Coronavirus – COVID-19
Levine says curve continues to bend as new COVID-19 cases decline
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/05/19/COVID-19-coronavirus-Allegheny-County-Western-Pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-10/stories/202005190090
State data reveals previously unknown large COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/05/20/Pennsylvania-nursing-homes-COVID-19-outbreaks-cases-deaths-data-St-Barnabas/stories/202005190159
Pa. releases names of nursing homes with COVID-19 cases, deaths
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/05/19/pennsylvania-releases-names-of-nursing-homes-with-coronavirus-cases-deaths-covid-19/stories/202005190118
Pa. Department of Health report sheds light on coronavirus impact in long-term care facilities
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-department-of-health-report-sheds-light-on-coronavirus-impact-in-long-term-care-facilities/
Most Pa. nursing homes with 20 or more coronavirus deaths are in Philly and its suburbs, long-sought data show
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/most-pennsylvania-nursing-home-outbreaks-philadelphia-suburbs-20200519.html
State planning additional COVID help for nursing homes; Brighton Rehab has largest outbreak
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200519/state-planning-additional-covid-help-for-nursing-homes-brighton-rehab-has-largest-outbreak
Wolf Administration releases data on COVID-19 cases by facility
https://www.timesleader.com/news/784333/wolf-administration-releases-data-on-covid-19-cases-by-facility
4 nursing homes had major outbreaks
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/4-nursing-homes-had-major-outbreaks-1.2629995
Allied has fourth-highest resident COVID-19 cases in nursing homes statewide, but officials dispute numbers
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/coronavirus/allied-has-fourth-highest-resident-covid-19-cases-in-nursing-homes-statewide-but-officials-dispute-numbers-1.2629790
Gracedale nearly tops list for coronavirus cases and deaths in Pennsylvania nursing homes, new data shows
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-pennsylvania-long-term-care-infection-data-20200519-a2zrerawg5ftnauyi7mdp4qz4e-story.html
New stats detail coronavirus toll in Delaware County nursing homes
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/new-stats-detail-coronavirus-toll-in-delaware-county-nursing-homes/article_7decdae4-9a1d-11ea-b875-8b6fd5e30f73.html
FULL LIST: Pa. releases names of nursing homes with coronavirus cases, deaths
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/spl/full-list-pennsylvania-nursing-homes-coronavirus-cases-20200519.html
610 new coronavirus cases, 119 additional deaths reported in Pa.
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/610-new-coronavirus-cases-119-additional-deaths-reported-in-pa/
Allegheny County reports 1 new coronavirus death, 17 new cases
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-reports-one-new-coronavirus-death-17-new-cases/
Coronavirus count in Westmoreland County falls by 1 as state refines data
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/coronavirus-count-in-westmoreland-county-falls-by-1-as-state-refines-data/
Coronavirus death toll creeps up in Northeast Pennsylvania
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/coronavirus/coronavirus-death-toll-creeps-up-in-northeast-pennsylvania-1.2629742
Positive trend of fewer deaths continues in Montgomery County; new testing site opens in Lansdale
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/positive-trend-of-fewer-deaths-continues-in-montgomery-county-new-testing-site-opens-in-lansdale/article_7a58a436-63f2-58c7-a0f7-e9d0acd9ff0d.html
Armstrong County coroner claims state COVID-19 data ‘inflated’ in his region
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2020/05/19/Armstrong-County-Coroner-reporting-coronavirus-data-pennsylvania-health-department/stories/202005190070
Beaver County officials: Still no word about contact tracing
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200519/beaver-county-officials-still-no-word-about-contact-tracing
A dark milestone: More than 1,000 migrants in ICE custody now have the coronavirus
https://www.inquirer.com/news/ice-detention-coronavirus-covid-19-pike-berks-pennsylvania-migrant-immigration-20200519.html
COVID-19 data sharing with law enforcement sparks concern
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/05/19/COVID-19-data-sharing-with-law-enforcement-sparks-concern/stories/202005190117
States accused of fudging or bungling COVID-19 testing data
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-testing-data-covid-19-20200519.html
Gov. DeWine eases Ohio’s ‘stay at home’ order, keeps large group limits
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/05/19/Ohio-Governor-DeWine-lifts-stay-at-home-order-coronavirus/stories/202005190149
Trump privately opposed extending unemployment benefits for pandemic, sources say
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/trump-unemployment-benefits-coronavirus-against-extending-20200520.html
Reopening
When will Luzerne County enter ‘phase yellow?’
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/when-will-luzerne-county-enter-phase-yellow-1.2630053
Going into the yellow phase, law enforcement still favor a light touch for rule-breakers
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/going-into-the-yellow-phase-law-enforcement-still-favor-a-light-touch-for-rule-breakers-1.2629876
COVID-19 cases are down in the Poconos, so is it time to reopen?
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200519/covid-19-cases-are-down-in-poconos-so-is-it-time-to-reopen
Better case to reopen
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/better-case-to-reopen-1.2629863
Legislature
Pa. lawmakers ask Gov. Tom Wolf for curbside retail pickup
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200520/pa-lawmakers-ask-gov-tom-wolf-for-curbside-retail-pickup
Religious freedom bill proposed in Pennsylvania as churches navigate reopening
https://triblive.com/local/regional/religious-freedom-bill-proposed-in-pennsylvania-as-churches-navigate-reopening/
Pa. House speaker’s bill would direct $500 million to teaching and research hospitals for COVID-19 response
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/pa-house-speakers-bill-would-direct-500-million-to-teaching-and-research-hospitals-for-covid/article_14f1f04c-99e1-11ea-8502-5f8fa4107a55.html
Another Pa. lawmaker calls for resignation of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/another-pa-lawmaker-calls-for-resignation-of-health-secretary-dr-rachel-levine.html
Administration
In showdown with lawmakers, Wolf vetoes reopening bills; then allows real estate agencies to reopen
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/in-showdown-with-lawmakers-wolf-vetoes-reopening-bills-then-allows-real-estate-agencies-to-reopen/
Gov. Wolf vetoes bill that would halt new regulations during pandemic
https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2020/05/19/gov-wolf-vetoes-bill-that-would-halt-new-regulations-during-pandemic/
Gov. Wolf on law allowing to-go cocktail sales: ‘I will sign it’
https://triblive.com/local/regional/gov-wolf-on-law-allowing-to-go-cocktail-sales-i-will-sign-it/
Cocktails-to-go expected to be approved in Pennsylvania
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/drinks/2020/05/20/Cocktails-to-go-takeout-Pennsylvania-pandemic/stories/202005200074
Gov. Wolf signals he plans to sign bill allowing taverns, restaurants and hotel bars to sell mixed drinks to go
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/gov-wolf-signals-he-plans-to-sign-bill-allowing-taverns-restaurants-and-hotel-bars-to-sell-mixed-drinks-to-go.html
House passes restaurant reopening with bipartisan support; Wolf says he’ll okay take out mixed drinks
https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/house-passes-restaurant-reopening-with-bipartisan-support-wolf-says-hell-okay-take-out-mixed-drinks/
As New Jersey, Maryland beaches open for Memorial Day, Pa. residents shouldn’t go, governor says
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/many-east-coast-beaches-open-for-memorial-day-gov-wolf-advises-pa-residents-not-to-go.html
Gov. Wolf voices ‘general concern’ over Ben Roethlisberger’s trip to barbershop
https://triblive.com/sports/gov-wolf-voices-general-concern-over-ben-roethlisbergers-trip-to-barbershop/
Yes, Pennsylvania’s governor blocked a company that makes American flags from operating during the pandemic
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/coronavirus-pa-tom-wolf-american-flags-20200519.html
Wolf needs to give shuttered Pa. businesses a fair hearing | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/wolf-needs-to-give-shuttered-pa-businesses-a-fair-hearing-opinion/
Business
Pa. officials allow scaled-back real estate operations to resume statewide
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2020/05/19/Pennsylvania-real-estate-in-person-Wolf-administration-veto-bill-coronavirus/stories/202005190153
Real estate business activity to resume across Pennsylvania
https://www.timesleader.com/news/784329/real-estate-business-activity-to-resume-across-pennsylvania-2
Area real estate industry gets back to work
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/area-real-estate-industry-gets-back-to-work-1.2630003
Wolf gives Pennsylvania real estate businesses OK to start up using coronavirus precautions
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-pa-wolf-virus-tuesday-20200519-z5v7ldmkfnfn7kmnxeaevh2g5e-story.html
Wolf: Real estate business can resume
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200519/wolf-real-estate-business-can-resume
Chester County Realtors elated to be given green light to conduct limited business
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/chester-county-realtors-elated-to-be-given-green-light-to-conduct-limited-business/article_918c904a-9a0d-11ea-828a-0fe98a1a052f.html
CVS Health is returning $43 million in coronavirus relief funds
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2020/05/20/CVS-Health-is-returning-43-million-in-coronavirus-relief-funds/stories/202005200069
Food-delivery couriers say working during the coronavirus pandemic can be dehumanizing. Many have no choice.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/a/coronavirus-covid-19-philadelphia-food-grocery-delivery-doordash-instacart-grubhub-uber-eats-20200520.html
Amazon promises 1,000 jobs for a new warehouse near Joe Biden’s house in Delaware
https://www.inquirer.com/news/amazon-wilmington-robotics-state-subsidy-20200520.html
Pier 1 Imports to close down all stores
https://triblive.com/news/world/pier-1-imports-to-close-down-all-stores/
What rights do Lehigh Valley workers have as businesses reopen and the coronavirus crisis lingers?
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-what-rights-pennsylvania-workers-have-during-coronavirus-crisis-20200520-ac4xz5limvhqhi5ksjswvpfjpe-story.html
Crime/Punishment
2 more state prison inmates, 1 staffer die of covid-19
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/2-more-state-prison-inmates-1-staffer-die-of-covid-19/
Pa. man recently released from prison killed estranged wife, himself: police
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/pa-man-recently-released-from-prison-killed-estranged-wife-himself-police.html
Huge fentanyl bust on Pa. Turnpike shows opioids are booming despite coronavirus lockdowns
https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2020/05/huge-fentanyl-bust-on-pa-turnpike-shows-opioids-are-booming-amid-coronavirus-lockdowns.html
Education
Freezing tuition: State schools face pandemic challenges
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/05/20/Tuition-freeze-state-schools-pandemic-challenges/stories/202005050043
Will Penn State reopen for in-person classes this fall? President Barron said that’s how they are proceeding
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/will-penn-state-reopen-for-in-person-classes-in-the-fall-president-barron-said-thats-how-they-are-proceeding-but.html
Elections/Politics
Pennsylvania Republicans have a new campaign season villain and it’s not Nancy Pelosi
https://www.inquirer.com/news/tom-wolf-coronavirus-campaign-ads-pennsylvania-20200520.html
Westmoreland County aims for safe in-person voting June 2
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-aims-for-safe-in-person-voting-on-june-2/
Left or right? Contradictory instructions on mail-in ballots
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/left-or-right-contradictory-instructions-on-mail-in-ballots-1.2629896
Health Care
Remember other vaccines
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/remember-other-vaccines-1.2629865
Local News
Cipriani OK’d as Scranton’s new OECD chief
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/cipriani-ok-d-as-scranton-s-new-oecd-chief-1.2630041
Tractor-trailer filled with Frito-Lay brand chips and more donated to Feeding Freeport
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/tractor-trailer-filled-with-frito-lay-chips-and-more-donated-to-feeding-freeport/
Luzerne County Council nears voting on proposal seeking movement to less restrictive coronavirus yellow phase
https://www.timesleader.com/news/784336/luzerne-county-council-nears-voting-on-proposal-seeking-movement-to-less-restrictive-coronavirus-yellow-phase
Flood authority seeks grant for levee study
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/flood-authority-seeks-grant-for-levee-study-1.2629954
Lehigh Valley municipalities announce that pools will be closed for the season
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-allentown-bethlehem-city-pool-closed-20200519-yoi7gjjnqfbjtmyf67rdf5zqxy-story.html
Radnor BOC tables discussions on legal marijuana sales and safe injection sites in the township
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/mainlinetimes/radnor-boc-tables-discussions-on-legal-marijuana-sales-and-safe-injection-sites-in-the-township/article_1d998d8e-99fc-11ea-8ca4-e3b9e892950b.html
Lower Merion reopens tennis courts in township parks
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/mainlinetimes/lower-merion-reopens-tennis-courts-in-township-parks/article_b930d424-99ba-11ea-8bd3-bbc7a30fbb1c.html
Allentown EMS awarded state gaming funds to help cover cost of new ambulance
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-ems-ambulance-state-gaming-grant-casa-guadalupe-20200518-g2m5gx3e5vanhobqrnnbodu6ze-story.html
National News
FCC chair: ‘Tremendous’ demand for telehealth, remote learning options amid pandemic
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/05/19/FCC-telehealth-Ajit-Pai-schools-hospitals-COVID-19-money-economic-rescue-package-Doyle/stories/202005190105
DOJ warns California that coronavirus rules may violate religious freedoms
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/05/19/California-coronavirus-reopening-Justice-Department-churches/stories/202005190165
Philly
The owner of Hahnemann hospital says he’s not the coronavirus villain you think he is
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/joel-freedman-hahnemann-hospital-philadelphia-coronavirus-20200520.html
May 19 coronavirus update: City to test all city jail inmates for coronavirus infection
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/coronavirus/may-19-coronavirus-update-city-to-test-all-city-jail-inmates-for-coronavirus-infection/article_90a26422-d14d-5c15-812d-0ec10d798b06.html
‘It’s important you know I grew up in the ’hood,’ says this wildlife conservationist from Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/news/corina-newsome-hood-naturalist-philadelphia-we-the-people-20200520.html
Coronavirus trends are ‘quite encouraging’ in Philly as N.J. allows in-person car sales, bike service to resume
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-new-jersey-philadelphia-cases-decrease-reopening-testing-delaware-tax-rebates-20200519.html
Philly-area residents pay off more student debt — nearly $40,000, on average — than graduates in San Francisco and New York
https://www.inquirer.com/news/student-loan-debt-philadelphia-neighborhoods-delinquency-federal-reserve-20200519.html
School District leaders: Maintain education funding for Philly students | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-school-district-funding-education-tom-wolf-20200519.html
Jim Kenney’s budget for Philly makes tough cuts. But are they the right ones? | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/jim-kenney-mayor-philadelphia-budget-economy-20200519.html
Urban League of Philadelphia offers funds to families at risk of foreclosure or eviction
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/coronavirus/urban-league-of-philadelphia-offers-funds-to-families-at-risk-of-foreclosure-or-eviction/article_fe25d57f-5ba7-508f-9618-90c0804cc8ea.html
Pitt
Allegheny County election officials describe around-the-clock efforts amid ‘perfect storm’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/05/19/Allegheny-County-election-board-officials-voters-mail-in-ballots-applications/stories/202005190160
Ahead of pandemic primary, nearly 30 percent of Allegheny County voters apply to vote by mail
https://www.witf.org/2020/05/20/ahead-of-pandemic-primary-nearly-30-percent-of-allegheny-county-voters-apply-to-vote-by-mail/
Emergency food bank distribution scheduled today at Pittsburgh International Airport
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/05/20/Emergency-food-bank-distribution-schedule-pittsburgh-pandemic/stories/202005200073
Med students start Pittsburgh COVIDsitters to help health care workers
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/05/19/Pittsburgh-COVIDsitters-Ross-University-healthcare-workers-volunteers/stories/202005130080
Pittsburgh City Council extends COVID-19 emergency disaster declaration
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/05/19/Pittsburgh-City-Council-extends-emergency-declaration/stories/202005190096
Pittsburgh EMS recognized for quality of emergency pediatric care
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-ems-recognized-for-quality-of-emergency-pediatric-care/
Pittsburgh moves to easier online permitting services
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-moves-to-easier-online-permitting-services/
Pittsburgh sets virtual board and commission meetings for June
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-sets-virtual-board-and-commission-meetings-for-june/
State News
Poconos property manager is getting a second chance to fight for her job
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/airbnb-property-management-real-estate-broker-pa-supreme-court-20200520.html
State Supreme Court hears argument on Western Psych shooting case
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/05/19/State-Supreme-Court-hears-argument-John-Schick-Western-Psych-shooting-case-involuntary-commitment/stories/202005190119
Pa. National Guard’s flyover a show of support for front-line health care workers
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/05/19/AHN-Forbes-Hospital-UPMC-Mercy-COVID-19-Pennsylvania-National-Guard-flyover-support-healthcare/stories/202005190108
Pennsylvania food distributors receive $50 million for food box program
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pennsylvania-food-distributors-receive-50-million-for-food-box-program/
Rebate checks may arrive earlier for some Pennsylvania homeowners and renters
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/05/19/Rebate-checks-may-arrive-earlier-for-some-Pennsylvania-homeowners-and-renters/stories/202005190130
Pennsylvania to send property tax/rent rebate checks sooner because of pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pennsylvania-to-send-property-tax-rent-rebate-checks-sooner-because-of-pandemic/
Seniors to receive immediate property tax/rent rebate payments
https://www.timesleader.com/news/784268/seniors-to-receive-immediate-property-tax-rent-rebate-payments
As Pa. agriculture fairs are canceled, rural communities miss out on tradition, social engagement
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/as-pa-agriculture-fairs-are-canceled-rural-communities-miss-out-on-tradition-social-engagement/
World News
Global carbon emissions drop 17% during pandemic’s peak, study says
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/05/19/global-carbon-emissions-drop-17-percent-coronavirus-pandemic-lockdowns-study/stories/202005190172