic has been that those most at-risk of serious illness, or, death are the elderly and those of all ages with co-morbidities (diabetes, obesity, heart disease, compromised immune systems as examples).
ReplyDeleteSo, Job One should have been to protect the most vulnerable.
How did PA do protecting the most vulnerable? As of today, more than 92% of all deaths from COVID have been among Pennsylvanians over the age of 60. More than 48% of all deaths have been among residents of Long-Term Care Facilities. More than 1 in 6 LTCF residents has died from COVID (how's Gracedale doing, by the way?). Meanwhile, Pennsylvanians under the age of 50 have accounted for only 2.5% of all deaths. And, we don't know how many of those folks had co-morbidities as PA DoH does not report that.
I leave it to you to decide how well PA has done protecting those most at-risk.
We have the anti-vaxxers to thank for this. We should be trying to eradicate COVID like we did polio and smallpox.
ReplyDeleteLVCI - we have become a narrow minded country following our leadership of what is in it for me and what can I get for free or steal for myself. And we have become a country of cultist following fups failures adn fools who historically would have been pushed aside for those of better mind, and integrity.
ReplyDelete@3:10
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read your post I read that you said we should eradicate the anti-vaxers. If Covid has it way it may just happen for many Considering the population and the number not vaccinated and the number of deaths. We probably will see another couple hundred thousand or so deaths above average in the next year or so from COVID. So that might put a dent in the antivaxers which many are complaining about.
Left wing politics may be winning the short game, but with fewer than 40% of minorities vaccinated and the left requiring papers to work or participate in society, the long game won't be good for them. Minorities will be inordinately targeted and may finally grow fed up with left whites who say they're helpng.
ReplyDeleteLVCI said
ReplyDelete"OMG all the government is doing is requiring some to wear a simple mask. It's not like they're taking kids right after high school drafting them into the military to go fight in some foreign land where they could lose their life.
"What the hell kind of nation have we become when people resist the government trying to keep them healthy and alive instead of sending them off to war? What's wrong you people!"
Oh, like World War II? False dichotomy. I guess we should just have let Hitler run amuck in Europe, and the Japanese in Asia.
Some things are worth risking your life for. Thank your parents and grandparents for understanding this. You wouldn't be here if not for their sacrifices.
Well if folks keep playing around
ReplyDeletehttps://www.beckershospitalreview.com/supply-chain/florida-hospitals-struggling-to-get-oxygen.
"Florida hospitals are struggling to get enough oxygen to treat their COVID-19 patients as virus cases surge because of the delta variant, Bloomberg reported Aug. 4."
and
https://abc13.com/covid-houston-hospitals-wait-times
"The code means its emergency department is so saturated with acutely ill patients that ambulances are being diverted.
"Right now, if you're not on death's door with the most critical situation ... very high likelihood you'll have to wait in our waiting room," he said."
2.09
ReplyDelete" Not everyone will get the injections, so get used to it. Take whatever additional precautions YOU believe necessary for YOU."
Yup for starters no vax no air travel.
truck drivers no vax no work,
I seem to remember when testing for drugs was so critical, that it was mandated for industries
even remotely critical to the US.
Seems a pandemic response would be a higher priority than looking for drug users.
So stick it or get kicked
1.44
ReplyDelete" covid in Texas because of Bidens polocies."
Well the Texas gov can mask up, vaccinate all Texans and fight the good fight.
They can be the "Wall of patriots" stopping Covid in it's tracks.
After all if you leave yourself open to infection you just do not love Texas enough
Racist
ReplyDelete9:24 - If additional restrictions are put in place. I’ll just find an alternative way to achieve the same benefit. Like no more travel that can’t be done by driving, adjusting for delayed deliveries due to fewer drivers, no more dining out, etc., etc. Who knows? I might even move to a different nation. YOU just do YOU. I’ll just do me.
ReplyDeleteI hear a very interesting description of what is going on in virus world that the right wing and gun lovers can understand. Of course they will pick on the analogy but it is pretty simple and should be easily understood. Think of your actions and no actions as chambers in a pistol. For the purpose of this your revolver has 10 chambers.
ReplyDeleteCovid being out there puts 3 bullets in those chambers
Having underlining conditions as a bullet
Not wearing a mask adds a bullet
Going to crowded spaces with lots of other non-mask wearing people adds a bullet
Getting the vaccine takes a bullet out
Wearing a mask takes a bullet out
Keeping you distance from people when out or reducing your integration with people in general takes a bullet out.
So randomly loading the revolver with the associated number of bullets based on your choices. After loading you spin the drum. Then you roll a dice every time you go out . If you get a 6 you point it at your head, a 5, at your chest, a four or less at one of your arms and legs. And then you pull the trigger and the consequences be what they be.
Wolf it took him a long time but he learned must be the ivy league education--no masks in school they do not work--the guy in new jersey is an idiot--left wing control freak.
ReplyDelete8:42 - my best advice, based only upon your apparent fear, is to stay in bed. Pull the covers over your head. You know, if that’s what you need to do, I’m OK with all of it and will not criticize or call you names. Please show me the same tolerance and respect.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteI hear a very interesting description of what is going on in virus world that the right wing and gun lovers can understand. Of course they will pick on the analogy but it is pretty simple and should be easily understood. Think of your actions and no actions as chambers in a pistol. For the purpose of this your revolver has 10 chambers.
Covid being out there puts 3 bullets in those chambers
Having underlining conditions as a bullet
Not wearing a mask adds a bullet
Going to crowded spaces with lots of other non-mask wearing people adds a bullet
Getting the vaccine takes a bullet out
Wearing a mask takes a bullet out
Keeping you distance from people when out or reducing your integration with people in general takes a bullet out.
So randomly loading the revolver with the associated number of bullets based on your choices. After loading you spin the drum. Then you roll a dice every time you go out . If you get a 6 you point it at your head, a 5, at your chest, a four or less at one of your arms and legs. And then you pull the trigger and the consequences be what they be.
So, by your arithmetic, the only way I can be assured of not getting COVID is to get the vaccine, wear a mask (always), have no underlying co-morbidities, and quarantine myself alone with no human contact whatsoever.
If I don't always wear a mask while quarantining alone after getting the vaccine, I still have a 1 in 10 chance of getting a severe enough case of COVID to require hospitalization?
I guess you don't believe those vaccines are all they're cracked up to be.
9.12
ReplyDelete"--no masks in school they do not work-"
well try
https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/07/health/us-coronavirus-saturday
"In Florida, which has the second-highest rate of new cases per capita after Louisiana, children's hospitals and staff are "overwhelmed," said Dr. Aileen Marty, an infectious disease expert at Florida International University."
"Marty noted that Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami is at 116% occupancy for Covid-19 patients."
And
https://www.ajc.com/news/gwinnett-district-reports-88-cases-of-covid-19-on-first-day-of-school
"The Cobb County district reported 185 active cases in schools since classes began Monday, according to the district’s website."
"The Gwinnett cases involve 147 students and 19 school district employees, according to reports posted on the district’s website."
Doc Roc
ReplyDelete"So, by your arithmetic, the only way I can be assured of not getting COVID is to get the vaccine, wear a mask (always), have no underlying co-morbidities, and quarantine myself alone with no human contact whatsoever."
Pretty much you hit it on the head. The actual key is the last part by staying away from others. Everything else is a roll of the dice but you increase your odds of having bigger issues the less you do to protect yourself.
And to your point. Per the pharmaceutical companies. The current vaccines only have a certain protection factor from catching the original virus, and certain reduction in that virus becoming a critical scenario. And those same vaccines have a different level of protection from the Delta variant or any other variant which comes up next and their associated impacts on the individuals who get it.
See the notes below from Comparing the COVID-19 Vaccines: How Are They Different?
[Originally Published: February 24, 2021; Updated: August 4, 2021]
https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/covid-19-vaccine-comparison
Experts continue to learn about Pfizer’s efficacy both in the laboratory and in the real world. Pfizer’s initial Phase 3 clinical data presented in December showed its vaccine to have 95% efficacy. In April, the company announced the vaccine had 91.3% efficacy against COVID-19, based on measuring how well it prevented symptomatic COVID-19 infection seven days through up to six months after the second dose. It also found it to be 100% effective in preventing severe disease as defined by the CDC, and 95.3% effective in preventing severe disease as defined by the FDA. Another study, not yet peer-reviewed, provided more new data that brought the efficacy number down to 84% after 6 months, although efficacy against severe disease was 97%.
For the Moderna Vaccine greater than 90% efficacy against cases of COVID-19 and more than 95% against severe cases, with approximately 6 months median follow-up after the second dose, according to the company. Earlier Phase 3 studies showed Moderna to be 94.1% effective at preventing symptomatic infection in people with no evidence of previous COVID-19 infection (although the efficacy rate drops to 86.4% for people ages 65 and older). In late March, a small CDC study that enrolled 3,950 health care personnel, first responders, and other essential and frontline workers showed the vaccine to be 90% effective upon full immunization (at least 14 days after the second dose) in real-world conditions.
For the J&J version 72% overall efficacy and 86% efficacy against severe disease in the U.S., according to analyses posted by the Food and Drug Administration in February. Experts are still learning about how the vaccine works in real-world conditions.
@10:19 I know a few people who have had your same opinion (Anti mask, Anti Vax, etc) who have changed their thoughts after the fact and more specifically a neighbor who's whole family thought like you until he came home with it then infected his wife who went to the hospital for 2 months, infected his son, infected his mother who died , and infected his mothers law who also died. His statement after the fact was it really sucked that he had gotten it and been in the hospital but it sucked even more when he realized that he had given it to his wife and son. And it really sucked that he had given it to his mother in law who his wife still blames him for killing, and also that he gave it to his mom who died after months in the hospital.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you are not a carrier and a transfer agent then it is all pretty good. But what if you become one!
I've hosted enough comments on this topic and am shutting it down. You've all seen why I moderate. Can'r believe sopmeone actually thinks it's ok to kill people just bc their views differ. This is not patriotism. It is disgusting. I want to be able to enjoy my bikecation
ReplyDelete