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:

• “Gov. Wolf: PA is One of Three States Recognized by CDC for COVID-19 Reduction Success” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-pa-is-one-of-three-states-recognized-by-cdc-for-COVID-19-reduction-success/
• “Gov. Wolf: Four Universities Receive Funding for COVID-19 Response Through Manufacturing Innovation Challenge” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-four-universities-receive-funding-for-covid-19-response-through-manufacturing-innovation-challenge/

 

State Government:

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

 

Dept. of Agriculture:

• “Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System, USDA Farm to Food Bank Funds Support Local Dairies, Workforce, Food Banks” : https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/Agriculture_details.aspx?newsid=935

 

Dept. of Health:

• “Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 335 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 79,818” : https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Health-Details.aspx?newsid=865
  • 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: 3,830 cases.
  • Confirmed: 3,747
  • Probable: 83
  • Negative: 22,498
  • Cases per 100,000: 704.60

 

National News:

Washington Post:

The latest

• A hair stylist in Missouri was diagnosed with COVID-19 in late May, and she ended up directly exposing 84 customers who had sat just inches from her face for up to 30 minutes each. She had symptoms, but wore a face mask; salons were one of the few places where people were required to wear them. Because of that, health officials say, none of her customers was infected. The result appears to be one of the clearest real-world examples of the ability of masks to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
• But reopening isn't going well in many places.
• Data indicate that the country has yet to quash the first wave of the virus — let alone a second one. Florida, Texas, Arizona and Oklahoma are among approximately a dozen states seeing a surge in cases and hospitalizations. From Phoenix to Myrtle Beach, Houston to Orlando, restaurants are closing again; this time, it’s not because owners fear that someone in their midst might catch the coronavirus — it’s because they know that they already have. And in China, officials are moving rapidly to seal off Beijing — population 22 million — by canceling flights and trains amid growing fears that a second wave of COVID-19 is gathering strength and could spread to the rest of the country.
• Meanwhile, health experts are still trying to learn more about the virus, which has infected at least 8.2 million and killed more than 443,000 worldwide. For some, COVID-19 can be lethal but for others, it can come and go without leaving a mark. The “why” is the ultimate mystery, and it's “the most critical question about covid,” said Edward Behrens, chief of the rheumatology division at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Why do some people get sick? Why do some people have no problem at all?”
• President Trump is now pushing for an even faster vaccine timeline, to prove to voters that the virus can be controlled and the economy can be rebuilt under his leadership. But scientists and even some in Trump's own administration worry that it could put regulators under intense pressure to approve a vaccine before it has been vetted for safety and effectiveness.
• Drawing on data from the Great Recession and the 1918 flu pandemic, economists at the Brookings Institution estimate that the U.S. could see “on the order of 300,000 to 500,000 fewer births next year” as a result of the coronavirus. The analysis shows that the pandemic, even when it's over, will leave deep scars on society for years to come.

 

Other important news

• Exclusive: Before the pandemic, a top contractor received billions from the government to help prepare the nation for biowarfare.
• Documents obtained by The Post reveal how the NBA plans to hold games inside a “Disney World bubble” starting next month.
• A Tulsa judge on Tuesday denied an effort by city residents and business owners to block Trump from holding an indoor campaign rally this weekend.
• Wildfires are rampaging across parts of the Desert Southwest and California alongside a spike in coronavirus cases. Now evacuation decisions are even more fraught.

 

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

 

School District of Lancaster Summer Meals:

• Click below to view School District of Lancaster’s new schedule for summer meals which is different from the regular school year distribution.

SDoL Summer Feeding Program (2)

 

REMEMBER:

• The 2020 Census is underway and the deadline to respond has been extended to September 3, 2020!