Coronavirus

Rally to reopen planned outside Delaware County Courthouse

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Small business owners and supporters prepare to rally in Delco

MEDIA, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A rally to reopen Delaware County is planned for Thursday afternoon outside the courthouse in Media.

Pennsylvania State Rep. Steve Barrar is planning to attend the rally, as is 5th Congressional District Candidate Robert Jordan.

"I think we're waiting far too long to open Pennsylvania. The businesses are really suffering. The people are really suffering," Jordan said.

Jordan believes it's safe to start reopening the county.

"The reason our numbers are higher than some counties is that we have a high preponderance of nursing homes, and unfortunately those people have not been well-served by our governor and the system," Jordan said.

This week, Delaware County reported the region's highest 14-day rate of COVID-19 cases.

Some businesses say they must open or risk going under.

Rally planned in Delco Thursday afternoon to reopen small businesses

Wicked Cutz in Havertown, which opened on Wednesday, said they have no choice.

"I had to weigh my options; it was either risk getting a fine or risk losing my business," according to Danielle Strano.

Giovanni's Media Barber Shop also opened this week, where a receptionist was taking temperatures outside.

The stylists wear masks or face shields and other safety precautions are in place.

Initially, Giovanni's planned on opening May 9, but the owner said she was warned her occupancy certificate could be pulled and her license revoked, so she delayed opening until now.

The owner said she took a number of safety precautions.

"The people who don't want us to be open- stay home. If you feel more comfortable staying home, then stay home," Nichole Missino, the owner of Giovanni's, said. "No one is telling anybody to go out, but I feel like the people that want to get back to their normal lives - they all need to do that."

The Delaware County District Attorney's Office said it will not be handing out citations or sending officers to physically close down shops that defy executive orders.

Missino said her money is running out.

"Small businesses all over the state are closing one by one, and I keep seeing it every day. If I didn't open my doors, I'm going to lose my business. I'm still paying all the bills in this building because I'm able to, but my savings is dwindling down, and eventually there's not going to be any savings left," Missino said. "All these loans and these grants that they promised everybody, I haven't received anything."

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CASES

The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed Thursday 980 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 65,392.

There were 102 new deaths reported, bringing the state total to 4,869. Out of the total deaths, 3,234 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities.

Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

Nearly 1% are ages 0-4;

Nearly 1% are ages 5-12;

Nearly 2% are ages 13-18;

Nearly 6% are ages 19-24;

Nearly 37% are ages 25-49;

Nearly 26% are ages 50-64; and

Nearly 29% are ages 65 or older.

On Wednesday there were 746 additional positive cases and 143 new deaths.

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