At the January meeting of @Home in Adams County, community leaders summarized their organization’s responses to Covid over the past two years.

Meeting moderator and @Home coordinator Stacey Rice said the organization focuses on coordinating resources, advocating, and developing solutions for affordable living in Adams County.

Adams County Community Foundation President and Executive Director Ralph Serpe introduced the meeting and said his organization had worked through the pandemic to help people in the county, including launching a Relief and Recovery fund through which they gave about $165,000 to 22 organizations “to keep them going during the first summer.”

193rd House District Representative Torren Ecker said revenues at the state level were “pretty strong,” but that a lot of money has come from federal stimulus money. Torren said there were “structural deficits” in place at the state level that could cause problems going forward. He said he expected the state legislature to be talking a lot about infrastructure soon.

“We live in an awesome community,” he said. “I’m really proud to represent it.”

“Covid has impacted everyone on this call,” said County Commissioner Randy Phiel. Phiel said it was a challenge coordinating the many county agencies, but that “we have prevailed, overcoming these many constant challenges.”

Phiel said Covid had impacted the county in terms of recruitment, sustainability, and retention of staff members, particularly in the prison. “Covid has increased the cost of doing business,” he said.

Phiel pointed out the successful partnership with Wellspan Health in turning the County Department of Emergency Services Center into a Covid testing and vaccination site, and said the county election office had been “operating on steroids,” with staffing and costs providing challenges.

Phiel said the county had been involved in transparently distributing millions of dollars in Covid relief funds and that although the funds were welcomed their administration required significant work. He said the county had a 3-year fiscal plan in place that “puts us in a good position.”

County Commissioner Marty Qually said the county is forming an official broadband task force. “Now everyone knows we are in a very underserved area for broadband,” he said, and that funds for improvements were becoming available.

Michael Cogliano, President of Wellspan said across his system it was “nearly impossible to find a moment that has not been affected by the virus.” Cogliano said Adams, along with all other counties in the state, was still classified in the Covid “high spread” level by the CDC.

Noting that Covid hospitalizations had peaked in early January, Cogliano said they were down by 30 percent over the past weeks.

Cogliano said only 57.8 percent of county residents have received at least one vaccination dose and only 51 percent are fully vaccinated. He said masking, hand washing, and social distancing are still important. “Encouraging everyone to get the vaccine remains vitally important to stopping the surge of Covid 19,” he said.

Rabbittransit Executive Director Richard Farr said ridership had now recovered to about 86 percent of pre-pandemic levels. He said some cuts in service had been made including limiting non-medical trips to better meet needs for medical transport, and that the 15N route to Harrisburg schedule had been cut in half due to staffing.

Farr said the organization was experiencing larger than normal turnover and had increased the starting rate for drivers to $15 per hour. He said the organization was hiring and was expected to soon be at full staff for the first time in 3 years.

Farr said rabbittransit was still offering free rides for vaccines and boosters and providing transportation for those who are affected with Covid.

Destination Gettysburg President Karl Pietrzak said there had been a “big rebound” in tourism in the county in 2021 compared to 2020 and that it was now back to pre-Covid levels.

Pietrzak said staffing at Destination Gettysburg is now only about 50% of pre-Covid levels and encouraged people to support local businesses.

Gettysburg Area School District (GASD) Superintendent Jason Perrin thanked local organizations for their help, saying “learning is difficult when other needs aren’t being met.” He said most public schools in the county have remained in person this year, but that they are still seeing increases and decreases in cases. Perrin said GASD was offering enhanced and flexible remote learning options.

“Covid exacerbates things we were already seeing, including staffing and mental health issues. Mental health will be a big piece going forward. That’s not going away,” said Perrin.

Perrin said there was a shortage of available teachers and substitutes and encouraged people who had time to apply to be teachers. “Many fewer teachers are being graduated; we’ll be dealing with staffing going forward,” he said.

Adams Economic Alliance President Robin Fitzpatrick said her organization had worked through the pandemic to help the most vulnerable businesses through funding programs.

The goal now is to “Build Back Strong,” she said, noting a big issue facing county businesses is a lack of workers and that it was important to find out what is keeping people from working. Fitzpatrick said she was working with the United Way on childcare and HACC on training.

Speaking about the importance of childcare, Diana Fasnacht, Ready to Learn Director from the United Way of Adams County, said that because it’s so important for children, parents, and businesses “childcare is part of the community’s infrastructure.” Fasnacht said there was a shortage of quality childcare, leading to long waiting lists. She said the staffing problems had “impacted employers, impacted families, and impacted earnings.”

“Some daycares have had to shut down,” she said, and added that mental health issues, especially for children of preschool age, is now a “crisis.”

It’s overwhelming; there are still a lot of stressful times here for us,” said Dotty Dalphon, Executive Director of the YWCA of Gettysburg and Adams County. Dalphon said the YWCA is the largest daycare provider in the county.

Dalphon said membership at the Y is now at only 800 members – down from 2,000 prior to the pandemic – and that the Y was reevaluating its programs. She said a survey was available on the website for community members to give opinions about how the Y could best serve the community.

HACC President John “Ski” Sygielski, said enrollment has been down at the college for the first time in its history. He said 200 searches are underway for human relations and informational technology positions.

“We are staying at our current location, but may lease some space out,” he said. “We think our buildings probably will not go back to full use when we return to classes in May.”

Michael Baker, Director of Communication at Gettysburg College said the majority of the campus is vaccinated, and that vaccination is required for students. “We’re doing all we can to keep the semester as normal as possible,” he said.

Baker also said workforce has been an issue. “We’re experiencing significant shortages.”

SCCAP Executive Director Megan Shreve said county food shortages were easing. “We now have a pretty good flow of food coming in.” Shreve noted the continued need for housing assistance, and said there had been many issues with seniors who need help with rental assistance. Shreve said SCCAP can also provide assistance for childcare.

Shreve said her organization needs volunteers to help in the food pantry.

Charles Stangor

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Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.