Daily Policy Update

Each day a summary of news and information that has been gathered from community partners and credible news sites will be posted.

Governor Wolf:

• “Gov. Wolf Encourages Voters to Apply for a Mail-in Ballot” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-encourages-voters-to-apply-for-a-mail-in-ballot/
• **Governor Wolf will address the state this evening at 7pm and ‘my sources’ tell me he will be providing more details about his approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, and specifically to the process for a phased reopening of the commonwealth in the coming weeks and months.
  • You can view the Governor’s remarks at 7pm tonight at either www.governor.pa.gov/live  or at www.facebook.com/governorwolf (or you can wait for a summary of it tomorrow! But I wanted to make sure to get all of this info out to you all before we are all asleep!)

State Government:

General CoVid resources: https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/

Dept of Human Services: “Support and Resources for Victims and Survivors of Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault Available” : https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/DHS_details.aspx?newsid=522

Dept of Health:

• “Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,156 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 35,684” : https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Health-Details.aspx?newsid=783
• Link to Statewide map of testing sites: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Symptoms-Testing.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0q72qATsxBX9zL0KMErYO_OQZutSgVMY1I4fEEa8-3zcHN_7WixZ-VFAY
• COVID-19 Data: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Cases.aspx (now available at zip code-level data)
• Lancaster Stats: 1,326 cases. 6,104 negative tests. 86 deaths. (According to DOH website- updated today at 12:00pm)

National News:

Washington Post:

• In an interview with The Post, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that a second wave of the novel coronavirus could be worse because it will probably coincide with the start of the flu season, putting even more strain on our health-care system. Read more about why Robert Redfield is warning the second wave could be even more devastating, and a possible ‘alternative workforce’ to battle it.
• Economists are warning there’s a growing possibility of a W-shaped economic recovery — a path where we see some initial improvement before a resurgence of the virus or a spike in defaults leads to another downturn. “The economy went into an ice age overnight. We’re in a deep freeze," said Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton. "As the economy thaws, we’ll see the damage done as well. Flooding will occur.” Read more about our potentially W-shaped financial future that could be triggered by reopening too early.
• The anti-quarantine protests seem spontaneous, but behind the scenes, a powerful network of right-leaning individuals and groups has helped incubate the fervor. The demonstrations are reminiscent of the tea party movement and rallies against Obamacare in 2010, which also involved a mix of homegrown activism and shrewd behind-the-scenes funding. Here are the groups behind these seemingly organic demonstrations.
• At least two people who died in early and mid-February had covid-19, California health officials said. The victims died on Feb. 6 and Feb. 17. This is notable because the first fatality was thought to have occurred on Feb. 29, in Washington state. The newly found fatalities push back the earliest death by weeks, potentially altering the timeline of the entire U.S. outbreak.
• Fears about meat shortages are deepening after Tyson Foods closes its largest pork plant.
• How to get a small-business loan under the new $484 billion coronavirus aid package.

Recurring Resources:

• Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health:
  • Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health COVID-19 Data: online dashboard with COVID-19 testing and patient data. The site is accessible from the LGHealth.org homepage (click “data” in the top red banner), or at the link below. Data is updated each morning.
    • https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/news/covid-19-data-for-lg-health

• Lancaster Chamber:
  • Website updated daily: https://www.lancasterchamber.com/Apps/Pages/coronavirusnews
  • Unemployment Compensation Details: https://www.lancasterchamber.com/Apps/Pages/page-slug-92504?formEntryId=17851
  • NEW WEBINARS:
    • Lancaster Chamber - "Bringing the Local Community Back" Discussion
      Friday, April 24 from 1-2pm
      Tom Baldrige, President & CEO, will be joined by Lisa Riggs, President of Economic Development Company of Lancaster County, to discuss the local Economic Recovery Plan being actively developed by the Chamber & EDC.
      REGISTER NOW

• • • Workplace Considerations & Compliance
      When: Monday, April 27 from 3:30-4:30pm

Join us for a webinar featuring Steve Matzura and Austin Wolfe of McNees Wallace & Nurick as they discuss workplace safety measures, employer mandates related to building safety, cleaning measures and employee requirements, and OSHA guidance and compliance.

REGISTER NOW

• • • Beyond PPP: Loan Forgiveness & Cash Flow Strategies
      When: Tuesday, April 28 from 3-4pm

In this session, you’ll hear from Ryan Hurst and Bethany Novis, partners in RKL’s Consulting Services Group, who will provide insights and strategies into putting your company in the best possible position for loan forgiveness amid current ambiguity and making informed business decisions around your workforce, revenue planning and operating expenses to protect your company’s short and long-term success.
REGISTER NOW

• • • Non-Profit Peer Group – Communications & Marketing
      When: Thursday, April 23 from 1-2pm
      Join your peers for a discussion on best practices and tips to communicate and marketing your organization during the COVID19 pandemic. Featuring Tony Gorick, Lancaster Chamber; Brian Nguyen, Community Action Partnership; Gretchen Lusby, ASSETS.
      REGISTER NOW

• Local Govt:
  • Mayor Danene Sorace is hosting daily briefings on Facebook every night at 5pm
  • The County has a COVID site to keep up to date with their response: https://co.lancaster.pa.us/1296/Coronavirus-Disease-COVID-19

• Food/Meals:
  • Hunger Free Lancaster County: https://hungerfreelancaster.org/resources/important-resources-during-covid-19/

• Childcare:
  • Resource to find childcare providers with waivers: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/providers/Providers/Pages/Coronavirus-Child-Care.aspx

National Resources:

• Intimate Partner Violence and Child Abuse
  • SAMHSA has published this document to address intimate partner violence and child abuse health concerns. Because the stay-at-home order can force victims to remain in a dangerous situation, cases of abuse are expected to rise. See the bottom of the document for useful resources pertaining to intimate partner violence and child abuse.
• CDC and CISA released two important informational products related to potential COVID-19 exposures
  • Interim Guidance for implementing safety practices for critical infrastructure workers who may have had exposure to a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
  • Quick reference of the Do’s and Don’ts for employers and employees related to COVID-19 exposures.

Landlord Forum:

• Join Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership, Tabor Community Services, Inc.,  the United Way of Lancaster County, PA, and the Northern Lancaster Hub in a virtual event for landlords and a conversation about COVID-19 on Monday, April 27 from 5:00 until 6:00 p.m.
  • This crisis is having a huge impact on rental housing, with almost 1 out of 3 tenants not being able to pay rent in April. We’ll talk about eviction and utility moratorium and what that means for your business. We’ll also discuss social services available to stabilize tenants and share what strategies are working locally. This conversation will take place via Zoom conference call. Registration is required at the link below.
  • https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJclcOCtrjosGtZFXSGRvs5MHjyYJ5SG9ai8

Masks:

• If anyone needs help getting masks (non-N95 obviously) please reply to this email.

Seniors & Food:

• The Lancaster County Office of Aging has options for individuals age 60+ who are having difficulty securing food. Currently, they are delivering over 400 frozen meals to senior center members, and funding hundreds more meals through Meals on Wheels and another home delivery services every week. Most home deliveries also provide a visual check on the senior in the event there are other urgent needs not being met.
• Here’s how you can help:
  • Home delivered meals are available to individuals age 60+ who are homebound and unable to obtain a hot meal.
  • Those able to pay (minimal cost/day) should directly contact their local Meals on Wheels program. If they don’t know where to call, they can contact the Lancaster MOW at 717-392-4842 and Lancaster MOW will direct them to the appropriate office.
  • Those unable to pay should contact the Office of Aging at 717-299-7979 or www.lancoaging.org to connect with a care manager. That care manager will determine if they are eligible to receive a subsidy. Currently there is no waiting list for meal subsidies. Please advise the senior that care managers will return calls one time, so the senior will need to be available when called.