The COVID-19 pandemic has placed our top leaders in the position of sometimes “playing God.” They must decide which course of action to take in protecting all of us while still keeping an eye on the worst economic disaster that has afflicted our nation since the Great Depression.

When Gov. Tom Wolf decided to issue statewide stay-at-home orders and business closures, a majority of residents at first supported the move, even though it came at a steep personal sacrifice of lost jobs and freedom of movement.

After all, this was basically a question of balancing economics with possibly exposing us, our loved ones, co-workers and innocent community members to an unpredictable and sometimes deadly virus for which there is no cure or vaccine.

Wolf ordered a partial lockdown of the state in March then expanded it to all 67 counties on April 1. Last Friday, Wolf moved 24 of the counties from “red” to “yellow” status, and another 13 will do the same this Friday.

For our area, however, the stay-at-home order for all five Times News counties and others in the region has been officially extended to June 4.

For some business owners and state legislators this was the last straw. At least four counties, including Schuylkill, have decided to thumb their noses at Wolf’s directives and plan to arbitrarily include themselves with the group of 13 to transition into the “yellow” category this Friday. The others are Dauphin, Lebanon and Beaver counties.

If these four go through with their plans, they will join Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland.

All four of the rebel counties are led by Republicans who have been pressuring Wolf and the state Health Department led by its director, Dr. Rachel Levine.

Schuylkill’s notification to Wolf of its intention to defy his directive was signed by state Sen. David Argall, Reps. Jerry Knowles and Mike Tobash, all Republicans, and the three county commissioners. They said they have met Wolf’s original criteria of flattening the curve on the number of cases and not overwhelming the health care system.

A “yellow” designation means that most businesses and day care centers can reopen but must follow safe-distancing and face-covering rules.

Wolf was disappointed with the announced actions of the four and warned officials that they were “taking a chance with the lives of residents.” Wolf did not, however, threaten reprisals even though he can order his directives enforced.

There is a push on behalf of the four other counties in the Times News area to move from “red” to “yellow” before June 4, too.

Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, said he was disappointed that Carbon was not among the latest group to go to “yellow.” He said the number of cases in Carbon has dropped dramatically during the past few weeks and hospitalization rates have decreased.

Heffley said health officials in Carbon believe it is safe to reopen businesses by following the guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Carbon commissioners, however, do not plan to override Wolf’s ruling because they do not have that authority, according to a statement. “We’re committed to continued advocacy for an accelerated but responsible opening of businesses in Carbon County, keeping in mind that as county commissioners we don’t have the legal authority to unilaterally cancel any of the governor’s imposed restrictions to include authorizing the reopening of businesses,” the statement said.

Although they believe they are in a position to reopen before June 4, the commissioners are concerned that they will see an “onslaught of visitors/tourists from very high COVID-positive adjacent counties and the states of New York and New Jersey as their residents seek less restrictive recreational and dining activities.”

“I don’t know if our small businesses will survive if we wait until June 4,” Heffley said. Since cases are being tracked by ZIP code now, Heffley believes health officials can target any areas that might show a resurgence of the virus.

Not only are businesses being hit hard by the pandemic, but the state is showing an estimated $5 billion budget shortfall, more than the $4 billion after the Great Recession of 2008-09, Heffley said.

State Sens. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe and Northampton, and Lisa Boscola, D-Northampton and Lehigh, also are calling for Wolf to open local counties sooner.

For his part, Wolf said he understands this frustration. “I’m frustrated,” he said.

We are all frustrated. Everyone wants to move on, but will we do it at our own peril and at the peril of those around?

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com