It was great to see the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry take a leadership role on what sometimes is considered a controversial issue. Last week, the agency began the #WhyIWearIt campaign that has a simple goal: ensuring businesses stay open.

“We support the wearing of masks to help all our local businesses stay in compliance with state orders, PA Department of Health and CDC guidelines,” John Papalia, director of Chamber Operations and Tourism, said. “We understand that the business community is faced with very difficult times, and are doing everything they can to stay open and run their business.

“By wearing a mask we help them to accomplish this goal, and we ask the community to help them as well. It is our hope that by wearing masks and following other recommendations and guidelines we can further slow the spread of COVID-19 and ultimately resume to a more normal way of life.”

We know the numbers regarding the virus have remained low in this region. That being said, Warren County cannot risk a spike at a time when schools are preparing to open and athletics may be starting up again.

Just as important, as Papalia noted, businesses are the core of keeping our economy moving.

We also offer a tip of the cap to partners in the #WhyIWearIt effort, including the Pa. Chamber of Business and Industry, Pa. Medical Society and the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania.