Coronavirus - COVID-19
Wolf administration issues “yellow” phase rules for businesses: Manufacturing, retail will lead the way
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/wolf-administration-issues-yellow-zone-rules-for-businesses-manufacturing-retail-will-lead-the-way-in-phased-reopening.html
Delco, Bucks call on Gov. Wolf to prioritize the Philly area, Pa.’s ‘economic engine,’ in coronavirus reopening and testing plans
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-testing-reopening-delaware-chester-montgomery-bucks-philadelphia-county-20200504.html
Dropping coronavirus case count in Philadelphia and hospital admissions in N.J.; Bucks, Delco ask Pa. to tweak reopening metrics
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-philadelphia-new-jersey-nursing-homes-reopening-suburbs-bucks-delco-20200504.html
State begins discussion on next phase of reopening COVID-19 stalled economy
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/state-begins-discussion-on-next-phase-of-reopening-covid-19-stalled-economy/article_fee1915a-8e1d-11ea-86e3-4f5df1646cb5.html
Pennsylvania red, yellow, green coronavirus county reopening statuses explained
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/pennsylvania-red-yellow-green-coronavirus-county-reopening-statuses-explained-map/article_b0da189c-8e31-11ea-996b-b34987f36184.html
Levine: Pennsylvania needs better testing to prevent outbreaks of COVID-19 in fall
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200504/levine-pennsylvania-needs-better-testing-to-prevent-outbreaks-of-covid-19-in-fall
Pa. sees 14 new COVID-19 deaths, 0 in Allegheny, amid normal weekend slowdown in reporting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/05/04/COVID-19-coronavirus-Allegheny-County-Western-Pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-2/stories/202005040071
No new coronavirus deaths reported in Allegheny County for 2nd straight day
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/no-new-coronavirus-deaths-in-allegheny-county-for-second-consecutive-day/
COVID-19 deaths top 100 in Luzerne County
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/covid-19-deaths-top-100-in-luzerne-county-1.2625038
13 more Luzerne County deaths push virus toll to 101
https://www.timesleader.com/news/782403/13-more-luzerne-county-deaths-push-virus-toll-to-101
Lackawanna County sees larger percentage increase of coronavirus cases than almost any other local county
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/coronavirus/lackawanna-county-sees-larger-percentage-increase-of-coronavirus-cases-than-almost-any-other-local-county-1.2624802
Berks County coroner reports 9 more coronavirus deaths
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-coroner-reports-9-more-coronavirus-deaths/article_a5342542-8e3a-11ea-a42b-5b37a6f0b86f.html
Montgomery County records 8 more coronavirus deaths, toll rises to 314
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-records-8-more-coronavirus-deaths-toll-rises-to-314/article_2c857042-a3ad-5982-b8f5-63b32087abb1.html
DOH reports lowest case count increase since March, NEPA still seeing community spread
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200504/doh-reports-lowest-case-count-increase-since-march-nepa-still-seeing-community-spread
Lehigh County’s Cedarbrook nursing home reports 15 coronavirus deaths, 23 suspected deaths
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-15-dead-at-cedarbrook-facilities-20200505-kdcb6xmbujhgfasntogddfsxqu-story.html
For this nursing assistant, fighting coronavirus means caring for those ‘asking God to take them home’
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/covid-19-nursing-home-nursing-assistant-perspective-20200505.html
‘They’re the front lines’; Staff care for adults with disabilities amid pandemic, funding challenges
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/theyre-the-front-lines-staff-care-for-adults-with-disabilities-amid-pandemic-funding-challenges.html
Scranton daughter fights for experimental COVID-19 therapy to save her dad
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-daughter-fights-for-experimental-covid-19-therapy-to-save-her-dad-1.2625058
Hospice providers make changes amid COVID-19 outbreak
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/hospice-providers-make-changes-amid-covid-19-outbreak-1.2624908
Is Pennsylvania prepared for a second wave of the coronavirus in the fall?
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200504/is-pennsylvania-prepared-for-second-wave-of-coronavirus-in-fall
7 NE states in it together
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/7-ne-states-in-it-together-1.2624887
15 children are hospitalized in New York with mysterious illness possibly tied to COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/05/05/15-Children-Are-Hospitalized-With-Mysterious-Illness-Possibly-Tied-to-COVID-19/stories/202005050068
Trump administration projects 3K deaths a day by June; public model more than doubles virus toll
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/05/04/death-projections-coronavirus-Trump-administration-deaths-double-US-daily-June/stories/202005040129
Trump cheers on governors as they ignore White House coronavirus guidelines in race to reopen
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/trump-cheers-governors-they-ignore-white-house-coronovirus-guidelines-race-reopen-20200504.html
Protecting businesses and workers: Federal liability protection could be a sticking point
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/05/05/Protecting-businesses-and-workers/stories/202005010052
Protest outside Massachusetts State House drew hundreds
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/05/04/Massachusetts-coronavirus-protest-Boston-reopening-state-Governor-Baker/stories/202005040145
Legislatura
Some Chester County businesses get financial relief
https://www.phoenixvillenews.com/some-chester-county-businesses-get-financial-relief/article_f70e1631-f985-5565-a0ed-91c8ed7b6ff9.html
Senators examine Pa.’s reopening plan and what lies ahead
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/senators-examine-pas-reopening-plan-and-what-lies-ahead.html
Pennsylvania coronavirus reopening update: Lawmakers question Wolf administration approach to opening counties, businesses
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-pa-hearing-virus-monday-20200504-7vjglozppvgmvgdwu7bvyeqwqm-story.html
Bucks County lawmakers ask state not to count nursing homes in reopening decision
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200504/bucks-county-lawmakers-ask-state-not-to-count-nursing-homes-in-reopening-decision
Legislation would require state to inspect nursing homes for COVID-19, report findings
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/05/04/Legislation-inspection-nursing-homes-Brighton-Rehabilitation-Rob-Matzie-lawsuit-Glenn-Gill/stories/202005040112
Pa. lawmaker compares Wolf administration to Nazis over coronavirus transparency
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/tom-wolf-nazi-coronavirus-pennsylvania-representative-cris-dush-20200504.html
Pa. Rep. Frankel ‘horrified’ by Pa. lawmaker’s Nazi Party comments
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pa-rep-frankel-horrified-by-dushs-comments-about-nazi-party/
Pa. lawmaker compares Gov. Wolf’s handling of COVID-19 crisis to ‘socialist playbook’ used in Nazi Germany, USSR
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/pa-lawmaker-compares-gov-wolfs-handling-of-covid-19-crisis-to-socialist-playbook-used-in-nazi-germany-ussr.html
Administración
Gov. Tom Wolf talks about Pa. primary, mail-in ballots and voting at the polls in a pandemic
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/gov-tom-wolf-talks-about-pa-primary-watch-live.html
Governor Wolf urges Pennsylvanians to apply for mail-in ballots for June 2 primary
https://papost.org/2020/05/04/governor-urges-pennsylvanians-to-apply-for-mail-in-ballots-for-june-2-primary/
Shapiro files SCOTUS brief defending Wolf’s business shutdowns
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/shapiro-files-scotus-brief-defending-wolf-business-shutdowns/
Empresas
Warehouse workers say their safety concerns are being ignored. Here’s their cautionary tale for reopening.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/spl/pennsylvania-amazon-warehouse-covid-enforcement-20200505.html
Good cause needed to refuse work, keep unemployment benefits
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/good-cause-needed-to-refuse-work-keep-unemployment-benefits-1.2625039
Mortgage standards get tougher as banks face greater risk
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2020/05/05/mortgage-banks-credit-score-loan-borrowers-home-lenders-COVID-19-down-payments/stories/202005010026
After lobbying from Butler steel plant owner, Trump admin launches investigation on imports of transformer components
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/05/04/Cleveland-Cliffs-Butler-Works-Zanesville-steel-Trump-investigation-imports-transformer-components-tariffs/stories/202005040108
Region’s grocery stores set limits on some meat sales as they eye supply, sales issues
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2020/05/04/meat-supply-grocery-stores-limits-Pittsburgh-customers-food-processing-plants/stories/202005040093
CSX rail facility in McKees Rocks to be leased to Shell
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/05/05/CSX-Transportation-intermodal-Shell-McKees-Rocks-cracker/stories/202005050061
Shell is getting out of the Appalachian shale business but not petrochemicals
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2020/05/04/Shell-Appalachian-shale-National-Fuel-Gas-Seneca-Resources-petrochemicals-Swepi/stories/202005040107
Sen. Casey calls for Walmart to prioritize seniors, people with disabilities in waiting areas
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/05/04/Bob-Casey-Walmart-long-lines-covid-19-pandemic-disabilitlies-elderly/stories/202005040070
Didn’t get your small-business loan to stay open? Here are other options for help.
https://www.inquirer.com/business/small-business/ppp-cares-small-business-taxes-philadelphia–20200504.html
Dunkin’ announces $200,000 grant, free coffee and doughnuts for health care workers
https://triblive.com/local/regional/dunkin-announces-200000-grant-free-coffee-and-doughnuts-for-health-care-workers/
Monroeville hotel brings back some workers for food relief effort
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/monroeville-hotel-brings-back-some-workers-for-food-relief-effort/
Barber and colleagues ask Wolf to let them cut hair
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/barber-and-colleagues-ask-wolf-to-let-them-cut-hair.html
Delito/Castigo
13-year-old boy is Chester’s 17th homicide victim of 2020
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/13-year-old-boy-is-chesters-17th-homicide-victim-of-2020/article_b6a21dce-8e54-11ea-8a2b-6b41a94f951d.html
Educación
Region’s schools work to teach around holes in the internet
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/butler-area-school-district-covid-19-online-learning-watson-institute/
West Chester Area School District faces the possibility of more virtual classes
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/west-chester-area-school-district-faces-the-possibility-of-more-virtual-classes/article_2b1043be-8e25-11ea-91e8-ab6e4bd3365a.html
Pennsylvania asks for $18 million for Berks County schools to respond to coronavirus impact
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/pennsylvania-asks-for-18-million-for-berks-county-schools-to-respond-to-coronavirus-impact/article_9c4e05cc-8e1e-11ea-892c-f34c76286408.html
Scranton School Board hears calls to save preschool, increase diversity
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-school-board-hears-calls-to-save-preschool-increase-diversity-1.2625054
Penn State student in federal class-action lawsuit seeks tuition refunds over COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/05/04/Penn-State-University-lawsuit-TylerThomson-tuition-online-COVID19-refunds-colleges/stories/202005040063
Elecciones/Política
How do you prevent a disputed 2020 election in Pennsylvania? Lessons from an expert panel.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/preventing-pennsylvania-2020-election-crisis-20200504.html
Mail-in ballot requests approach 1 million ahead of Pennsylvania’s June 2 primary
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/mail-in-ballot-requests-approach-1-million-ahead-of-pennsylvanias-june-2-primary/
Nearly 1 million Pennsylvanians have flooded county election offices with requests to vote by mail in the June 2 primary
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-primary-election-june-2-vote-by-mail-20200504-ztdn33oq2bcmfhi4oqou24b77u-story.html
Pennsylvania voters interested in mail-in option urged not to dawdle
https://www.timesleader.com/news/782399/pennsylvania-voters-interested-in-mail-in-option-urged-not-to-dawdle
Berks County needs poll workers after hundreds opt to stay home due to coronavirus concerns
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-needs-poll-workers-after-hundreds-opt-to-stay-home-due-to-coronavirus-concerns/article_6019ae08-8aea-11ea-a101-abeef3b25f43.html
Joe Biden pressed to choose a black woman as his running mate
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/joe-biden-running-mate-african-american-black-woman-20200505.html
Noticias locales
Salvation Army gets grant to help struggling residents buy food
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/salvation-army-gets-grant-to-help-stuggling-residents-buy-food-1.2624794
Cartwright announces $100K for Wilkes-Barre Connect job-training effort
https://www.timesleader.com/news/782389/cartwright-announces-100k-for-wilkes-barre-connect-job-training-effort
Amid coronavirus lockdown, Montgomery County website identifies local streets for recreation
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/amid-coronavirus-lockdown-montgomery-county-website-identifies-local-streets-for-recreation/article_4525fac3-1138-5b05-918e-f9d5151ac7e4.html
Delaware County starts second round of grant funding
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/delaware-county-starts-second-round-of-grant-funding/article_f6f754bc-8e4e-11ea-9b38-9b180e86e0ba.html
Delaware County council urges slow, deliberate reopening
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/delaware-county-council-urges-slow-deliberate-reopening/article_21486dde-8e4d-11ea-8342-17f9c415b8f3.html
Filadelfia
175 bodies in 2 days: Deluged with coronavirus victims, a Philadelphia cemetery aims to preserve the dignity of the dead
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-ivy-hill-cemetery-crematory-20200505.html
Advocates, officials try to prevent Philly’s coming wave of coronavirus evictions
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/eviction-philadelphia-coronavirus-rent-reinvestment-fund-20200505.html
For hospital workers at Philly hotels, the pendulum swings between relief and anxiety
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/hotel-philadelphia-doctor-nurse-covid-coronavirus-hospital-homewood-hilton-doubletree-20200504.html
Philly spends $5 million on coronavirus surge hospital that admitted 14 patients
https://www.witf.org/2020/05/04/philly-spends-5-million-on-coronavirus-surge-hospital-that-admitted-14-patients/
Why are so many cars parked at the stadium complex in South Philly right now?
https://www.inquirer.com/news/rental-cars-parked-at-south-philly-stadium-complex-coronavirus-20200505.html
SEPTA faces an unprecedented financial challenge. A plunge in Pa. Turnpike traffic may make it tougher.
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-funding-coronavirus-pennsylvania-turnpike-commission-traffic-20200504.html
Chaka Fattah Jr. tried to book a post-prison Philly staycation. It went awry.
https://www.inquirer.com/business/chakka-fattah-jr-sonder-coronavirus-housing-discrimination-apartment-hotel-20200505.html
Fla. sheriff under scrutiny for not disclosing that he killed a man 27 years ago in Philadelphia
https://www.inquirer.com/news/gregory-scott-tony-hector-chino-rodriguez-sheriff-broward-county-fatal-shooting-20200504.html
Philly schools and students still need support despite online education successes | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/coronavirus-covid-philadelphia-budget-education-school-district-20200504.html
Pew announces $6.8 million for Philly-area health and human services nonprofits
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pew-charitable-trusts-nonprofits-grants-covid-19-20200504.html
Philly pediatricians: Let’s not forget the diseases we can vaccinate against | Expert Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/health/expert-opinions/covid-19-vaccine-preventable-diseases-kids-vaccinations-pediatrician-20200504.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh adopts hiring freeze, leaves 64 positions vacant
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/05/04/pittsburgh-peduto-adopts-hiring-freeze-covid-19-pandemic/stories/202005040062
Pittsburgh enacts hiring freeze as tax revenues dry up during pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-enacts-hiring-freeze-as-tax-revenues-dry-up-during-pandemic/
Positive change: Port Authority had been improving on-time performance
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/05/04/Port-Authority-buses-on-time-performance-improved-three-months-in-a-row/stories/202005040114
Pitt researcher who was studying coronavirus was victim in Ross murder-suicide
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/05/04/ross-township-murder-suicide-bing-liu-police-elm-court/stories/202005040082
City growers, food policy advocates show interest in Coghill’s Brookline farm idea
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/05/04/Pittsburgh-urban-farm-food-policy-advocates-show-interest-in-Coghill-Brookline-farm-idea/stories/202005040103
Mentor program continues mission through pandemic
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/05/04/Mentor-program-continues-mission-through-pandemic-pittsburgh-christopher-darby-woodland-hills-covid-19/stories/202005040111
City wants state appellate court to reconsider gun ordinance decision
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/05/04/Pittsburgh-state-law-appellate-court-gun-ordinance-case-city-rights-assault-high-capacity/stories/202005040088
Pittsburgh argues it has legal authority to regulate use of firearms
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-argues-it-has-legal-authority-to-regulate-use-of-firearms/
Chelsa Wagner: Reopening Allegheny County requires openness from our government
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2020/05/05/Chelsa-Wagner-Reopening-Allegheny-County-requires-openness-from-our-government/stories/202005050008
Noticias del Estado
Pa. schoolteacher imprisoned in Egypt is released
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/05/04/American-schoolteacher-Egypt-imprisoned-released-Reem-Desouky-Lancaster-Pennsylvania/stories/202005040125
I had an abortion during the pandemic. Reproductive health care is crucial. | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/coronavirus-abortion-contraceptives-supreme-court-pennsylvania-20200504.html
Ricketts Glen to reopen later this month
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/ricketts-glen-to-reopen-later-this-month-1.2624911
Editorial: Online meetings pose challenge for local governments
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-online-meetings-pose-challenge-for-local-governments/article_f13cfaf2-8e0f-11ea-a7c0-0bb28247abdd.html
Transporte
Martz to resume limited bus service to NYC, Philadelphia
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/martz-to-resume-limited-bus-service-to-nyc-philadelphia-1.2625053
Washington
Long drives, no staff, and face masks: the Senate returns as most of D.C. remains in lockdown
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-senate-returns-to-capitol-washington-20200504.html