There was a bit of a mixed message in our daily battle against the coronavirus pandemic yesterday.
While deaths surged, with new one-day highs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, there also were some glimmers that maybe - just maybe - things could be starting to turn around.
Even at that, no one should expect a return to normal anytime soon.
In fact, I'm beginning to wonder just what is normal anymore, and more importantly what normal will be like when COVID-19 finally passes.
The stark news from Pennsylvania yesterday included word that the Keystone State had recorded another 78 deaths linked to the novel coronavirus. That shattered the previous one-day record.
The state reported another 1,600 more cases of COVID-19, with infections now reported in all of the state's 67 counties.
The previous single-day high death toll was 34. The state death toll now stands at 240.
Here in Delaware County, the numbers were equally grim. The county now has 898 positive cases of COVID-19, and the death toll stands at 20.
To reinforce that issue, Delaware County Council yesterday urged all residents to wear a protective mask when and if they leave their house.
“The statewide stay-at-home order remains in effect and wearing a mask should not be considered an alternative,” Delaware County Council Chairman Brian Zidek said. “Travel outside of the home should still be limited to essential tasks such as work, a trip to the grocery store or pharmacy.”
During the order, residents can go outside, Zidek added, as long as they adhere to the guidelines of social distancing and wear a mask.
“When using a trail, at a park or walking in your neighborhood, stay at least 6 feet away from others and wear a cloth or homemade mask,” he said.
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