Motion expected on indoor masking at Allegheny Council meeting

PITTSBURGH — At Tuesday’s Allegheny County Council meeting, Councilmember Olivia Bennett is expected to make a motion.

That motion will urge the county’s health department to consider implementing a mask mandate for indoor gathering within the county, but only when the county’s COVID transmission rate is moderate.

“I’m in favor of it, because all you have to do is look at last year’s statistics on the flu and other diseases, and we were very low,” said Diane Restivo.

So how does this motion differ from the previous bill that was rejected a few weeks ago?

That bill was for any indoor or outdoor gathering with 250 people or more, and included fines.

This time it will be up to the health department to formally implement any mandates, rather than the council. This vote is to send the idea to the Board of Health.

“I think it would be good until at least the COVID numbers go down, then I think it’s a personal choice after that,” Restivo said.

But not everyone agrees.

“I don’t necessarily agree with wearing a mask all the time; if I’m vaccinated, that should be my choice. If people want to wear it, that’s good for them,” said Cecilia Ladd.

Channel 11 did reach out to the health department in response to the proposal but did not hear back.

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