Gov. Tom Wolf's advice to use any means necessary to encourage constituents to get the COVID-19 vaccine is being largely ignored by some elected officials in the county.

Wolf said in a recent news release that he and members of the bipartisan COVID-19 Task Force sent a letter to all members of the state General Assembly as well as county officials and other leaders asking them to support vaccination efforts and encourage their constituents to get vaccinated against the virus.

The letter called on officials to use all means at their disposal — including social media, newsletters and events — to connect with constituents and encourage them to get the vaccine.

“Part of serving the public is ensuring that our constituents have accurate and timely information on public health risks like the delta variant of COVID-19,” Wolf said in the release.

Butler County was recently bumped up to the “substantial” transmission level by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention because of an increase in the number of cases and percent of positive tests the county has experienced.

The county saw 100 new cases from July 26 to Aug. 1 and a positive test percent of 4.33% from July 24 to 30.

State Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, said her constituents are aware the vaccine is available and can easily access it if they want to.

Mustello said she would be against mandating the vaccine and favors personal choice regarding the shot.

“I encourage people to listen to their doctors and advocate that vaccines are readily available, so they can make the decision for themselves,” Mustello said.

Advice of professionals

Leslie Osche, county commissioners chairwoman, said she has and will continue to rely on the advice of medical professionals and not elected officials regarding the virus and stopping its spread.

“It is the commissioners' feeling right now that what we want to do is support whatever the medical community is doing in our county,” Osche said.

She said the board will likely meet with BHS doctors at the Butler Health System this week to discuss the county's case numbers.

“The message is better coming from them,” Osche said. “It's just a matter of how we enforce that message.”

Commissioner Kevin Boozel favors engaging all community leaders to encourage the vaccine, including faith-based, individual doctors, schools, coaches, scout leaders and others.

“The reality is that 97% of the people being treated in hospitals for COVID-19 are not vaccinated,” Boozel said. “We need to separate the politics from the science.”

Ordering masking

He said Wolf has stated he has no intention of ordering masking, but recommended that leaders follow CDC guidelines.

“I think the  CDC is fluid in making decisions and recommendations,” Boozel said. “Many counties have moved to the 'substantial' level.”

Boozel said the airport he used Wednesday required masking in the building and on airplanes.

“If we want to stay open, we need to take personal responsibility,” he said. 

Bob Dandoy, the Butler City Council member in charge of public safety, said he did not receive the governor's letter, but he advocates to his constituents to get the vaccine in an effort to more quickly stop the spread of the virus and get things back to normal.

“It's a simple thing for people to do to avert looming catastrophe that could happen,” Dandoy said.

State Sen. Scott Hutchinson did not respond to questions about Wolf's letter.