Allegheny Co. Executive looks forward to community gatherings this summer, with COVID-19 protocols

PITTSBURGH — It has been one year since the COVID-19 pandemic changed the entire world.

In Allegheny County, leaders took immediate steps to help reduce the number of cases and the virus’ impact.

“It has been a very difficult year. 1,700 fellow Allegheny Countians have succumbed to this disease,” said Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Executive.

In the United States alone, more than half a million people have died due to complications from the virus.

Once the county learned a pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization, schools, businesses and sporting events were ordered to shut down and people were urged to stay at home.

Channel 11′s Rick Earle spoke with Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald about the tough decisions leaders had to make.

“Is this something we had to do. We had to shut down to save lives?” said Earle.

“Yes, absolutely. You know we reached a point close to overwhelming the capacity of our health care system,” said Fitzgerald.

The county executive says wearing masks and social distancing, a message he has preached during his weekly COVID-19 news conference, helped stop the spread of the disease.

Fitzgerald explained to Channel 11 the vaccines being offered are the key to returning to normalcy.

Allegheny County has opened two vaccination sites and they are prepared to open more as supplies are replenished.

“We’re telling people if you want to get back to normal. if you want to protect not just yourself but your family the vaccine is the safest way to do that. All medical experts are telling you that,” said Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald suspects with more people getting vaccinated, more restrictions may be relaxed by Memorial Day. He believes, county parks will reopen this year and July 4th celebrations will return.

“We really feel as we get toward Memorial Day this year and we head into summer, that we will be seeing normalization. I’m assuming yes by Independence Day, you will see fireworks displays, and people getting back together. We still might be wearing masks, and distancing to a certain degree,” said Fitzgerald.

Allegheny County executive Rich Fitzgerald talks about COVID-19 mandates Allegheny County executive Rich Fitzgerald talks about COVID-19 mandates

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