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Special Edition 1 16 17 National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund with End of Year Fatality report, National School Choice Week, AARP Advice for older job seekers, Taxes will be different this year

Special Edition January 16 and 17 Marcia Ferranto, CEO National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund with End of Year Fatality report. Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week discuss school choice and the changing education scene in your region and across America, Susan Weinstock, VP of Financial Resilience AARP Advice for older job seekers. Mark Steber, Chief Tax Information Officer at Jackson Hewitt taxpayers WILL have a different tax return experience than last year!Kevin Stewart, Director of Environmental Health, Advocacy and Public Policy American Lung Association on RADON Awareness.

January 18, 2021

Special Edition 1 9 and 10 Kevin Stewart, American Lung Association on RADON Awareness, Justin Behrens, of Keystone Mission, Karel Zubris, Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame

Special Edition January 9 and 10 Kevin Stewart, Director of Environmental Health, Advocacy and Public Policy American Lung Association on RADON Awareness, Justin Behrens, Exec Director and CEO of Keystone Mission, Karel Zubris, Delegate and Historian for the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame with fundraising efforts for the HIP Center in Hazleton.

January 11, 2021

Special Edition 1 2 and 3 Deadline extension for "Pennie", Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame helping the HIP Center, Volunteer with the American Red Cross

Special Edition January 2 and 3 Desiree Natale Director of Healthcare Innovations at the Wright Center Scranton with an update on Pennie Insurance, Tina Zukowski Associate Vice President of Revenue Integrity at the Wright Center and more they have to offer, Karel Zubris, Delegate and Historian for the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame, with details on how they are raising funds for the HIP Center in Hazleton, Grace Palmer, Volunteer Recruitment Specialist with American Red Cross

January 04, 2021

The Importance of Self-Care During the Pandemic

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has created a website (Self-Care for Families and Youth) to help students (and families) take care of their own mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health. The importance of self-care when learning (or working) from home is essential to help maintain a feeling of calm, balance, and wellness. The new website focuses on self-care strategies to help individuals create a self-care plan. These times can be overwhelming. Through the new website, the Pennsylvania Department of Education hopes to introduce ideas to lower stress, implement techniques to help maintain order and life structure, help put a focus on goals, and provide a distraction to break up the monotony of the same old, same old during the pandemic.The website is broken up into the following two categories: Family Self-Care Strategies and Youth Self-Care Strategies.Subcategories include links to music, meditation, breathing exercises, and educational, live video streams.

December 21, 2020

Special Edition 12 19 20 You can still Volunteer, Grace Palmer with the American Red Cross has details, also The Women's Resource Center and Equines for Freedom

Special Edition December 19 and 20 Grace Palmer, Volunteer Recruitment Specialist with American Red Cross, Peg Ruddy, Women’s Resource Center, Philip Hawthorne, Board Member Equines for Freedom

December 21, 2020

Governor Wolf Announces New COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts

Harrisburg, PA – As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today implored Pennsylvanians to take the next three weeks and stand united against the virus by adhering to existing mitigation orders and stricter efforts announced today.“Today I am announcing additional, temporary COVID-19 protective mitigation measures in the commonwealth,” said Gov. Wolf. “With these measures in place, we hope to accomplish three goals: First, stop the devastating spread of COVID-19 in the commonwealth. Second, keep our hospitals and health care workers from becoming overwhelmed. And third, help Pennsylvanians get through the holiday season – and closer to a widely available vaccine – as safely as possible. This is a bridge to a better future in Pennsylvania.”The new, limited-time mitigation orders take effect at 12:01 a.m. on December 12, and remain in effect until 8 a.m. on January 4, 2021. “Each of the last two days we have reported the highest number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic,” Dr. Rachel Levine said. “In the past week, we have reported close to 1,100 new deaths from COVID-19 across Pennsylvania. The virus continues to strain our health care systems and the dramatic rise in cases among all age groups, including among school-age children, is alarming. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been more than 37,500 cases among children age 5 to 18, yet 9,500 of those cases occurred in the past two weeks.”The Order provisions outlined here are accompanied by supportive data used in part to make these decisions. The data provides a sampling of research that supports why limiting gatherings, reducing occupancy, and temporarily suspending some activities, among other efforts, are considered vital to stopping the spread of COVID-19.Two recent studies, one by Yale University and one by Stanford University, substantiate more than one of these mitigation efforts. Links to the full studies and additional data and research can be found on the Department of Health’s data page, here. Limited-Time Mitigation efforts announced today include:In-Person Dining and Alcohol SalesAll in-person indoor dining at businesses in the retail food services industry, including, but not limited to, bars, restaurants, breweries, wineries, distilleries, social clubs, and private catered events is prohibited. Outdoor dining, take-out food service, and take-out alcohol sales are permitted and may continue, subject to any limitations or restrictions imposed by Pennsylvania law, or this or any other Order issued by the Sec. of Health or by the governor. Multiple studies have found indoor dining to drive case increases and fatalities. A study by JP Morgan analyzed credit card spending of more than 30 million Chase cardholders and Johns Hopkins University’s case tracker and found that higher restaurant spending in a state predicted a rise in new infections there three weeks later. Additionally, research from Stanford University found that restaurants accounted for a significant amount of new infections while research from Yale University found that closing restaurants reduced fatality rates. Indoor Gatherings and EventsIndoor gatherings and events of more than 10 persons are prohibited. Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and other places of congregate worship are specifically excluded from the limitations set forth above during religious services, these institutions are strongly encouraged to find alternative methods for worship, as in person gatherings pose a significant risk to participants at this time. While this an incredibly difficult recommendation to make, particularly at this time of year, faith leaders must carefully weigh the health risks to their congregants given the immense amount of community spread of COVID-19.A new study from Stanford University and published in the journal, nature, used cellphone data collected from 10 U.S. cities from March to May to demonstrate that restaurants, gyms, cafes, churches and other crowded indoor venues accounted for some 8 in 10 new infections in the early months of the U.S. coronavirus epidemic. Outdoor Gatherings and EventsOutdoor gatherings and events of more than 50 persons are prohibited. According to a Yale University study, limiting outdoor gatherings was among consistent policies found to reduce fatality rates. The CDC states that medium-sized outdoor gatherings carry a higher risk of COVID-19 spread, even with social distancing. CDC notes that the more people an individual interacts with at a gathering and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the potential risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and COVID-19 spreading, and that the higher the level of community transmission in the area that the gathering is being held, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spreading during a gathering.Capacity Limits for BusinessesAll in-person businesses serving the public may only operate at up to 50% of the maximum capacity stated on the applicable certificate of occupancy, except as limited by existing orders to a smaller capacity limit. The same Stanford University study that collected cellphone data also noted that limiting indoor capacity can reduce COVID-19 transmissions.Gyms and Fitness Facilities Indoor operations at gyms and fitness facilities are prohibited. Outdoor facilities and outdoor classes can continue, but all participants must wear face coverings in accordance with the Sec. of Health’s Updated Order Requiring Universal Face Coverings, including any subsequent amendments, and practice physical distancing requirements. According to a Yale University study, closing businesses like gyms was among consistent policies found to reduce fatality rates.Entertainment Industry All in-person businesses in the entertainment industry serving the public within a building or indoor defined area, including, but not limited to, theaters, concert venues, museums, movie theaters, arcades, casinos, bowling alleys, private clubs, and all other similar entertainment, recreational or social facilities, are prohibited from operation. The CDC puts movie theaters and other indoor settings on its list of higher-risk activities for contracting COVID-19.In-Person Extracurricular School ActivitiesVoluntary activities sponsored or approved by a school entity's governing body or administration are suspended, but these extracurricular activities may be held virtually. This includes, but is not limited to, attendance at or participation in activities such musical ensembles, school plays, student council, clubs, and school dances.Our top priority is stopping the spread of this virus so students and teachers can return to their classrooms as soon as possible. Data from the Department of Health notes that one-quarter of the cases of COVID among school-age children have occurred within the past two weeks, increasing the need to keep children safe outside of school so that they can return to classrooms.K-12 School Sports and Youth SportsAll sports at K-12 public schools, nonpublic schools, private schools and club, travel, recreational, intermural, and intramural sports are paused.The Pennsylvania Principals Association is recommending a delay to the start of the winter sports season. The surge in cases among school-age children increases the risk that asymptomatic participants will spread the virus at a game or practice, in the locker room, while traveling to and from events, or at team meals, parties or other gatherings. Professional and Collegiate Sports Professional or collegiate sports activities may continue in accordance with guidance from the CDC and the Department of Health.Spectators may not attend such sports activities in person. The CDC warns large gatherings create a high risk of COVID-19 spreading. “We know that COVID-19 thrives in places where people gather together,” Gov. Wolf said. “Therefore, these mitigation measures target high-risk environments and activities and aim to reduce the spread of this devastating virus.”According to Yale University research, mitigation measures such as mandatory mask requirements, and gym and restaurant closures are policies that most consistently predict lower four- to six-week-ahead fatality growth.“The work we do now to slow the spread of COVID-19 is not only crucial to keeping our fellow Pennsylvanians safe and healthy,” Gov. Wolf said. “It will help all of us get back to normal, and back to all of the things we’ve missed, faster. And it means more Pennsylvanians will be alive to celebrate that brighter future. This year, we show our love for our families and friends by celebrating safely and protecting one another.”

December 10, 2020

Governor Wolf Tests Positive for COVID-19

Harrisburg, PA – Wednesday afternoon, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf released the following statement after testing positive for COVID-19:“During a routine test yesterday, I tested positive for COVID-19. I have no symptoms and am feeling well. I am following CDC and Department of Health guidelines. Frances has been tested and, as we await the result, is quarantining at home with me.“I am continuing to serve the commonwealth and performing all of my duties remotely, as many are doing during the pandemic.“As this virus rages, my positive test is a reminder that no one is immune from COVID, that following all precautions as I have done is not a guarantee, but it is what we know to be vital to stopping the spread of the disease and so I ask all Pennsylvanians to wear a mask, stay home as much as possible, socially distance yourself from those not in your household, and, most of all, take care of each other and stay safe.”Governor Wolf is currently in isolation at home.

December 09, 2020

2020: Reservations Required to Attend Christmas Eve and Christmas Mass in Scranton

Those who plan to attend Christmas Eve or Christmas Day masses in person will want to check with their parish to see if they need a reservation. In an effort to maintain social distancing, the Diocese of Scranton announced St Peter’s Cathedral will take reservations until December 22 or until capacity is reached. It was also announced that parishes may begin Christmas Eve masses at 2pm again as a way to limit the size of attendance. Masks and social distancing will take place. Click here to make reservation

December 07, 2020

Special Edition 12 5 6 Catching up with The Women's Resource Center and the Wright Center, Medicare Enrollment Advice, Dr. Helen Boucher on Covid 19 and PennDOT virtual car seat safety

Special Edition 12 5 6 Peg Ruddy Women’s Resource Center, Dr. Helen Boucher, the Chief of the Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Tufts Medical Center discusses COVID 19 and what’s next. Desiree Natale, Director of Health Care Innovations at the Wright Center, Tina Zukowski Associate Vice President of Revenue Integrity at the Wright Center Scranton. Mike Taluto with PennDOT with information on virtual car seat safety checks now underway.

December 07, 2020

PA State Treasurer To Save Highway Construction Jobs

The state treasurer says his agency has come up with plans to prevent shutdowns of highway construction and safety work amid tax collections lagging because of economic fallout from the pandemic. Treasurer Joe Torsella says he was prepared to authorize financial support to the Motor License Fund to keep contractors paid and on the job through the fiscal year ending June 30. Torsella said he could loan treasury funds to the Motor License Fund, as well as advance a portion of a loan that lawmakers may decide to authorize against future tax collections that go into the fund, such as motorist fees and gas taxes.

December 02, 2020