Reopening
First Pa. counties go green; all counties to partially reopen by June 5 https://whyy.org/articles/coronavirus-update-some-pa-counties-expected-to-be-allowed-to-emerge-from-lockdown/
AP-NORC poll: Many in U.S. won’t return to gym or dining out https://whyy.org/articles/ap-norc-poll-many-in-u-s-wont-return-to-gym-or-dining-out/
Trump deems churches ‘essential,’ calls for them to reopen https://whyy.org/articles/trump-calls-on-churches-to-reopen-this-weekend/
Trump lashes out at scientists whose findings contradict him https://whyy.org/articles/trump-lashes-out-at-scientists-whose-findings-contradict-him/
Camps, playdates, team sports: This is the Pa. state guidance on what kids can do in the yellow phase https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/camp-summer-kis-coronavirus-yellow-phase-different-parks-20200522.html
Pennsylvania prisons to begin lifting lockdowns without universal testing https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-state-prison-corrections-coronavirus-pandemic-covid-sci-huntingdon-community-spread-reopening-20200522.html
Philly Archdiocese plans to resume public Masses on June 6; top Pa. health official says increased testing makes metrics ‘less critical’ for reopening https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/live/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-nj-philadelphia-cases-deaths-update-news-20200522.html
Pennsylvania Race Track To Resume Racing, Flouting Shutdown https://www.wesa.fm/post/pennsylvania-race-track-resume-racing-flouting-shutdown
More Of Pennsylvania Emerges From Coronavirus Shutdowns https://www.wesa.fm/post/more-pennsylvania-emerges-coronavirus-shutdowns
Pa. National Guard is ready for anything, anywhere https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/05/23/PA-National-Guard-flyover-COVID-19-enlist-Army-Air-Force/stories/202005210148
After months of steep declines, air traffic is picking up https://www.witf.org/2020/05/23/after-months-of-steep-declines-air-traffic-is-picking-up/
Looking to fill a COVID-19 budget hole, backers push for video gambling in bars, restaurants https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/looking-to-fill-a-covid-19-budget-hole-backers-push-for-video-gambling-in-bars-restaurants-friday-morning-coffee/
Fauci says ‘prolonged’ stay-at-home orders could have ‘irreparable damage’: report https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/fauci-says-prolonged-stay-at-home-orders-could-have-irreparable-damage-report.html
Swimming during the pandemic: What the CDC wants you to know before you hit the pool https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200523/swimming-during-pandemic-what-cdc-wants-you-to-know-before-you-hit-pool
Coronavirus – COVID-19
State Clarifies How It Counts Coronavirus Cases https://www.wesa.fm/post/state-clarifies-how-it-counts-coronavirus-cases
Were hospitals unprepared for the pandemic? How are they planning for a 2nd wave? https://whyy.org/articles/were-hospitals-unprepared-for-the-pandemic-how-are-they-planning-for-a-2nd-wave/
Saying they’ve been ignored, nursing homes lay claim to latest federal COVID-19 funding https://whyy.org/articles/saying-theyve-been-ignored-nursing-homes-lay-claim-to-latest-federal-covid-19-funding-2/
Pa. officials warn of scams targeting unemployment benefit recipients during coronavirus pandemic https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/pa-officials-warn-of-scams-targeting-unemployment-benefit-recipients-during-coronavirus-pandemic.html
Antimalarial drug touted by Trump linked to increased risk of death in coronavirus patients, study says https://www.inquirer.com/health/hydroxychloroquine-coronavirus-increased-death-study-20200522.html
Philly and Pa. ordered millions of dollars of masks and protective gear. But much of it has not arrived. https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-mask-ppe-philadelphia-hospital-pennsylvania-20200523.html
Why is the coronavirus infection usually mild in children? Here’s a new clue https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-infection-mildness-children-possible-link-ace2-20200523.html
Scientists Say New, Lower CDC Estimates For Severity Of COVID-19 Are Optimistic https://www.wesa.fm/post/scientists-say-new-lower-cdc-estimates-severity-covid-19-are-optimistic
‘Last responders’ seek to expand postmortem COVID-19 testing in unexplained deaths https://triblive.com/news/world/last-responders-seek-to-expand-postmortem-covid-19-testing-in-unexplained-deaths/
Memorial Day 2020: Observing the holiday in the middle of COVID-19 | Five for your weekend https://www.penncapital-star.com/uncategorized/memorial-day-five-for-your-weekend/
Across the U.S., little sense of shared grief as coronavirus deaths near 100,000 https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/05/across-the-us-little-sense-of-shared-grief-as-coronavirus-deaths-near-100000.html
How many people have recovered from the coronavirus in Pennsylvania? https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/05/how-many-people-have-recovered-from-the-coronavirus-in-pennsylvania.html
Nursing home testing will be costly https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/nursing-home-testing-will-be-costly-1.2630895
Those struggling with addiction are among those caught in the pandemic’s wake https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/those-struggling-with-addiction-are-among-those-caught-in-the-pandemics-wake/article_4b13ff26-9acc-11ea-b387-83e8ed9c8f39.html
Coronavirus and lockdowns called ‘a perfect storm’ for mental health problems https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-lockdowns-called-a-perfect-storm-for-mental-health-problems/article_16c65786-9c3f-11ea-a173-afb58556a1bd.html
Legislature
Republicans Call For In-Person Voting Changes Weeks Before June Primary https://www.wesa.fm/post/republicans-call-person-voting-changes-weeks-june-primary
Pa. lawmakers welcome plans to lift stay-at-home order; some say it should’ve happened sooner https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/pa-lawmakers-welcome-plans-to-lift-stay-at-home-order-some-say-it-shouldve-happened-sooner.html
Administration
Debate rages over Gov. Wolf’s comments about return of sports in Pa. https://triblive.com/sports/readers-split-on-response-to-gov-wolfs-comments-about-return-of-sports-in-pa/
Business
‘We were supposed to flatten the curve, not flatten the economy,’ says Pa. Manufacturers’ Association CEO https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/we-were-supposed-to-flatten-the-curve-not-flatten-the-economy-says-pa-manufacturers-association-ceo.html
Want to escape paying back that PPP loan? The rules change fast. But here’s how to do it. https://www.inquirer.com/news/sba-ppp-loan-forgiveness-aicpa-small-business-coronavirus-20200523.html
Debt and coronavirus push Hertz into bankruptcy protection https://www.inquirer.com/business/coronavirus-covid-19-hertz-bankrupt-20200522.html
‘Everything’s drying up’: Blowup pools and hardware supplies are vanishing. Blame COVID. | Maria Panaritis https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/coronavirus-covid-19-shortage-hardware-gardening-supply-chain-pa-maria-panaritis-20200523.html
Lights are turning on at more stores, but a lot of thought went into that decision https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2020/05/22/retail-reopen-covid-19-coronavirus-regulations-pennsylvania-shoppers-consumer/stories/202005230023
Wall Street ends a choppy day mostly higher; crude oil falls https://www.pennlive.com/business/2020/05/wall-street-ends-a-choppy-day-mostly-higher-crude-oil-falls.html
Crime/Punishment
Courts around the Philly region are inching toward a busier — and more digital — new normal https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-courts-criminal-justice-system-reopening-virtual-hearings-20200522.html
Education
Philly’s charter and Catholic schools are seeing higher student participation in remote learning than district schools, survey finds https://www.inquirer.com/education/coronavirus-online-learning-philadelphia-charter-catholic-schools-20200522.html
Going green gets Gwynedd-Mercy Academy Elementary national recognition https://www.inquirer.com/life/gwynedd-mercy-academy-elementary-united-states-department-of-education-green-ribbon-school-20200519.html
Editorial: Celebrating the quarantine grads https://triblive.com/opinion/editorial-celebrating-the-quarantine-grads/
Elections/Politics
Biden says he was too ‘cavalier’ about black Trump backers https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/joe-biden-charlamagne-tha-god-black-woman-running-mate-trump-2020-election-20200522.html
Voting by mail is a safe option during coronavirus. Here’s what you need to know about absentee ballots in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/coronavirus-vote-by-mail-absentee-ballots-pennsylvania-new-jersey-20200401.html
Kass Withdraws Portion Of Lawsuit, But Democratic Party Dispute Continues https://www.wesa.fm/post/kass-withdraws-portion-lawsuit-democratic-party-dispute-continues
Environment
Green snow in Antarctica: Here’s why it’s happening https://www.pennlive.com/daily-buzz/2020/05/green-snow-in-antarctica-heres-why-its-happening.html
Local News
Adventure Through Colorful And Historic Allentown https://www.wesa.fm/post/adventure-through-colorful-and-historic-allentown
Northern Snakehead ‘Frankenfish’ moves farther into lower Susquehanna River near Lancaster https://triblive.com/local/regional/northern-snakehead-frankenfish-moves-farther-into-lower-susquehanna-river-near-lancaster/
Two York County diners lose licenses under Gov. Wolf’s coronavirus executive order https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/york-county-diners-lose-licenses-under-gov-wolfs-coronavirus-executive-order.html
Palmyra restaurant won’t wait on green light from Gov. Wolf, ‘slammed’ as it opens doors for in-person dining: report https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/05/palmyra-restaurant-wont-wait-on-green-light-from-gov-wolf-slammed-as-it-opens-doors-for-in-person-dining-report.html
Retail returns to Cumberland County, but with face masks, hand sanitizer and social distancing https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/05/retail-returns-to-cumberland-county-but-with-face-masks-hand-sanitizer-and-social-distancing.html
Ricketts Glen warns of weekend capacity limits https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/ricketts-glen-warns-of-weekend-capacity-limits-1.2630830
County will go yellow May 29 https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-will-go-yellow-may-29-1.2630897
Luzerne County Council meeting cancelled because push for fewer coronavirus restrictions granted https://www.timesleader.com/news/784659/luzerne-county-council-meeting-cancelled-because-push-for-fewer-coronavirus-restrictions-granted
Bishop Sean Rowe: Pandemic reveals inequality in Erie County https://www.goerie.com/entertainmentlife/20200523/bishop-sean-rowe-pandemic-reveals-inequality-in-erie-county
Erie County to stay in yellow phase as others go green https://www.goerie.com/news/20200522/erie-county-to-stay-in-yellow-phase-as-others-go-green
Region still awaits green light: Cambria, Somerset remain in yellow phase https://www.tribdem.com/coronavirus/region-still-awaits-green-light-cambria-somerset-remain-in-yellow-phase/article_5074d260-9ca7-11ea-bd45-b76808c1a5bc.html
‘Ripple effect’ of silenced Thunder felt across local economy https://www.tribdem.com/coronavirus/ripple-effect-of-silenced-thunder-felt-across-local-economy/article_8d7fe7b4-9ca5-11ea-98d8-4b4512d20e78.html
Blue Marsh Lake announces restrictions due to COVID-19 concerns https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/blue-marsh-lake-announces-restrictions-due-to-covid-19-concerns/article_4bdf3e18-9bab-11ea-a8fd-9b20de88e552.html
Berks veterans get flags, remembrance for Memorial Day https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/berks-veterans-get-flags-remembrance-for-memorial-day/article_e1f8554c-d3c9-5fa2-b907-20a3e70c1eac.html
National News
Pandemic job losses hit tourism-dependent states hardest https://triblive.com/news/world/pandemic-job-losses-hit-tourism-dependent-states-hardest/
Philly
Election fraud case sparks renewed accusations about ballot security in Philadelphia https://www.inquirer.com/news/election-fraud-philadelphia-dmocrats-federal-charges-president-donald-trump-republicans-domenick-demuro-20200522.html
Workers petition for union at Philadelphia Museum of Art https://whyy.org/articles/workers-petition-for-union-at-philadelphia-museum-of-art/
A social distancing ‘bouncer’ and first-ever phone: How Philly-famous Angelo’s Pizzeria is making it work https://billypenn.com/2020/05/22/a-social-distancing-bouncer-and-first-ever-phone-how-philly-famous-angelos-pizzeria-is-making-it-work/
Sen. Pat Toomey, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick to weigh in against Philadelphia supervised injection site https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-addiction/pat-toomey-brian-fitzpatrick-supervised-injection-philadelphia-court-case-20200522.html
Schuylkill River dredging starts June 1 to clear sediment for rowers once fearful of regatta cancellations https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/schuylkill-river-dredge-philadelphia-boathouse-rowers-20200522.html
Pitt
CMU researchers show most Twitter accounts tweeting about the coronavirus are bots https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/cmu-researchers-show-most-twitter-accounts-tweeting-about-the-coronavirus-are-bots/
What moving into ‘green’ zone does, does not mean under Gov. Wolf’s reopening plan https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/what-moving-into-green-zone-does-does-not-mean-under-gov-wolfs-reopening-plan/
State News
Pa. state prison system ready to start ‘working back to normal’ https://whyy.org/articles/pa-state-prison-system-ready-to-start-working-back-to-normal/
If transportation is essential, why has taking a driving test been so difficult in Pennsylvania? https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/drivers-license-test-exam-penndot-third-party-coronavirus-20200525.html
Pennsylvania prepares for subdued second year of hemp growing https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-prepares-for-subdued-second-year-of-hemp-growing/
Pa. Turnpike Memorial Day traffic expected to plunge, but dangers remain https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/pa-turnpike-memorial-day-traffic-expected-to-plunge-but-dangers-remain/article_7d874472-bf88-5d10-9cd3-c78a77f2c612.html
Washington
Trump administration discussed conducting first U.S. nuclear test in decades https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/trump-nuclear-weapons-test-20200522.html
FBI director orders internal review of Michael Flynn case https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/michael-flynn-trump-fbi-20200522.html
World
Wuhan, other provinces ban eating wild animals as post-COVID-19 crackdown continues in China: report https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/05/wuhan-other-provinces-bans-eating-wild-animals-as-post-covid-19-crackdown-continues-in-china-report.html
Virus cases drop to zero in China but surge in Latin America https://www.tribdem.com/coronavirus/virus-cases-drop-to-zero-in-china-but-surge-in-latin-america/article_e4e43b86-96f2-5083-abd2-ee41722b1358.html