As the COVID-19 virus is still spreading throughout the United States, more people across the nation are getting vaccinated and others are still taking precautions, such as wearing masks in public. 

On Tuesday Aug. 31, Pennsylvania’s Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam signed an order mandating face coverings to be worn in all k-12 schools. Even though many students and administrators in the state have received their vaccinations, it is believed that they are not protected against the new Delta variant, according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

 “The reality we are living in now is much different than it was just a month ago,” Beam said.

 Many people were against this new mandate, but funding could be cut if schools don’t follow through with wearing face coverings. Parents of students throughout Beaver County have been standing along sidewalks protesting against this new order.  All students and staff in the district have been wearing their face coverings ever since the mandate was put into place unless excused by a doctor’s note. 

“My office has received an outpouring of messages from parents asking the administration to protect all children by requiring masks in schools,” Governor Tom Wolf said. 

It is suggested that if you are not yet vaccinated that you should wear a face covering while in public to not only protect yourself from contracting the virus, but from spreading it to others. If you are exposed to the virus, the CDC recommends you quarantine yourself for 14 days. If you receive a negative test result, you can come out of quarantine on day seven instead of 14. It is best to get tested five days after exposure. 

On Sept. 13 there was reported to be 126,083 new cases of the COVID-19 virus, according to the CDC website. It has also been reported that there have been 989 deaths. Pennsylvania has 3,150 new cases. “Experts tell us that we’re going to see these cases rise in the weeks ahead — a largely preventable tragedy that will get worse before it gets better,” said President Joe Biden. According to The Beaver County Times, rates have been rising up to 12.8%. Beaver County has also reported seven deaths on Sept. 14. Allegheny County has reported 2,330 new cases and 11 deaths on Sept. 14 as well. 

As cases and deaths begin to rise again throughout the country, many people are making sure to take the proper precautions. Such as being aware of possible symptoms,  getting tested if they are experiencing them, wearing masks and face coverings, and staying home if they are sick. “We have the tools.  Now we just have to finish the job with truth, with science, with confidence, and together as one nation,” President Biden said.