Lehigh County commissioners, meeting via Zoom on May 27, once again heard a motion from Commissioner Nathan Brown to urge Gov. Tom Wolf to move Lehigh County from COVID-19 red phase to yellow phase earlier than June 5.

Unlike at the previous meeting his motion received a second, so the issue moved to a discussion.

This time Commissioner Dr. Percy Dougherty seconded Brown’s motion.

“This time, it is only asking Gov. Wolf to reconsider,” he said. “It’s not forcing the governor to do anything.”

Brown, who sponsored the motion, the explained his reason.

“I simply want us to ask Gov. Wolf to reassess before June 5 and open up as soon as possible,” Brown said.

Brown said he had the support of the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and St. Luke’s University Health Network which, according to Brown, say they are ready to move into the yellow phase.

“The yellow phase is still very restrictive,” Brown said. “You go from 10 people gathering to 25 people gathering.”

Commissioner Zakiya Smalls said she supported the motion because the number of cases has decreased and she is anxious to see businesses reopen.

Commissioner Amy Zanelli said she knows the governor is assessing the plan on a daily basis.

“This [motion] sounds like we don’t believe the governor is reassessing on a daily basis and that’s not true,” Zanelli said. “In a way it’s almost insulting.”

Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong addressed the board.

“We have been contacting [state Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel] Levine and members of the [governor’s] cabinet and they are listening to us. That is one of the reasons we are going from red to yellow.”

Armstrong said the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce supports the governor’s current plan.

He pointed out the inequity of large retailers being open with long lines of people who are not following social distancing with small retailers, such as Kleckner and Sons Appliances and Electronics, not allowed to open.

“They [Kleckners] could handle the social distancing and the masks even better,” Armstrong said. “We used the argument that you can go to Target and get running shoes, but you can’t go to the running store in Emmaus.

“We have a responsibility to get our small businesses open but we have do it in the most safe way.

“As a county, we have already let the governor know we would appreciate him looking at us every day.”

Commissioner Geoff Brace was concerned the proposed action was a motion, while commissioners usually express concerns via resolutions.

“The lack of public notification on this is a significant concern,” he said.

Registered nurse and respiratory therapist with 30 years experience, Christine Loch, spoke to the board.

“I think a lockdown was essential until we got our hands around and understood this novel virus,” Loch said.

“We have no treatment for it and we have no effective vaccine.

“I think we need to frame this as a health issue and not as a business issue.”

“What are we doing to ensure businesses do follow the protocols?” she asked. “Every life is priceless and we have no right to put a price on it.”

Personal trainer Gwen Sagula of Emmaus spoke to commissioners saying she is self-employed and has not received a dime for unemployment benefits.

Slatington resident Lauren Ganser said Wolf was basing a lot of his decisions on inaccurate data and listening to a doctor [Secretary of Health Rachel Levine, a pediatrician] who treats eating disorders.

Commissioner David Harrington said he wants to keep to a science-based plan.

The motion failed again in a bipartisan split. This time the vote was six against and two for the motion.

Commissioners who voted against the motion included Zanelli, Dan Hartzell, Bob Elbich, Harrington, Marc Grammes and Brace.

Voting for the motion were Brown and Smalls.

Dougherty did not vote because of technical issues with his Internet connection.

County Senior Operations Executive Rick Molchany explained to commissioners how he would partially reopen Lehigh County offices and facilities on June 8 around the principle of hygiene, social distancing, protective equipment and screening.