The stated goal and intent of the lockdown and stay-at-home order was to “flatten the curve” and prevent hospitals and the medical system from being overwhelmed. The number of new cases over the last several weeks in our region clearly demonstrate that has occurred.

When a nationally renowned doctor at UPMC says it’s time to reopen Allegheny County (Dr. Alan Wells, speaking to KDKA’s Andy Sheehan on April 27), I trust him more than Gov. Tom Wolf. Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald needs to grow a spine and lead a coalition of county commissioners from Western Pennsylvania to collectively tell the governor we are all reopening on May 15 with or without his blessing, and if he tries to stop us, we’ll see him in court.

Our leaders were elected to serve the interests of their constituents, and it’s obvious to me and many others that the continued lockdown is no longer in the best interests of the vast majority of citizens in Western Pennsylvania. What say you, Fitzgerald and county commissioners? The ball is in your court.

Jeff Hoener

Swissvale

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