Coronavirus category, Page 189
Pennsylvania audit to determine whether lobbyists, legislators influenced business waivers
There have been numerous cases in which the state granted waivers allowing some businesses to operate during the state’s coronavirus shutdown while other, similar businesses were denied, according to state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale. That’s not an inherent sign of improper behavior by the state Department of Community and Economic...
Whistleblower: U.S. still lacks coronavirus plan, Americans at risk
WASHINGTON — Despite White House claims, the U.S. still lacks a comprehensive battle plan against the coronavirus in critical areas including masks, testing, treatments and vaccines, whistleblower Rick Bright warned Thursday in testimony before a House committee. “Our window of opportunity is closing,” he declared. The nation could face “the...
Allegheny County reports no new coronavirus deaths, adds 6 cases
Allegheny County reported no new coronavirus deaths Thursday, holding the countywide death toll at 139. This comes after officials on Wednesday reported 12 more deaths and 19 additional cases of covid-19. That was among the highest number of deaths reported in a single day; however, those deaths could have occurred...
What you need to know as Southwestern Pennsylvania enters yellow phase
Most of Southwestern Pennsylvania, including Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, will move from the red phase to the yellow phase of the state’s tiered reopening plan Friday. Some restrictions put in place to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus will be eased or lifted. Here’s what you need to know: Do...
10 quarantine habits to keep after shutdown endsVideo
We breathe a tentative sigh of relief as much of Western Pennsylvania approaches the yellow phase in the gradual easing of coronavirus-related restrictions, beginning Friday. There are a few things we won’t miss when we emerge from the covid-19 quarantine — things like social distancing that keep us apart from...
36 million have sought U.S. unemployment aid since coronavirus hitVideo
WASHINGTON — Nearly 3 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week as the viral outbreak forced more companies to slash jobs even though most states have begun to let some businesses reopen. Roughly 36 million people have now sought jobless aid in just the two months since...
Season that wasn’t: Spring claimed by coronavirus pandemic
By the time spring arrived in the Northern Hemisphere, the pandemic had the world firmly in its grip. The vernal equinox arrived March 19, the day California handed down the first statewide stay-at-home order in the United States. Most of the country would soon follow suit. In the coming weeks,...
‘A pressure cooker’: Gov. Wolf aims to contain GOP revolt in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG — By many accounts, Gov. Tom Wolf has helped mitigate Pennsylvania’s coronavirus outbreak and avoided the full-blown disasters seen elsewhere. His success in the next challenge — containing the growing resistance to his efforts — is to be determined. The Democrat at the helm in one of the premier...
Recovered from covid-19, Rep. Mike Kelly donates plasma to help sick patients get better fasterVideo
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly is grateful that he beat covid-19 without getting so sick or short of breath that he had to be hospitalized. But the affliction was not like any flu or illness the Butler Republican he’d experienced before. For weeks, Kelly, 72, felt debilitatingly exhausted. He had persistent...
Coronavirus physical distancing also helped stop flu in Allegheny County, officials say
Physical distancing measures put in place to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus also likely helped to knock out flu season in Allegheny County, data from the Allegheny County Health Department show. The number of lab-confirmed flu cases in the county dropped off by late March, decreasing from about 300...
Trump presses for schools to reopen, makes dig at Dr. FauciVideo
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump called on governors across the nation Wednesday to work to reopen schools in their states, pointedly taking issue with Dr. Anthony Fauci’s caution against moving too quickly in sending students back to class. The president accused Fauci of wanting “to play all sides of the...
Test used by White House still misses many covid-19 cases, NYU study says
The coronavirus test from Abbott Laboratories used at the White House to get rapid answers to whether someone is infected may miss as many as half of positive cases, according to a report from New York University. The analysis, which has yet to be confirmed, found that Abbott’s ID NOW...
Online group plans Harrisburg protest over continued covid closures
A private Facebook group that has gained more than 90,000 members in the past month is planning a protest Friday in Harrisburg against Pennsylvania’s quarantine measures to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. ReOpen PA, described as a non-partisan group “for residents of Pennsylvania to organize and work towards...
Michigan strikes back by suspending elderly barber’s license
DETROIT — State regulators on Wednesday suspended the license of a 77-year-old Michigan barber who insisted on cutting hair despite an order to stay closed during the coronavirus pandemic. Karl Manke has pledged to keep his shop open “until Jesus comes.” A judge declined the state’s request to shut down...
CCAC holding virtual commencement Thursday
With the covid-19 crisis rendering an in-person graduation exercise impossible, the Community College of Allegheny County is holding a virtual commencement ceremony for the class of 2020 on Thursday. The ceremony, which starts at at 7 p.m., will be streamed on the college’s YouTube channel and other social media platforms,...
Los Angeles County reopens beaches closed by coronavirus concerns
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County reopened its beaches Wednesday in the latest cautious easing of coronavirus restrictions that have closed most California public spaces and businesses for nearly two months. County beaches and many city-owned beaches along the 75 miles of coastline are open only for “active recreation” such...
North Huntingdon man survives ‘battle’ with covid-19, cheered by Excela hospital staffVideo
With a wave, a few tears and a honk of the horn, Mark Nicholas was finally heading home. Wednesday marked the first time in seven weeks that the North Huntingdon man and his wife, Karyl Nicholas, were able to touch each other. Mark, 62, tested positive for the coronavirus in...
Peduto backs controversial sand dumping in Pittsburgh skateboard park
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said Wednesday that he still supports the decision to dump sand into a neighborhood skateboard park despite the negative backlash that followed. The controversy began after Public Works Director Mike Gable ordered a crew to dump sand in the West Penn Skate Park in Polish Hill...
Whistleblower: U.S. could face coronavirus rebound ‘darkest winter’
WASHINGTON — America faces the “darkest winter in modern history” unless leaders act decisively to prevent a rebound of the coronavirus, says a government whistleblower who alleges he was ousted from his job for warning the Trump administration to prepare for the pandemic. Immunologist Dr. Rick Bright makes his sobering...
Many Florida residents dying at home because they are afraid to go to a hospital, reports showVideo
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — New numbers from Fort Lauderdale Fire and Rescue and Broward County Fire and Rescue confirm what many have suspected: More people are afraid to go to the hospital and, as a result, are dying at home. Reports released this week from the two fire and rescue...
Coronavirus restrictions fuel anti-government ‘boogaloo’ movement
SILVER SPRING, Md. — They carry high-powered rifles and wear tactical gear, but their Hawaiian shirts and leis are what stand out in the crowds that have formed at state capital buildings to protest covid-19 lockdown orders. The signature look for the “boogaloo” anti-government movement is designed to get attention....
‘New lease on life’: Hempfield man recovers from covid-19, donates plasma to help othersVideo
Monte Swauger had been coughing for weeks. One night in March, he got worse. An emergency room visit to AHN Hempfield Neighborhood Hospital on March 19 set off six excruciating days for his wife, Carrie, and their three sons. Swauger, 49, was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia. His positive coronavirus test...
Iowa to reopen restaurants, salons, barber shops and gyms
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Restaurants, salons, barber shops and gyms in Iowa can reopen this week, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Wednesday, even as she remained in “modified quarantine” and the state’s coronavirus deaths continued to rise. Reynolds said she would allow restaurants, libraries and fitness centers in 22 counties, including...
Pittsburgh mayor trying to avoid city layoffs as revenue dips
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said Wednesday that he is not yet considering employee layoffs as the city’s government revenue dwindles during the coronavirus pandemic. The city reported revenues since March decreased by 25% when compared to the same time period in 2019. Citing data provided by the Office of Management...
Colleen Shogan: Lessons in perseverance from the suffrage movement
The story of American women’s fight for their right to vote is full of inspiring examples of persevering through difficult times, and Pittsburgh women led the way. During the current health crisis, we must find sources of inspiration that can help us cope during these unprecedented times. As vice chair...
