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: Masks Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-masks-help-stop-the-spread-of-COVID-19/
- “Gov Wolf Thanks Pennsylvania’s Food Banks for Helping Those in Need” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-thanks-pennsylvanias-food-banks-for-helping-those-in-need/
- “Governor Wolf Reaffirms Commitment to Combat Climate Change, Provides Update on RGGI Process” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-reaffirms-commitment-to-combat-climate-change-provides-update-on-rggi-process/
State Government:
General COVID resources: https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-COVID-19/
Dept. of Aging:
- “OPINION-EDITORIAL: Enhancing the Aging Experience of Pennsylvania's LGBTQ Community” : https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/aging_details.aspx?newsid=265
Dept. of Education:
- “Educator Diversity Highlights Aspiring to Educate Virtual Summit” : https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Education-Details.aspx?newsid=892
Insurance Dept:
- “Insurance Department Issues Notice to Insurers Highlighting Inappropriate Billing Practices” : https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Insurance-Details.aspx?newsid=430
Dept. of Health:
- “Department of Health: WalkWorks Program Adds Partners, 100 Walking Routes” : https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Health-Details.aspx?newsid=875
- “Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 510 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 82,696” : https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Health-Details.aspx?newsid=874
- 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: 4,106 cases.
- Confirmed: 4,013
- Probable: 93
- Negative: 25,585
- Cases per 100,000: 755.40
National News:
Washington Post:
The latest
- The European Union may ban Americans from traveling there when it reopens its borders, the New York Times reported, as coronavirus cases surge in the United States. European countries are working to agree on two lists of acceptable travelers as they finalize plans to reopen on July 1, and the U.S. isn't on the drafts, the Times reported. The number of daily new cases remains at a far higher level in the U.S. than in Europe, where stringent lockdowns have helped slow the spread and reactions to resurgent outbreaks are swift.
- Four top U.S. health officials, including infectious disease expert Anthony S. Fauci, testified at a high-profile hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Committee Tuesday, and all four told the committee they had never been instructed to slow down testing for the coronavirus, contradicting what President Trump said hours earlier. Fauci also told lawmakers he was “cautiously optimistic” that an effective vaccine will be available by the beginning of next year. Read more on the health experts' testimony about vaccines, treatments, another wave and testing here. (At send time, the hearing is still going.)
- As cases continue to spike across dozens of states, along with hospitalizations, the president's continued claim that additional testing is to blame (it is not) is increasingly at odds with Republican allies in the hardest-hit states, where governors are beginning to change their tunes.
- Income is a major predictor of coronavirus infections, a federal analysis found, along with race. The analysis supports the commonly understood pattern that the black community is harder hit by COVID-19, but its findings on poverty add another layer of vulnerability. The infection rate among those with low incomes is “drastically higher” than everyone else in the analysis, said Seema Verma, administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
- Trump has told aides he supports another round of stimulus checks, saying that he believes it will help the economy and boost his reelection odds. But leading congressional Republicans and some senior White House officials remain skeptical of more payments. The differing opinions in conservative circles could make the next stimulus package, scheduled to be taken up in July, difficult to pass.
- Many of us are aching to go on vacation, but still concerned about the health risks. “Contactless” travel is a buzzy term right now among those itching for a trip, but is it even possible? By The Way reporter Natalie B. Compton planned and executed a “contactless” adventure to find out. You can read about how her trip turned out here. (And there's more advice on driving vs. flying this summer in the Q&A below.)
Other important news
- The FDA is warning people not to use any hand sanitizer from a certain manufacturer after finding a potentially fatal toxic substance in nine of its products.
- Over 700 cash-strapped cities are halting plans to repair roads, water systems or make other key investments.
- A Q&A on the new restrictions on foreign workers imposed by the Trump administration on Monday, citing the pandemic.
- Activists halt street protests in South Carolina after some demonstrators test positive for covid-19.
- Saudi Arabia announced that it will drastically limit the number of people involved in the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
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
- Workplace Considerations & Compliance
- “Let’s Go Strong Into Going Green” : https://www.lancasterchamber.com/Apps/Pages/page-slug-92504?formEntryId=22781
- 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.
- WellSpan Health System:
- 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
- Grant Opportunity Available Starting June 15 - Are You Prepared?
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NEW
Teachers Needed for Virtual Summer Program
- Online Learning - July 9, 2020 - August 7, 2020
- This summer learning enrichment program is designed to offer virtual academic skill-building in math and literacy to approximately 600 Lancaster County students PreK through Grade 8 using a high-quality curriculum and engaging instructional materials developed by BellXcel. This program, offered through the Lancaster Partnership for Learning Equity, is committed to providing learners with the digital access and support needed to prevent academic slide over the summer and to prepare them to participate fully in virtual learning opportunities in the future.
PAVOAD:
- Forum participation requested by DHS Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives
The US DHS Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives is seeking input from Houses of Worship and Faith-Based Organizations. They would like to know how they can better support these organizations. Therefore, they are asking the following questions about your COVID-19 response:- What went well?
What can be improved?
What do we need to do more of?
Conversely, what do we need to do less of or differently?
- What went well?
Please visit this website, the week of 06/22/2020. This is a forum where you can have a freeform discussion about the COVID-19 response to date and how it has affected you as Houses of Worship and Faith-Based Organizations.
- CISA Essential Toolkits
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released the first in a series of six Cyber Essentials Toolkits. This is a starting point for agencies to understand and address cybersecurity risk as they do other risks. Toolkit 1, titled “Essential Element: Yourself, The Leader,” focuses on the role of leadership in forging a culture of cyber readiness in your organization with an emphasis on strategy and investment. To learn more about Cyber Essentials, visit this website.
- CDC guidelines for youth and summer camps
The CDC has offered suggestions for ways in which camp administrators can help protect campers, staff, and communities, and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Follow this link.
- Contact tracing update
With the efforts of 500 trained contact tracers throughout the state, including 130 state health nurses, more than 4,000 close contacts of COVID-19 cases have been identified. These efforts include the support from the six county health departments and four municipal health departments who have primary responsibility for all efforts inside their jurisdiction. Read full article here.
- Free cloth masks
Cloth masks are available for private sector to request, free of charge, directly through the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Order at this site. If you have any questions or concerns about your order please email facecoverhhsaspr@hhs.gov
- Rent/mortgage assistance through PHFA
People who lost income due to the pandemic-related economic slowdown may be eligible for rent or mortgage assistance to help them stay in their homes. They will be able to access applications for rent and mortgage relief starting June 29. Applications will be easily accessible from a red banner on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s website at www.PHFA.org. PHFA is currently identifying organizations in all 67 counties to help it process the large number of rent relief applications anticipated. People will submit their applications and supporting paperwork to these county organizations for review. The agency’s call center is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help with questions about the programs. The toll-free number is 1-855-U-Are-Home (827-3466). Callers should listen for the prompt mentioning CARES assistance for renters and homeowners. The county organizations to which CARES applications are submitted will also have webpages offering useful information.
