April 4, 2020 4:12 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Trump administration has abruptly changed its description of the Strategic National Stockpile and put forward a narrower vision of the role the federal government’s repository of life-saving medicines and equipment should play in supplying states’ needs. The change conforms with President Donald Trump’s insistence that it is only a short-term backup for states, not a commitment to ensure supplies get quickly to those who need them most during an emergency. The change was reflected on government websites on Friday. It came a day after Trump son-in-law and senior White House adviser Jared Kushner offered a new argument about the stockpile.
April 4, 2020 4:10 am
NEW YORK (AP) – Scarce supplies of medical equipment are leading to growing competition within the U.S. and among nations, in what one French politician called a “worldwide treasure hunt.” The governor of New York state, the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak, has vowed to seize unused ventilators from private hospitals and companies, while President Donald Trump says he’s preventing the export of N95 respirator masks and surgical gloves, a move he said was necessary to ensure that medical supplies are available in the U.S. Worldwide, confirmed infections rose past 1 million and deaths topped 58,000. Europe’s three worst-hit countries – Italy, Spain and France – accounted for more than 32,000 dead, or over half the global toll.
April 4, 2020 3:24 am
Due to the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 crisis, Monongahela Valley Hospital and United Steelworkers of America Local 8041 have agreed to a one-year extension of their contract. The agreement comes approximately three months before the contract was set to expire on June 30, 2020. Local 8041 represents nearly one-half of the hospital’s 1,300 employees including technical staff; nursing assistants; unit clerks; laundry; nutrition and food service; housekeeping; and maintenance personnel. Nurses at Monongahela Valley Hospital are not members of the union. “Hospital administration and the union both agreed that this was the right decision as we navigate through these challenging times in the delivery of health care to our patients and their families,” explained Louis J. Panza Jr., president and CEO of Monongahela Valley Hospital. “We share a common goal — to remain focused on providing the highest level of care to our community. “We appreciate the willingness by the union members to extend the contract so that we all could do what we do best — take care of our community,” Mr. Panza added. Richard McGinn, a boiler/fireman who serves as president of Local 8041, echoed Mr. Panza’s praise for the extension. “We all needed to do what was right for our members, the hospital staff and most importantly our community right now.” Under the extension, the language that governs employees’ wages, benefits and working conditions remains unchanged.
April 3, 2020 3:36 pm
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Pennsylvania’s governor says residents should wear a cloth mask in public to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Gov. Tom Wolf notes the federal government is readying guidance on the wearing of masks. He urged Pennsylvanians on Friday to make their own masks and wear them when they go to the grocery store, pharmacy or other places where people congregate. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported more than 1,400 additional people have tested positive for the virus, bringing the total number to over 8,420. There were 12 new deaths for a statewide toll of 102.
April 3, 2020 10:50 am
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Walt Disney Co. officials announced they’ll start furloughing some workers in two weeks at its theme parks resorts in Florida and California. The company said late Thursday the first wave of furloughs will start April 19 and involve workers whose jobs aren’t necessary at this time. Anyone who’s furloughed will remain a Disney employee. The statement didn’t say how many of Walt Disney World’s 75,000 employees or Disneyland’s 31,000 workers would be furloughed. The company has been paying workers and providing health care benefits at its theme park resorts since the parks closed in mid-March due to coronavirus concerns.
April 3, 2020 10:46 am
Singer Bill Withers has died. He wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time, including “Lean On Me,” “Lovely Day” and “Ain’t No Sunshine.” áAccording to a statement released from his family to The Associated Press, the 81-year-old died in Los Angeles from heart complications. “Lean On Me,” was performed at the presidential inaugurations of both Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Lately, people have posted videos of their versions of the song as inspiration during the coronavirus pandemic.
April 3, 2020 7:27 am
Freedom Transit is making more changes as they deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning Monday, April 6 fares will no longer be collected for any of the ‘Fixed Route’ or ‘Shared Ride’ programs. The move is being made to limit interaction between the driver and riders boarding the vehicle. In addition, on Tuesday, April 7 the Pittsburgh Metro route will undergo further service reduction. The runs will be limited to; Inbound, Run 3; 5:45 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Outbound, Run 4; 7:45 a.m. to 9:10 a.m. Inbound, Run 15; 2:20 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. and Outbound, Run 16; 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. At this time, the ‘Local A’, ‘Local B’, Local Saturday, and Metro Saturday routes will operate as normal.
April 3, 2020 5:11 am
The spread of the coronavirus caused rescheduling of Washington City Council meetings this week. The agenda meeting normally scheduled for Monday night was cancelled and the Thursday evening regular meeting was moved to 3PM, but if you went to city hall, no one was there. City council held their regular meeting Thursday, virtually. The public was able to participate by emailing staff before the meeting began. Council unanimously approved a declaration of emergency as it pertains to the public health associated with the Covid 19 pandemic. The declaration will run through July 2020 or until Governor Tom Wolf lifts his emergency disaster resolution. Councilman Ken Westcott alerted council that PennDot will be starting work on Maiden Street this Monday, Councilman Joe Manning directed business owners to the city website for information about loans and other programs from the state and federal government to assist during the current shutdown. Mayor Scott Putnam made council aware that everyone must work hard to keep to budget as revenues to the city are expected to be much lower this year due to business shut downs and unemployment associated with those shut downs.
April 3, 2020 3:55 am
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio asked New Yorkers to wear a face covering when they go outside and will be near other people. He cited research showing asymptomatic people could be spreading the virus without realizing it. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned Thursday that the state’s supply of ventilators could be exhausted in six days if the number of people becoming critically ill with the coronavirus maintains its rate. The number of New Yorkers killed by the virus soared again to over 2,300. In some instances, veterinarians are giving up their ventilators to help humans.
April 3, 2020 3:55 am
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) – A cruise ship that had at least two passengers die of coronavirus and others sickened while barred from South American ports has finally docked in Florida. The Zaandam and a sister ship sent to help it, the Rotterdam, were given permission to unload passengers at Port Everglades on Thursday, after days of negotiations with officials who feared it would divert resources from a region with a spike in virus cases. The agreement was reached Thursday by local, state and federal officials and Carnival Corp., which owns the Zaandam and the Rotterdam
