Terry Mutchler Quoted in LNP | LancasterOnline

Terry Mutchler, Chair of Obermayer’s Transparency and Public Data Practice, was interviewed by LNP | LancasterOnline in connection with the media’s request for the release of data on COVID-19 death totals by ZIP code within Lancaster County.

The article “PA Department of Health fights requests to release COVID-19 death totals by ZIP code” by Ashley Stalnecker, published on December 30, 2021, focuses on the Right-to-Know request, filed by LNP | LancasterOnline reporter Nicole Brambila on Sept. 1 asking that the department provide aggregated data on COVID-19 infections, deaths and vaccinations by ZIP code within Lancaster County, information that could aid pandemic response efforts in counties lacking health departments. 

Terry, who has represented LNP | LancasterOnline in previous open-records cases, explained that it has been well established in the Right-to-Know Law that aggregated data should be publicly available. She also added that:

“…even if the law would fully support the department, the COVID-19 omicron variant is emerging internationally. “It seems to me that more information – not less – should be provided to the public” 

Read the full article here.