Coronavirus - COVID-19
‘We cannot relax’: Gov. Wolf extends stay-at-home order to May 8
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/04/20/Pennsylvania-Tom-Wolf-extends-stay-at-home-order-May-8-curbside-liquor-pick-up/stories/202004200096
Gov. Wolf sets May 8 target for first moves toward a Pa. reopening — but that likely won’t apply in Philadelphia
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-reopening-stay-at-home-order-new-jersey-20200420.html
Gov. Wolf says Pennsylvania economy will gradually start to reopen May 8
https://triblive.com/local/regional/92-more-coronavirus-deaths-reported-in-pa-health-department-says/
Pennsylvania coronavirus updates: Gov. Wolf sets May 8 ‘target date’ to begin reopening parts of state
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-pa-updates-case-count-deaths-20200420-efaanmoh5rf6bigiauagcds7dy-story.html
Construction to be allowed statewide on May 8
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/construction-to-be-allowed-statewide-on-may-8-1.2620353
Vehicle sales can resume online in Pa.
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/vehicle-sales-can-resume-online-in-pa-1.2620352
Gov. Tom Wolf signs bill to waive late fees on property tax bills
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/04/gov-tom-wolf-signs-bill-to-waive-late-fees-on-property-tax-bills.html
Gov. Tom Wolf vetoes bill that would have allowed more Pa. businesses to reopen over public health objections
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/04/20/Gov-Tom-Wolf-vetoes-bill-that-would-have-allowed-more-Pa-businesses-to-reopen-over-public-health-objections/stories/202004200106
Gov. Tom Wolf vetoes bill that could allow more Pa. businesses to reopen
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/04/gov-tom-wolf-vetoes-bill-that-could-allow-more-pa-businesses-to-reopen.html
COVID-19 latest: Pa. reports 92 more deaths; 13 more in Western Pa.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/04/20/COVID-19-latest-pittsburgh-region-allegheny-county-pennsylvania-numbers/stories/202004200083
Allegheny County reports 5 more coronavirus deaths, but only 7 new cases
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-reports-5-more-deaths-from-coronavirus-but-total-cases-rise-by-only-7/
Increase in coronavirus cases shrunk in NEPA, but five more people died
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/coronavirus/increase-in-coronavirus-cases-shrunk-in-nepa-but-five-more-people-died-1.2620256
Scranton leads Lackawanna County in cases of coronavirus
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/coronavirus/scranton-leads-lackawanna-county-in-cases-of-coronavirus-1.2620256
Statistics confirm Hazleton hard hit by virus
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/statistics-confirm-hazleton-hard-hit-by-virus-1.2620455
Montgomery County coronavirus death toll climbs to 164; new testing site to open in Norristown
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-coronavirus-death-toll-climbs-to-164-new-testing-site-to-open-in-norristown/article_eab23116-d60e-5842-beb1-b451a28705ac.html
2 coronavirus deaths bring Berks County’s latest total to 87
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/2-coronavirus-deaths-bring-berks-countys-latest-total-to-87/article_a225e7ea-8323-11ea-a52e-071dbac8c6ab.html
3 more Berks Heim staff members test positive for coronavirus
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/3-more-berks-heim-staff-members-test-positive-for-coronavirus/article_52c07b2c-8358-11ea-85f2-8bf6c703aed8.html
Pennsylvania releases COVID-19 cases by ZIP code as new cases drop
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200420/pennsylvania-releases-covid-19-cases-by-zip-code-as-new-cases-drop
What you need to know to recover from COVID-19 at home
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/what-you-need-to-know-to-recover-from-covid-19-at-home-1.2620360
New arena coronavirus testing site praised by Luzerne County manager
https://www.timesleader.com/news/780922/new-arena-coronavirus-testing-site-praised-by-luzerne-county-manager
Drive-thru test site opens amid concerns over online-only registration
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/drive-thru-test-site-opens-amid-concerns-over-online-only-registration-1.2620452
After 16 coronavirus deaths, Lehigh Valley nursing home explains its situation and response
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-biz-coronavirus-genesis-lehigh-county-q-and-a-20200420-banmxcnwpnbmxp2irubgexh5lm-story.html
Patient advocate, nursing home official say Pennsylvania needs more aggressive action to confront COVID-19 deaths
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/patient-advocate-nursing-home-official-say-pennsylvania-needs-more-aggressive-action-to-confront-covid-19-deaths-1.2620321
CMU to launch website tracking covid-19 activity based on Google, Facebook surveys
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/cmu-to-launch-website-tracking-covid-19-activity-based-on-google-facebook-surveys/
Tower Health sharing coronavirus data through new online information center
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/tower-health-sharing-coronavirus-data-through-new-online-information-center/article_9caf6ff4-833a-11ea-a948-bb0375ee040a.html
Which states besides Pennsylvania require masks in public because of the coronavirus?
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/which-states-besides-pennsylvania-require-masks-in-public-because-of-the-coronavirus.html
Editorial: Staying the course remains best plan to beat virus
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/editorial-staying-the-course-remains-best-plan-to-beat-virus/article_9453fd2a-7523-58c0-b0cf-dc8eaa6c6c6d.html
N.J. has charged more than 1,700 for violating stay-at-home orders but just a handful of citations have been issued in Pa.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-stay-at-home-orders-violations-pennsylvania-philadelphia-new-jersey-police-enforcement-20200421.html
The racial disparities of coronavirus point yet again to the need for reparations | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/coronavirus-black-americans-racial-disparities-reparations-20200420.html
Trump says he will issue order to suspend immigration during coronavirus crisis
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/donald-trump-suspends-immigration-coronavirus-20200420.html
Cooperation will defeat COVID-19 | Rep. Scott Perry
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/04/cooperation-will-defeat-covid-19-rep-scott-perry.html
Legislatura
Pa. lawmakers see Capitol protest of shutdown as ‘democracy in action’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/04/pa-lawmakers-see-capitol-protest-of-shutdown-as-democracy-in-action.html
Yudichak critical of governor’s plan
https://www.timesleader.com/news/780939/yudichak-critical-of-governors-plan
Empresas
Car dealerships can now sell vehicles online, following new state guidance
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2020/04/21/car-dealerships-Pennsylvania-online-virtual-vehicle-sales-Gov-Tom-Wolf-guidance/stories/202004200121
Dire report from restaurant group shows 8 in 10 workers idled and billions lost
https://www.inquirer.com/food/national-restaurant-association-economic-report-lost-jobs-unemployment-closings-20200420.html
Coronavirus and massive demand have turned online grocery delivery into a big headache
https://www.inquirer.com/business/coronavirus-supermarket-delivery-instacart-wegmans-giant-20200420.html
Still going in to work in Pennsylvania amid the coronavirus? Chances are, you’re a low-wage worker, data show. | PolitiFact
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/essential-grocery-work-home-pennsylvania-true-false-20200421.html
Masked masses face reality of Gov. Wolf’s order to enter businesses
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/masked-masses-face-reality-of-gov-wolfs-order-to-enter-businesses/
Gerrity’s: Employee at Clarks Summit store tests positive for coronavirus
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/coronavirus/gerrity-s-employee-at-clarks-summit-store-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-1.2620539
Businesses think ahead to reopening as they adapt to a changing landscape
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/businesses-think-ahead-to-reopening-as-they-adapt-to-a-changing-landscape-1.2620315
Restaurateurs mull plans to reopen if state relaxes coronavirus restrictions
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/restaurateurs-mull-plans-to-reopen-if-state-relaxes-coronavirus-restrictions-1.2620316
Pa. distillers selling ‘unreal amounts of booze’ during coronavirus pandemic
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/pa-distillers-selling-unreal-amounts-of-booze-during-coronavirus-pandemic.html
Pa. unemployment claims for self-employed hits 50K; state total reaches 1.5M
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200421/pa-unemployment-claims-for-self-employed-hits-50k-state-total-reaches-15m
Delito/Castigo
Man who threatened to bomb Lafayette College pleads guilty
https://www.inquirer.com/news/lafayette-alaska-gavin-lee-casdorph-william-mcswain-bomb-threat-twitter-20200420.html
2 cited in Westmoreland in accusation of violating stay-at-home order
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/2-cited-in-westmoreland-for-allegedly-violating-stay-at-home-order/
SCI-Dallas reports first COVID-19 case
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/sci-dallas-reports-first-covid-19-case-1.2620359
Educación
Schools seek ways to minimize COVID-19 learning loss
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/04/20/Education-schools-Pittsburgh-seek-ways-minimize-COVID-19-learning-loss/stories/202004170107
Scranton School Board appoints business specialist, mom of four to vacant seat
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-school-board-appoints-business-specialist-mom-of-four-to-vacant-seat-1.2620350
Colleges will receive millions in stimulus money, but coronavirus expenses are greater
https://www.inquirer.com/education/coronavirus-stimulus-dollars-penn-state-temple-rutgers-rowan-st-joes-widener-cuts-money-20200420.html
Elecciones/Política
Voting by mail: Primary will reveal whether this is the future
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/04/21/Voting-by-mail-Primary-will-reveal-whether-this-is-the-future/stories/202004150043
How hard will it be to vote during the coronavirus? It depends on where you live.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/voting-by-mail-pennsylvania-new-jersey-coronavirus-20200421.html
Luzerne County manager continues push for mail-in-only primary election
https://www.timesleader.com/news/780932/luzerne-county-manager-continues-push-for-mail-in-only-primary-election
Westmoreland won’t send mail-in ballot applications unless voters request them
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-wont-send-mail-in-ballot-applications-unless-voters-request-them/
Sanidad
Despite ban by Gov. Tom Wolf, UPMC ramping up elective surgeries
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/04/20/UPMC-ramps-up-elective-surgeries-COVID-tom-wolf-nate-wardle-ban-CMS/stories/202004200075
Hospital cleaners are ‘the unsung heroes’ in the fight against coronavirus
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-frontline-workers-hospital-cleaners-philadelphia-20200421.html
Protest canceled after W-B General agrees to negotiate nurse layoffs
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/protest-canceled-after-w-b-general-agrees-to-negotiate-nurse-layoffs-1.2620357
Noticias locales
County DA’s office gets grant to help municipal police
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/county-da-s-office-gets-grant-to-help-municipal-police-1.2620246
Reading poised to enact loan program, push back property tax deadline during coronavirus pandemic
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/reading-poised-to-enact-loan-program-push-back-property-tax-deadline-during-coronavirus-pandemic/article_b8aad932-8358-11ea-b4c2-c39ea24c9a2d.html
Berks County is saving the environment, one building at a time
https://www.readingeagle.com/business-weekly/berks-county-is-saving-the-environment-one-building-at-a-time/article_98a37e08-80fd-11ea-a677-93dbd66a6479.html
Editorial: We need libraries now more than ever
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-we-need-libraries-now-more-than-ever/article_2f18f92c-8300-11ea-b9f1-6bb34c4b5914.html
Last call for covid-19 grants from Burrell-New Kensington Rotary
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/last-call-for-covid-19-grants-from-burrell-new-kensington-rotary-grant/
Steelers great Troy Polamalu donates gift cards to furloughed Westmoreland workers
https://triblive.com/sports/steelers-great-troy-polamalu-donates-gift-cards-to-furloughed-westmoreland-workers/
Westmoreland County Blind Association making thousands of masks, selling them for $3 each
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-blind-association-making-thousands-of-masks-selling-them-for-3-each/
Luzerne County will furlough 128 employees
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/luzerne-county-will-furlough-128-employees-1.2620366
Filadelfia
Debate and differences over reopening plans, as Philly Mayor Kenney warns cities could face massive layoffs
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/philadelphia-kenney-coronavirus-reopen-protest-mask-new-jersey-20200419.html
Why Pa. dairy farmers dumped milk even as Philly buyers couldn’t find enough of it
https://www.inquirer.com/economy/coronavirus-supply-chain-disruption-dairy-farmers-dump-milk-20200421.html
Hospital delivers bodies to Philly medical examiner in the open back of a pickup truck
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/bodies-pick-up-truck-medical-examiner-ford-overflow-storage-20200420.html
Philly families search for a safe place to stay as city quarantine hotel rooms go empty
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/coronavirus/philly-families-search-for-a-safe-place-to-stay-as-city-quarantine-hotel-rooms-go/article_4dcf342e-83ca-11ea-9ccc-fb085634082b.html
Smelling cabbage? It’s just Philly’s defunct refinery
https://www.inquirer.com/science/philadelphia-energy-solutions-philadelphia-refinery-20200420.html
Shooter of 3 teens on SEPTA bus worked at Penn as security guard, authorities say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-septa-bus-shooting-university-of-pennsylvania-security-guard-three-teens-shot-20200417.html
Pitt
Peduto directly asks Trump: Please support COVID-19 relief funds for local governments
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/04/20/pittsburgh-mayor-Peduto-asks-Trump-support-COVID-19-relief-funds-local-governments/stories/202004200080
Peduto asks Trump for funding, cites potential $127M deficit for Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/peduto-asks-trump-for-funding-cites-potential-127-million-deficit-for-pittsburgh/
Port Authority reports 7th covid-19 case; 3rd at West Mifflin garage
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/port-authority-reports-7th-covid-19-case-3rd-at-west-mifflin-garage/
Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to host food giveaway at Pittsburgh airport
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-community-food-bank-to-host-food-giveaway-at-pittsburgh-airport/
Allegheny County Councilors introduce countywide paid sick-leave legislation
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/allegheny-county-councilors-introduce-countywide-paid-sick-leave-legislation/Content?oid=17166227
Pittsburgh’s air quality gets failing grade – again
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/04/21/American-Lung-Association-State-of-the-Air-quality-Pittsburgh-Allegheny-County-pollution/stories/202004200118
Demonstrators in Downtown protest Wolf’s stay-at-home and business shutdown orders
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/04/20/Protesters-economic-business-shutdown-orders-Downtown-Pittsburgh-Harrisburg-Wolf/stories/202004200102
Protesters in Pittsburgh demand Gov. Wolf to reopen businesses amid coronavirus pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/protesters-gather-in-pittsburgh-demanding-gov-wolf-reopen-businesses-amid-coronavirus-pandemic/
Hello Neighbor intensifies help to refugee families during pandemic
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/04/20/Hello-Neighbor-refugees-COVID-19-coronavirus/stories/202004150121
Church rebounds from cluster of COVID cases
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/04/20/Eastminster-Presbyterian-Church-rebounds-cluster-COVID-19-coronavirus-pandemic/stories/202004200104
Pittsburgh restaurants sue insurer over COVID-19-related losses
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/legal/2020/04/20/Pittsburgh-restaurants-coronavirus-COVID-19-Joseph-Tambellini-Siebs-Pub/stories/202004200036
Noticias del Estado
Furloughs continue as COVID-19 impacts counties, community colleges
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/westmoreland/2020/04/20/Western-Pennsylvania-county-government-community-college-furloughs-coronavirus/stories/202004160159
Hundreds gather at Capitol in Harrisburg for anti-shutdown rally calling to ‘reopen’ Pennsylvania
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/04/20/Hundreds-gather-at-Capitol-in-Harrisburg-for-anti-shutdown-rally-calling-to-reopen-Pennsylvania/stories/202004200085
Gov’t ‘can’t save us from the virus’: In raucous Capitol protest, thousands call on Wolf to reopen all of Pa.
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/govt-cant-save-us-from-the-virus-in-raucous-capitol-protest-thousands-call-on-wolf-to-reopen-all-of-pa/
Protesters rally against shutdown
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2020/04/protesters-rally-against-shutdown/
Viral damage to civic health
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/viral-damage-to-civic-health-1.2620340
No squeezing the tomatoes, but the region’s farmers markets are almost ready to come back
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/food/2020/04/21/COVID-19-Western-Pennsylvania-farmers-markets-local-food-delivery-CSA-Bloomfield/stories/202004130147
Pennsylvania’s National Guard active in food deliveries
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/04/20/Pennsylvania-National-Guard-food-aid-deliveries-support-task-force-coronavirus-covid-19/stories/202004200119
Pennsylvania liquor stores begin call-in orders with some confusion
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pennsylvania-liquor-stores-begin-call-in-orders-with-some-confusion/
PLCB restarts special orders after wine distributors file lawsuit, but it’s not enough: distributors
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/04/plcb-restarts-special-orders-after-wine-distributors-file-lawsuit-but-its-not-enough-distributors.html
Busy signals and no booze: Pa. liquor curbside sales have a bumpy first day
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/pa-liquor-stores-roll-out-new-curbside-service-at-select-locations-how-to-buy-and-which-ones-are-open/
PSP cancels Camp Cadet, other summer events due to pandemic
https://www.timesleader.com/news/780946/psp-cancels-camp-cadet-other-summer-events-due-to-pandemic
4/20 celebrations canceled, but marijuana sales strong during pandemic
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/4-20-celebrations-canceled-but-marijuana-sales-strong-during-pandemic/
Food pantries hit with double whammy during pandemic
https://www.witf.org/2020/04/21/food-pantries-hit-with-double-whammy-during-pandemic/
Noticias del mundo
South Korea downplays concerns over Kim Jong Un’s health
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2020/04/21/South-Korea-Kim-Jong-Un-s-health/stories/202004210065
Oil drops below $0, signaling extreme collapse in demand
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/oil-prices-drop-below-zero-coronavirus-covid-19-20200421.html
Moving forward: Create a plan to sustain pollution decline
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/04/21/Moving-forward-Create-a-plan-to-sustain-pollution-decline/stories/202004100008
Conspiracy theorists burn 5G towers, incorrectly linking them to coronavirus
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/conspiracy-theorists-burn-5g-towers-incorrectly-linking-them-to-coronavirus.html