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:

June 16

• “Gov. Wolf: $157.5 Million Now Available for School Health and Safety Grants to Address COVID-19” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-157-5-million-now-available-for-school-health-and-safety-grants-to-address-COVID-19/
• “Gov. Wolf: Funding Awarded to Support Affordable Housing Projects in 17 Counties” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-funding-awarded-to-support-affordable-housing-projects-in-17-counties/
• “Advocacy Groups Celebrate Gov. Wolf’s Intellectual Disability/Autism Funding” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/advocacy-groups-celebrate-gov-wolfs-intellectual-disability-autism-funding/
• “Gov. Wolf Announces $40 Million in CARES Act Funding Available to Address Dairy Industry Relief, Food Security” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-announces-40-million-in-cares-act-funding-available-to-address-dairy-industry-relief-food-security/
• “First Lady Frances Wolf Partners with Pennsylvania PBS to Deliver Encouraging Messages to Children and Caregivers” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/first-lady-frances-wolf-partners-with-pennsylvania-pbs-to-deliver-encouraging-messages-to-children-and-caregivers/

 

June 15:

• “Gov. Wolf: Progress from House Judiciary on Police Reforms is Encouraging, Timely” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-progress-from-house-judiciary-on-police-reforms-is-encouraging-timely/
• “Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs Releases Statement on Death of Dominique ‘Rem’mie’ Fells” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/pennsylvania-commission-on-lgbtq-affairs-releases-statement-on-death-of-dominique-remmie-fells/

 

State Government:

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

 

Dept. of Education:

• “Gov. Wolf: $157.5 Million Now Available for School Health and Safety Grants to Address COVID-19” : https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Education-Details.aspx?newsid=884

 

Dept. of Human Services:

• “Human Services Secretary: Gov. Wolf’s Disaster Declaration Necessary as Health Care and Social Services Providers Rise to Continued Challenge of COVID-19” : https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/DHS_details.aspx?newsid=554

 

Dept. of Health:

• “Department of Health Reminds Pennsylvanians about Ticks, Warns Some Symptoms of Lyme Disease Similar to COVID-19” : https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Health-Details.aspx?newsid=863
• “Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 362 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 79,483” : https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Health-Details.aspx?newsid=864
  • 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
• Lancaster Stats: (According to Dept. of Health website- updated today at 12:00pm)
  • Total Cases: 3,802 cases.
  • Confirmed: 3,718
  • Probable: 84
  • Negative: 22,078
  • Cases per 100,000: 699.50

 

National News:

Washington Post:

The latest

• Our methods to prevent the spread of the coronavirus keeps growing: social distancing, rigorous hand washing, face masks and now the latest — closing the lid before we flush. Scientists who simulated toilet water and air flows found that aerosol droplets forced upward by a flush appear to spread wide enough and linger long enough to be inhaled. Experts call it the “toilet plume.” Combine that with the fact that coronavirus has been found in the feces of patients, and you can see what we're getting at.
• Children and teenagers are only half as likely to get infected with the coronavirus as adults, and if they do get it, they usually don’t develop clinical symptoms of COVID-19, a new study shows. Read about the research, which could guide policymakers deciding when and how to reopen schools and day-care centers.
• Coronavirus has been 12 times more deadly for people with underlying conditions like diabetes and heart disease than otherwise healthy patients, new research shows. And people with chronic issues have been hospitalized six times as often. The report, published by the CDC, is consistent with earlier ones showing the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on people with underlying medical conditions.
• Cases and hospitalizations continue to rise across the U.S., but at the same time, public health recommendations are under attack by people who are tired of staying at home, or officials who want to restart the economy. For example, elected officials in Orange County, Calif., forced the health department to scale back a mask-wearing order. As one epidemiologist there told us: “[People are] either just over it, or they’ve come to believe it’s a phony pandemic because their own personal grandmother hasn’t been affected yet."
• Observing President Trump as he prepares to resume his campaign activities this weekend could also lead one to falsely conclude the pandemic is over. Trump is defying Tulsa’s top public health official by pressing ahead with a large indoor rally there, virtually nobody around the president regularly wears a mask anymore and social distancing is a thing of the past. Anthony S. Fauci told NPR on Tuesday that he hasn't spoken with Trump in two weeks, as more than 20 states report upticks in new daily average cases.

 

Other important news

• Trump predicted there will be a vaccine and cure by the end of the year — a rosy scenario that clashes with what public health experts are saying.
• A generic steroid used to lower inflammation for other illnesses has been linked to decreasing mortality rates in severe COVID-19 cases, a clinical trial found.
• Brazil ignored the warnings. Now, while other countries fret over a second wave, it can’t get past its first.
• Retail sales spiked 17.7 percent in May, a sign the economy may be beginning to recover, but the Fed chief expressed caution about the road ahead.

 

Recurring Resources:

• OneUnitedLancaster.com
  • United Way of Lancaster County has launched a new website, OneUnitedLancaster.com. This digital source of information for our community works in tandem with United Way's 2-1-1 resources to connect people and resources during this time of upheaval.
  • The Asset Map is a county-wide resource for all to utilize. If you need to add/update/delete information please follow the link here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UWMAP20

 

• Lancaster Chamber:
  • Website updated daily: https://www.lancasterchamber.com/Apps/Pages/coronavirusnews
  • INFORMATIONAL WEBINARS/TRAINING:
    • Workplace Considerations & Compliance
      This webinar featured Steve Matzura and Austin Wolfe of McNees Wallace & Nurick as they discussed workplace safety measures, employer mandates related to building safety, cleaning measures and employee requirements, and OSHA guidance and compliance.
      ACCESS NOW
    • Workplace Considerations: Practical Strategies for your Workplace and Workforce
      Learn more about change management, how to create new norms, develop effective communication strategies, tips & tricks for outfitting your space and workforce and how to navigate new realities and challenges of the workplace in alignment with CDC and State guidelines as Pennsylvania prepares to reopen.
      ACCESS NOW
    • Maintaining A Compliant Workplace & Workforce Under COVID-19 Restrictions
      This webinar will cover steps employers are taking to comply with the Governor's orders and the implications to the workplace and workforce. It will specifically address: 1) what do employers need to do to maintain a safe working environment; 2) what are the OSHA, whistleblower, and workers' compensation considerations; and 3) what are the employees rights from a non-union and union perspective (e.g. protected concerted activity)
      ACCESS NOW

 

• Local Government:
  • 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

 

• 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

 

• WellSpan Health System:
  • WellSpan COVID-19 data dashboard.
    • https://www.wellspan.org/coronavirus/coronavirus-(covid-19)-data/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=alertbanner-datadashboard&utm_campaign=Coronavirus

 

• Meals: Hunger Free Lancaster
• • 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

 

Recovery Lancaster:

• UPDATE: RecoveryLancaster.com Info
  • RecoveryLancaster.com, a website stemming from the Economic Recovery Plan for Lancaster County by the Lancaster Chamber, the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County, and the County of Lancaster, is your hub for information to get your business back on track.
  • Quick notes to keep you updated on this resource:
    • Grant Opportunity Available Starting June 15 - Are You Prepared?
      Are you a business with 20 employees or fewer? If so, you can apply for a grant starting next week. The grant is not first-come, first-serve. Grants are awarded based on a variety of criteria. Get the details and see what you have to do to prepare with our FAQ sheet and our What You Need To Know guide.
      LEARN MORE
    • Get Your FREE PPE KIT NOW!
      Are You A Business With 100 Employees or Fewer? You can now sign up for a free kit that includes a mix of personal protective equipment, as well as some cleaning and disinfecting materials. The sign up is simple, easy, and you will get the kit delivered within days of your order!
      GET YOUR KIT
    • Best Practices Are Now Available
      From restaurants to retail, to accommodations to construction, we are offering a variety of video and powerpoint resources to help walk through what your business needs right now to succeed.
      EXPLORE THE HUB

 

CareerLink:

• Upcoming Employer Information Sessions:
  • Our upcoming information sessions, now offered as webinars, will go in depth about services available to employers through PA CareerLink® Lancaster County and our partners. Whether you're new to PA CareerLink® services or simply need a refresher, don't miss out on learning ways to connect with your future workforce!

These webinars are FREE to attend. Register TODAY!

• • • Assessments to Assist With Getting Qualified Candidates

Date: June 23, 2020

Time: 10:00 AM (Approx. 40 minutes)

Tired of getting candidates that don’t have the skills that they claim to have? Learn about the various assessments offered through PA CareerLink® Lancaster County to help screen candidates in advance and know that they will have the skills necessary to perform the basic functions for the job.

Register: Click Here

• • • Overview of Incumbent Worker Training (IWT)

Date: June 30, 2020

Time: 10:00 AM (Approx. 40 minutes)

Has the impact of COVID-19 on your business left you questioning a mass layoff? Are you trying to figure out a way to retain a skilled workforce while remaining competitive in your industry? If you answered yes to either of these questions, join us for a webinar on Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) presented by Valerie Hatfield with the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board (LCWDB). The LCWDB now has funding available for employers to upskill and train their current workforce. Learn how participation in this program can avert the need to lay off employees by assisting the workers in obtaining the skills necessary to retain employment.

Register: Click Here