Coronavirus category, Page 199
Where’s my check? Answers to common relief payment questionsVideo
The U.S. government has distributed about 130 million economic impact payments to taxpayers in less than 30 days. The IRS anticipates sending more than 150 million payments as part of a massive coronavirus rescue package. The distribution has had some hiccups, including an overwhelmed website, payments to deceased taxpayers and...
Pennsylvania coronavirus deaths top 3,000 as state catches up with data
Coronavirus deaths in Pennsylvania surpassed 3,000 on Tuesday as the Department of Health works to catch up with information coming from individual counties through a number of platforms, state officials said. The jump in deaths is “a result of our continued work to reconcile data from various sources,” health officials...
Jim Bakker seeks suit dismissal; ex-governor is his lawyerVideo
O’FALLON, Mo. — Missouri-based TV pastor Jim Bakker is asking a judge to dismiss a state lawsuit accusing him of falsely claiming that a health supplement could cure the coronavirus, and the lawyer representing Bakker is former Gov. Jay Nixon. Republican Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt sued Bakker and Morningside...
School districts plan summer learning, fearing learning loss from time outside classroom
After spending nearly a month out of class for a pandemic, Pittsburgh Public Schools is hoping the summer might provide an opportunity to make up for lost time – but planning the programs has become a challenge. The district is looking for ways to modify and extend the annual Summer...
U.S. senators seek probe of veterans homes after virus deathsVideo
A group of U.S. senators is seeking an investigation into the Department of Veterans Affairs’ oversight of homes for aging veterans amid a spate of coronavirus deaths at the state-run centers. In a letter sent Tuesday, the senators asked the head of the Government Accountability Office to look into the...
Tom Sharbaugh: There is an increase in business startups — really?
One of the surprising trends in the recent shutdown of the U.S. economy is an uptick in the number of people in Pennsylvania who are starting companies. Why would anyone have the confidence to start a business now? The answer is that many people have more confidence in themselves than...
7 more deaths, 10 new cases of coronavirus reported in Allegheny County
The Allegheny County Health Department reported 10 additional cases of the coronavirus Tuesday, and seven new deaths. The county has had 109 deaths and 1,375 cases in total. The virus is having a devastating toll on long-term care facilities in Allegheny County. The Department of Health reported that 302 residents...
Dormont Pool won’t open for 2020 amid coronavirus concerns
The 100th season of the historic Dormont Pool will go down in its history as the season that never was. Borough Council voted unanimously Monday to keep the pool closed for the 2020 season because of the complications surrounding covid-19 prevention. The virus “presents unique challenges to municipalities around the...
Here come covid-19 tracing apps – and privacy trade-offs
As governments around the world consider how to monitor new coronavirus outbreaks while reopening their societies, many are starting to bet on smartphone apps to help stanch the pandemic. But their decisions on which technologies to use — and how far those allow authorities to peer into private lives —...
Pittsburgh council extends coronavirus disaster declaration another week
Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a seven-day extension of Mayor Bill Peduto’s coronavirus disaster declaration. The declaration is now set to expire May 12. Its provisions include limits on public gatherings and permission for the city to bypass competitive bidding regulations. Peduto declared a state of emergency on...
Covid-19 vaccine hunt heats up globally, still no guaranteeVideo
WASHINGTON — Hundreds of people are rolling up their sleeves in countries across the world to be injected with experimental vaccines that might stop covid-19, spurring hope — maybe unrealistic — that an end to the pandemic may arrive sooner than anticipated. About 100 groups are pursuing vaccines with nearly...
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker sees hopeful covid-19 trends; shutdown sparks protestVideo
BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday that Massachusetts is seeing hopeful data about the state’s effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus. “In the course of the past few days we have seen some positive downward trends,” Baker said. But the Republican warned the extension of the state’s...
In fight over Brazil leader’s coronavirus test, crisis loomsVideo
RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says he twice tested negative for the coronavirus but many, including a federal judge, are demanding he share the actual results. Still, the leader has refused. The surreal standoff is the latest flashpoint in a broader battle between a president who has...
Trump’s anti-China rhetoric aimed at boosting U.S. leverageVideo
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is making ever louder pronouncements casting blame on China for the covid-19 pandemic, aiming to sidestep domestic criticism of the president’s own response, tarnish China’s global reputation and give the U.S. leverage on trade and other aspects of U.S.-China competition. President Donald Trump has vowed...
Baseball artists, writers shut out by coronavirus pandemicVideo
NEW YORK — Anika Orrock was all warmed up for her big pitch. On the mound at Yankee Stadium, tossing out the ceremonial first ball. On Tuesday night, though, the baseball illustrator and cartoonist will be far from the Bronx. Instead of starting off the Pittsburgh Pirates-New York Yankees game,...
Ohio GOP lawmaker Nino Vitale refuses to wear a mask because faces are the ‘likeness of God’Video
At least the excuse Nino Vitale used for not wearing a mask was a little more interesting than what Vice President Mike Pence recently offered. Vitale, an Ohio state representative, said Monday he will not wear a mask during the coronavirus pandemic because faces are the “likeness of God.” “This...
Mail-in ballot requests approach 1 million ahead of Pennsylvania’s June 2 primary
Nearly one million Pennsylvanians have opted to vote by mail in the June 2 primary, and state officials are hoping to provide the funding and framework to grow that record-setting number significantly higher before the deadline. “Did I mention that we’re encouraging everyone to vote by mail?” Secretary of State...
U.S. to rein in flood of virus blood tests after lax oversight
WASHINGTON — U.S. regulators Monday pulled back a decision that allowed scores of coronavirus blood tests to hit the market without first providing proof they worked. The Food and Drug Administration said it took the action because some sellers have made false claims about the tests and their accuracy. Companies...
Coronavirus patients could be cash cows for nursing homes
LOS ANGELES — The nursing home industry has been devastated by the coronavirus, with outbreaks killing thousands of elderly residents and likely setting the stage for both increased regulations and huge legal liabilities. But the health crisis presents operators with a potential financial upside. Patients with covid-19 could be worth...
Smithfield Foods, Tyson plants cautiously reopen plants amid coronavirus fears
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — A South Dakota pork processing plant took its first steps toward reopening Monday after being shuttered for over two weeks because of a coronavirus outbreak that infected more than 800 employees. As two departments opened at the Sioux Falls plant operated by Smithfield Foods, employees filed...
White House disclaims projection showing surge in virus outbreak by June
WASHINGTON — An internal projection created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the U.S. coronavirus outbreak vastly accelerating by June to more than 200,000 new cases and 2,500 deaths per day — far more than the country is currently experiencing. The White House disclaimed the projection, calling...
Beaver County lawmaker introduces bill requiring nursing home inspectionsVideo
A Beaver County legislator introduced legislation Monday that calls for the immediate inspection of all nursing homes in the state because of the covid-19 pandemic. State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Ambridge, also wrote a letter to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro that asks him to investigate the situation at Brighton Rehabilitation...
Carnival Cruise Lines plans to sail again starting in AugustVideo
Carnival Cruise Lines said Monday that it plans to gradually resume cruising in North America in August, nearly five months after it halted operations because of the new coronavirus. Sailings will begin Aug. 1 with eight ships setting off from Galveston, Texas; Miami; and Port Canaveral, Fla. A majority of...
Westmoreland coroner reports another coronavirus death
The Westmoreland County coroner on Monday reported one additional covid-19 death, bringing the countywide death total to 31. State officials continue to report fewer deaths than Coroner Ken Bacha, who updated the death count early Monday morning. As of noon Monday, state officials were reporting 26 deaths in Westmoreland County....
Pennsylvania reports 825 new coronavirus cases, eclipses 50,000
Pennsylvania health officials will decide this week whether to share coronavirus-related data from nursing and personal care homes with the public, which is where the majority of covid-19 deaths are occurring. About 67% of covid-19 deaths reported by the state have occurred in residents from such facilities. So far, the...
