Chester Countians urged to be model for rest of nation

WEST CHESTER » People have questions.

State Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19th, of West Whiteland, minority chair of the Senate Education Committee, held a virtual Town Hall last week to quell concerns about the novel coronavirus.

In total, 2,174 callers partook in the telephone event, said Adam Cirucci, director of communications and media for Sen. Dinniman.

“The people of this county have to unite,” said Dinniman.

On Thursday’s virtual Town Hall, joining the senator were Marian Moskowitz, chairwoman of the

Chester County Commissioners; Jeanne Casner, director of Chester County Department of Health; Kim Bowman, director of Chester County Department of Human Services; and Sandra Murphy, director of the Chester County Department of Aging.

They answered questions from constituents.

Many residents with questions and concerns regarding COVID-19 and the current response in Chester County and Pennsylvania participated in the live telephone Town Hall.

The meeting, held March 26, focused on the impacts of and response to the coronavirus outbreak, declared a “pandemic” earlier this month. As of Saturday, date compiled by the Chester County

Health Department indicated 116 cases of COV-19. The county has not yet recorded a death due to the virus.

“I know residents have serious questions and concerns about this unprecedented public health emergency. This is the opportunity to ask them and get answers,” Dinniman said on Wednesday, one day prior to the virtual Town Hall. “I expect to discuss school and business closures, economic impacts, public health resources, and support and outreach for senior citizens.”

Said Dinniman, “We have already received a lot of questions and expect to get a lot more. Know that my office will work with the county and others to ensure that everyone who calls in or submits questions gets them answered.”

Dinniman thanked the participants for calling to participate in the virtual Town Hall. Nearly a dozen people asked questions.

“We’re very fortunate to have a wonderful county staff and our commissioners have committed themselves to working handin-hand with myself and other legislators,” Dinniman said.

A caller named Beth asked how people can volunteer.

“I began to think to myself, lots of people are home now,” Dinniman responded. “What I’m trying to work out, and give us to the middle of next week on this, is the Chester County Corps — sorta like the Peace Corps.”

He said his office is working with the Chester County Commissioners to create a model to show how citizens here are reaching out offering to help.

“Part of the process is not just our front line emergency workers but each and every one of us has a talent. The goal is to see if we can get that talent can go out to the people and do so in a safe manner,” he said. “We as a nation have gone through many difficult situations.”

Dinniman said partisanship must end nationwide, to treat brother and sisters as one.

“You live in a great county,” Dinniman said of Chester County residents.

The senator, a veteran of 30 years in Pennsylvania politics, admitted the task was daunting.

“This is one of the most difficult situations I have ever seen,” Dinniman said. “We have persevered. We, the people of Chester County, can be models for the rest of this nation, as we’ve done in the past historically – we can live the very essence of our Quaker roots.”

To reach the office of Senator Dinniman call 610-692-2112 or visit www. senatordinniman.com or contact him via andy@ pasenate.com.