Coronavirus category, Page 207
Westmoreland Community Action survey to gauge coronavirus-related needs
Westmoreland Community Action is seeking input about community needs during the coronavirus pandemic. The results of an online survey will help the organization create services that could help. Nearly 1.6 million Pennsylvania workers have filed unemployment claims since mid-March, when Gov. Tom Wolf ordered closures of some businesses and schools...
Slumping tech favorites pull major US stock indexes lower
Wall Street jostled to a mixed finish Tuesday, as former stalwarts ran out of momentum and some of the market’s most beaten-down stocks turned into winners. The S&P 500 slipped 0.5% after stocks that have held up the best through this year’s sell-off fell to some of the market’s sharpest...
European doctors warn rare kids’ syndrome may have coronavirus tieVideo
LONDON — Doctors in Britain, Italy, and Spain have been warned to look out for a rare inflammatory condition in children that is possibly linked to the new coronavirus. Earlier this week, Britain’s Paediatric Intensive Care Society issued an alert to doctors noting that in the past three weeks, there...
In Italy, Naples’ beloved pizza is back after virus shutdown easesVideo
NAPLES, Italy — Wood is burning again in Naples’ pizza ovens, giving a symbolic and savory boost to Neapolitans after two months of lockdown meant an end to their most iconic and favorite food. Pizzerias reopened Monday night in the birthplace of pizza, albeit under restrictions and for home delivery...
Trump says coronavirus testing ‘not a problem,’ but doubts persistVideo
WASHINGTON — The White House released new guidelines Monday aimed at answering criticism that America’s coronavirus testing has been too slow, and President Donald Trump tried to pivot toward a focus on “reopening” the nation. Still, there were doubts from public health experts that the White House’s new testing targets...
Wolf urges health care professionals to report race data related to coronavirus
Gov. Tom Wolf is calling on medical professionals to report race and ethnicity data of those who test positive for covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. About 69% of race data is unreported, Wolf said during a press conference Monday afternoon, “and there is little data when it...
AG William Barr to prosecutors: Look for unconstitutional coronavirus rules
WASHINGTON — Attorney General William Barr on Monday ordered federal prosecutors across the U.S. to identify coronavirus-related restrictions from state and local governments “that could be violating the constitutional rights and civil liberties of individual citizens.” The memo to U.S. attorneys directs the head of the Justice Department’s civil rights...
West Virginia governor shifts testing standard, unveils reopening
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice introduced an aggressive plan Monday to reopen the state’s economy while loosening coronavirus testing benchmarks without explanation. The Republican is moving to lift restrictions if the state’s positive test rate stays below 3% for three days, a reversal of a previous goal to...
Coronavirus is expected to reduce meat selection and raise pricesVideo
DES MOINES, Iowa — Meat isn’t going to disappear from supermarkets because of outbreaks of the coronavirus among workers at U.S. slaughterhouses. But as the meat plants struggle to remain open, consumers could face less selection and slightly higher prices. Industry leaders acknowledge that the U.S. food chain has rarely...
Covid-19 crisis will keep ‘furries’ away from Pittsburgh this summer
The furry folk won’t be coming to Pittsburgh this summer. Citing the covid-19 pandemic, organizers on Monday announced cancellation of the 2020 Anthrocon, an annual gathering of adults who dress like animals. It had been scheduled for July 2-5 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. “Without an end in...
Tom Purcell: Little Sisters of the Poor meet pandemic with grace, humility
In the outside world, the covid-19 pandemic is highlighting our divisions. Inside the Little Sisters of the Poor retirement residence in Pittsburgh, it’s revealing the power of grace and humility. The mission of Little Sisters of the Poor (LSP), a Roman Catholic order founded in France in 1839 by St....
Editorial: Pittsburgh construction signs of life
You have to start somewhere. Getting back to some kind of normal after weeks of coronavirus pandemic lockdown is going to take a first step, and Pittsburgh is getting ready to stretch its legs. On Monday, the mayor’s office announced construction projects within the city will be able to get...
9th employee at Port Authority’s West Mifflin garage tests positive for coronavirus
Port Authority of Allegheny County on Monday reported that another employee has tested positive for covid-19. Eleven employees have tested positive for the coronavirus, including nine at the West Mifflin bus garage. The latest employee to test positive works in maintenance at the garage, Port Authority spokesman Adam Brandolph said....
Administrator of North Carolina protest group claims she tested positive for covid-19
A leader of the ReOpen NC group revealed in a Facebook post she tested positive for covid-19, despite not attending any of the faction’s rallies, WFAE reported. Audrey Whitlock, who administers the group’s Facebook page, told the radio station her quarantine ended Sunday. “I remained in isolation/self quarantine at my...
Food distribution set for Pittsburgh-area veterans in need
A Pittsburgh-based veterans organization is prepared to distribute 300 boxes of food Tuesday to veterans in need during the coronavirus pandemic. The Veterans Leadership Program is partnering with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Giant Eagle and Sysco to provide the food. The distribution will start at noon and will...
Pa. Commonwealth Court to hold 1st video stream hearing Tuesday
In an effort to carry on with court proceedings during the covid-19 crisis, Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court announced Monday it will hold its first video stream hearing. The hearing will take place 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday with Judge Kevin Brobson presiding over the case of MFW Wine Co., A6 Wine Company...
Judge rules former Leechburg police chief Diebold must remain in jail during pandemic
Michael Diebold, the former Leechburg police chief, will remain in jail as he awaits a hearing to determine if he violated parole terms for a sex offense, a Westmoreland County judge ruled. Diebold contended ongoing serious health problems put him at risk should he contract coronavirus and sought an early...
Western Pennsylvanians venture out as curbside liquor pickup expandsVideo
Cars, SUVs and pickups pulled up to a Fine Wines & Good Spirits store in Penn Hills on Monday as residents scrambled to purchase liquor with the opening of most state stores across Pennsylvania for curbside delivery. Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board spokesman Shawn Kelly said the agency last week opened...
Scenic Beam Rocks area in Forbes State Forest defaced by spray paint vandals
Officials are seeking information on vandals who spray painted graffiti at a popular natural overlook, Beam Rocks, along the border of Somerset and Westmoreland counties in Forbes State Forest. A hiking trail off Laurel Summit Road leads to the sandstone outcroppings — some 90 feet tall — that provide adventurers...
Westmoreland prison population cut by almost 30%
The Westmoreland County Prison inmate population has been reduced by nearly 30% over the past month as jail officials continue to tighten restrictions designed to prevent a potential coronavirus outbreak. Warden John Walton on Monday told members of the prison board there are 176 fewer inmates than incarcerated a month...
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine: Many businesses to reopen in May, with limitsVideo
COLUMBUS — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Monday announced a gradual two-week roll-out to reopen the state, at the end of which manufacturing, distribution and construction companies, offices, and retail businesses can open their doors as long as they follow strict health and social distancing practices. Nonessential surgeries and other...
Billboard advertising shifts during pandemic
Putting up a billboard is a lot like drilling for oil, according to Ben Wallace, chief operating officer of Penneco. He’d know. Penneco is a Delmont-based oil and gas company with a subsidiary — Penneco Outdoor Advertising, which owns about 30 billboards across southwestern Pennsylvania. Both sides of the business...
Health officials ready new guidelines as restrictions easeVideo
WASHINGTON — Businesses should close break rooms. Restaurants should consider disposable menus and plates. Schools should have students eat lunch in their classrooms. These are some of the recommendations offered in new federal plans designed to help restaurants, schools, churches and businesses safely reopen as states look to gradually lift...
False belief poison cures for coronavirus kills over 700 in Iran
TEHRAN — The false belief that toxic methanol cures the coronavirus has seen over 700 people killed in Iran, an official said Monday. That represents a higher death toll than so far released by the Iranian Health Ministry. An adviser to the ministry, Hossein Hassanian, said that the difference in...
Pennsylvania golf courses, marinas, private campgrounds can reopen this week
Golf courses, marinas and some campgrounds will be permitted to open Friday as Pennsylvania officials move toward a gradual reopening of a state economy halted by the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to private campgrounds, guided fishing trips will be allowed to resume Friday. All of those businesses must follow life-sustaining...
