Covid-19 headlines for Thursday, May 7, 2020:
• Lancaster County unveils plan for Covid-19 recovery funds: Commissioner Ray D'Agostino said it calls for using the $95 million in federal funds as follows: $53 million to assist businesses in reopening the economy, $35 million for health and welfare, including contact tracing; and about $7 million to maintain government functions. A vote on the plan (available here) is set for Wednesday. (Source: LNP)
• Gov. Wolf creates Civilian Coronavirus Corps: The initiative will assist with testing and contact tracing "and provide critical new job opportunities in the public health sector," the governor said (Source: WGAL)
• Hearing details shortcomings at nursing homes: Facilities were unprepared for Covid-19 and were neglected in the rush to help hospitals, witnesses told the state Senate Democratic Policy Committee. (Source: WGAL)
• Businesses defy shutdown order: State officials say reopening too early risks public health, but has not cracked down on enforcement, relying instead on voluntary compliance. (Source: PennLive) In related news. the U.S. Supreme Court declined to lift Pennsylvania's shutdown order (Source: The Hill), while Republican lawmakers are trying to limit Gov. Wolf's emergency authority. (Source: LNP)
• National roundup: Another 3.2 million U.S. workers filed for unemployment, bringing the total to 33 million since the Covid-19 pandemic began. (Source: AP) Many states are having to borrow federal money to pay unemployment claims. (Source: ABC News) The Trump administration has shelved detailed CDC guidance on reopening the economy. (Source: AP) States have ramped up Covid-19 testing far less than they need to. (Source: NPR)