‘Stay home, if you can.’ Gov. Wolf, state planning for major winter storm

Pennsylvania — State government and public safety officials on Tuesday warned residents to stay home as a winter storm heads to the area at the same time as the first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine are being distributed.

“Stay home, if you can,” said Gov. Tom Wolf. “When fewer people are on the road, personnel can do their jobs more safely.”

The first major storm of the season coinciding with the distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine to hospitals makes the situation complicated, but not impossible, Wolf said.

The state has activated its Commonwealth Emergency Response Center, with the priority being keeping Pennsylvanians safe and ensuring the vaccine is delivered to frontline hospital workers.

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“All of the shippers have a contingency plan in place for severe weather, said Randy Padfield, director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. “They can hold the shipment if it’s unsafe to travel, however, we have the ability to route them the best way to get to their destination.”

Seven or eight major vaccine deliveries are scheduled around the state tomorrow, with an even larger number slated for Thursday, right as the storm is expected to slam the state.

Wolf said the state is on track to receive 97,500 doses of the Pfizer vaccine for 66 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Philadelphia is one of the cities across the country to receive 13,650 doses from the federal government, Wolf said.

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The state National Guard will also be on hand to help coordinate the vaccine distribution while crews work to keep the roads clear. The state is also working with the federal Operation Warp Speed.

Check back with Severe Weather Team 11 for updates on the forecast.

“Anything we can do to provide safe transport of the vaccine to hospitals will benefit us all,” said Pennsylvania State Police Maj. Bruce Williams.

Wolf said the state hopes to have nearly 500,000 doses of the vaccine in hospitals and ready to inoculate frontline workers and members of vulnerable populations by the end of the month.

Cox Media Group