Virtual roundtable discusses opening state’s economy

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA), of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care chairman, and U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) recently held a virtual roundtable to discuss how to reopen the state’s economy safely.

“It’s been my view, for some time now, that Pennsylvania is ready to reopen,” Toomey said. “Our governor, of course, has taken some modest steps. I think by our rough estimates, more than half of Pennsylvania is still effectively in a lockdown, and I think it is time we move this along.”

The state’s stay-at-home order has had a negative economic impact. Nearly 80 percent of the state’s small businesses have had revenue fall by more than 50 percent, while 63 percent are at risk of closing permanently in the next five months, according to a National Trust for Historic Preservation report.

Toomey and Smucker questioned a panel of experts comprised of Steve Massini, Penn State Health CEO; Rev. Georgette Morgan-Thomas, of American Hats owner; Joshua Parsons, of Lancaster County Commissioners Chairman; and Tonia Ulsh, of Mountz Jewelers, co-owner and COO.

Massini testified that hospitals in Hershey and Reading have seen a 50 percent decrease in COVID-19 patience since mid-April.

Parsons said the county has used federal funding to decontaminate nursing homes.