‘COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH April 21, 2020 ‘Members of the House of Representatives: I write today to alert you about the devastating impact HB 2376, PN 3566, would have on the public health of Pennsylvanians. The health and safety of the public is our deepest and most serious responsibility as public servants. With respect, and with that responsibility in mind, | urge you and your colleagues to consider the impact HB2376 will have on the pandemic response and associated loss of human life, Our statewide mitigation strategy, and Pennsylvanians” full participation in that strategy, has slowed the virus in areas of widespread community spread. There is reason for hope, but if we turn back from this strategy too soon, all of that progress could be lost, and we could find ourselves in a second wave of spiking daily case numbers. Allowing tens of thousands of retail establishments to reopen, even with the well-meaning limits established in the bill, will inevitably lead to more Pennsylvanians infected with COVID-19. The only way to shorten the length of time we need to weather these conditions is through aggressive social distancing. To continue to bend the curve and ensure we can adequately and equitably care for our friends and neighbors during this pandemic, people need to stay home ~ not patronize non-life sustaining retail establishments. Curbside pickup is a necessity for life-sustaining businesses such as grocery stores, take-out restaurants, and pharmacies, since it provides a less-risky way to get people food and medicine, What curbside pickup is not is a risk-free alternative to going into a store. One of the most important tools that we have at our disposal during this crisis is flexibility. Flexibility to review incoming data, continually reevaluate the impact of our mitigation strategy, and make adjustments when necessary to control an outbreak or lift restrictions when no longer needed. These decisions are best made under consultation with public health experts. While the Governor and I are as eager as anyone to begin getting back to normal as soon as possible, doing so in an uncoordinated and premature way will only increase the spread of the virus, further lengthening associated economic challenges, while also placing more lives at risk. Task, therefore, in the best interest of the public health, that you do not support this proposal or any other that ‘would dilute our statewide mitigation strategy. I deeply appreciate your consideration and your dedication to your constituents through this crisis, Sincerely, ). 7), Wa Rachel L, Levine, MD Secretary of Health RACHEL L. LEVINE, MD - SECRETARY OF HEALTH 625 Forser Street 6th Floor West | Health and Welfare Bulng | Harrisburg, PenneyWvania 17120 | 717.787.9867 | wwwcheatthpa.gov