Each day a summary of news and information that has been gathered from community partners and credible news sites will be posted.
Governor:
- “Reopening Phase Orders Updated to Include 12 Additional Counties Moving to Green on June 26” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/reopening-phase-orders-updated-to-include-12-additional-counties-moving-to-green-on-june-26/
- “Gov. Wolf: Pennsylvania Businesses Endorse Mask-Wearing to Protect Employees, Customers, Communities” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-pennsylvania-businesses-endorse-mask-wearing-to-protect-employees-customers-communities/
- “Gov. Wolf Leads Bipartisan Effort in Calling on President, Congressional Leaders to Invest in Broadband Internet Access” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-leads-bipartisan-effort-in-calling-on-president-congressional-leaders-to-invest-in-broadband-internet-access/
- “Gov. Wolf Releases Statement on Suspension of New Work Visas” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-releases-statement-on-suspension-of-new-work-visas/
- “Gov. Wolf Thanks Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Staff During Visit” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-thanks-penn-state-health-milton-s-hershey-medical-center-staff-during-visit/
State Government:
General COVID resources: https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-COVID-19/
Dept. of Corrections:
- “Department of Corrections Continues Closure of SCI Retreat” : https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/corrections_details.aspx?newsid=465
Dept. of Human Services:
- “Human Services Secretary: Medicaid Providers Cannot Charge Patients for PPE” : https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/DHS_details.aspx?newsid=557
Dept. of Labor & Industry:
- “L&I Holding Virtual Town Hall on Thursday so Pennsylvanians Can Ask Questions of Unemployment Compensation Experts” : https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Labor-and-Industry-Details.aspx?newsid=466
Dept. of Health:
- “Department of Health Announces Partnership with CVS Health to Assist with COVID-19 Response in Nursing Homes” : https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Health-Details.aspx?newsid=877
- “Medical Marijuana Exceeds Five Million Dispensing Events, Three Clinical Registrants Operational as Part of Research Program” : https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Health-Details.aspx?newsid=879
- “Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 579 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 83,770” : https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Health-Details.aspx?newsid=878
- 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: 4,212 cases.
- Confirmed: 4,118
- Probable: 94
- Negative: 26,781
- Cases per 100,000: 774.90
National News:
Washington Post:
The latest
- State health departments reported 38,115 new infections on Wednesday, the highest single-day caseload in the United States since the pandemic began. As for the total, true number of infections, CDC Director Robert Redfield said Thursday: “Our best estimate right now is that for every case that’s reported, there actually are 10 other infections.”
- The new spike was caused by a rush to reopen without proper safety measures in place, infectious-disease experts say, and the push to do so, even as cases climb, sends a dangerous and inaccurate message.
- The outbreak is growing increasingly worse in Texas, and Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced the state would delay moving into its next reopening phase as health officials there struggle to contain infections and hospitalizations. The intensive care unit at Texas Medical Center is at 100 percent capacity because of the influx of COVID-19 cases. Abbot issued an executive order to suspend elective surgeries at hospitals in Bexar, Dallas, Harris and Travis counties to ensure room for coronavirus patients.
- As cases and hospitalizations surge in some states, deaths have not been rising with the trend. It's something that health experts have taken some solace in, but it may only be a matter of time. The death toll is likely to rise over the next several weeks, experts say. Read more about the fatality rate and the projections in today's Q&A, below.
- Despite pulling federal support for 13 testing sites — seven of which are in hard-hit Texas — the Trump administration is saying that they are not ‘pulling the rug’ out from testing sites. But local officials in hot spots are worried about the strain it will put on resources as they battle growing outbreaks. Meanwhile, Vice President Pence met with Republican senators Wednesday to urge them to focus on “encouraging signs” as infections soar in Florida, Arizona, Texas and other states, some of which are key to the outcome of the presidential election and critical GOP down-ballot races.
- Fearful of a simultaneous assault of coronavirus and influenza this fall and winter, vaccine manufacturers are making millions of extra doses of the flu vaccine to protect those most vulnerable to the pandemic and influenza. The CDC has taken the rare step of buying 7 million flu vaccine doses directly from manufacturers to be distributed to states for adults. “This is a big move,” said Redfield, the CDC director.
- There are many reasons the U.S. response to the pandemic has faltered, experts say, but three recent studies have focused on conservative media's role in fostering confusion and complacency. The studies paint a picture of a media ecosystem that amplifies misinformation, entertains conspiracy theories and discourages audiences from taking concrete steps to protect themselves and others.
- President Trump's use of racist language at his rally in Tulsa — calling the coronavirus “kung flu” — has drawn considerable backlash. But it also turned into a rallying cry among his supporters. He hadn’t even used the term at a campaign event in Phoenix on Tuesday before audience members started shouting it, prompting Trump, with a grin, to repeat it.
Other important news
- Dozens of Secret Service officers and agents who were on site for the Tulsa rally were ordered to self-quarantine after two of their colleagues tested positive.
- President Trump is headlining a fireworks display at Mount Rushmore. Experts worry two things could spread: virus and wildfire.
- The Treasury Department sent more than 1 million stimulus payments to dead people, totaling nearly $1.4 billion.
- Fact Checker: Trump keeps saying Obama left him ‘no ventilators.’ The true number is 16,660.
- Tesla gave workers permission to stay home rather than risk getting COVID-19. Then it sent termination notices.
- Correction: In Wednesday's newsletter, we lumped New York, New Jersey and Connecticut into a mandatory quarantine order for travelers arriving there from states that have high community spread. While New York will be enforcing the measure with fines, New Jersey and Connecticut do not have plans right now to enforce the “travel advisory” instructing people to quarantine.
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?
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.
Leadership Lancaster
- Tomorrow is the deadline for Core Class 2021 applications! Please feel free to reach out with any questions! (As a recent grad myself, I can honestly say it was one of my favorite experiences I have ever had! And I don’t even get sponsor money to say that!
