Sunlight, Heat & Humidity May Kill Covid-19

There was some very reassuring news at yesterday's daily White House press conference concerning Covid-19. Bill Bryan, the science and technology advisor for Homeland Security, reported on studies being conducted by the Science and Technology Department showing that sunlight, can seriously weaken Covid-19 in about two minutes. At lesser intensities, it takes a little longer. In addition to the ultra violet rays from sunlight, heat and humidity also play a role in weakening and killing Covid-19. "The virus dies the quickest in direct sunlight," said Bryan.

Bryan did caution that these are "emerging" results, but they certainly are encouraging.

Indoors, Bryan reports the virus is destabilized by increasing the temperature and humidity. Because sunlight impedes virus transmission, he recommends outdoor activities. But he cautions, ""It would be irresponsible for us to say that we feel the summer is just going to totally kill the virus … that is not the case."

He added that isopropyl alcohol kills the virus in 30 seconds.

These findings are corroborated by a Japanese study showing that respiratory viruses diminish with increased heat and humidity. Of course, the virus could return when temperatures and humidity drop and sunlight fades. That study was conducted before the Covid-19 pandemic. Covid-19 is a respiratory virus.

Given this data, local municipal officials should consider re-opening parks.

Listen to the science.

Allentown To Extend Tax Deadline a Second Time

Allentown Mayor Ray O’Connell has already extended the city's tax deadlines once. Now, thanks to a new state law, he'll be asking City Council to extend them again.

Previously, he real estate tax discount period from April 5 to May 5 and extended the filing due date for 2019 Business Privilege Tax until July 15, 2020. O'Connell plans to enlarge the tax discount period until August 31. Also, the payment can be made at any time until the end of the years without incurring any late fees.

“All of government is trying to do what it thinks is best during these most unusual times,” said O’Connell. “The stay-at-home order has severely impacted the ability to pay for many of our residents. We hope this extension will allow more time to get everybody back on their feet."

City Council has scheduled a special meeting for Monday, April 27 at 6:00 p.m. to vote to ratify the new real estate tax deadline and discount period extensions as well as the BPT filing extension.

Literacy Center To Offer Free "Work From Home" Certification

The Literacy Center (TLC), based in Allentown, is launching a new online and free certification program focused on working from home in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The “Work From Home (WFH) Certification” was developed to assist people working from home for the first time. The 20-hour training program will feature technology tools and software, communication, workflow, productivity and time management, working in virtual teams, compliance and security, critical thinking, and guest speakers with professional WFH experience. Graduates of the program will earn the TLC Work From Home (WFH) Certification.

Morning and evening classes will be offered with the first cohort starting May 4th. Attendance at one of the following online information sessions is required for participation in the program:

Tuesday, April 28th, 9:30am

Thursday, April 30th, 5:30pm

To register for an information session or learn more about the program, contact Erin Anderson at 610.435.0680 or eanderson@theliteracycenter-lv.org.

HAP: Gracedale Staff Doing "GREAT" Job in Fighting Covid-19 Pandemic

HAP is the Hospital and Healthcare Association of Pennsylvania. It recently visited Gracedale to offer the nursing home suggestions on the nursing home's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Here's what Gracedale was told:

Thank you for allowing myself and LT Peacock PANG visit your facility today.

As a trained emergency nurse, with a specialty in disaster preparedness and response, I would like to share the following observations.

In my opinion, Gracedale Nursing Home has demonstrated several best practices during the COVID19 Pandemic. You are the largest LTC under a single roof in the Commonwealth but your number of COVID19 patients are well below the average of most LTC in the State. I attribute this accomplishment to many factors, especially the dedication of your entire staff and strict adherence to current CDC guidelines. All staff must follow these protocols or the disease rate increases significantly. Our support staff are essential to the health of the facility. If not for the strong work of the EVS, facilities, food services, security staff, the system does fail. Your ability to develop negative pressure areas is considered a best practice and it appears that your PPE allocation and conservation practices are second to none. As much as we wish there was more to offer the staff and patients of Gracedale, we know that we cannot offer all the needed support. We will do the best that we can!. In the interim, please pass onto the staff that they are doing a GREAT JOB at keeping the infection rate low and in doing so they ALL are saving lives.

Wishing you all the best in these trying times,

Michael Whalen, BSN, , NHDC-BC, CHEP
The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of PA

How President Morgan Freeman Would Handle Covid-19

Unemployed and Self-Employed Abandoned by Governor Tom Wolf

Philadelphia's Unemployment Project, a nonprofit for the unemployed, is asking Governor Tom Wolf to do something about the complete lack of communication between those who have been idled and state unemployment. I know people who lost their jobs and still have no unemployment. For gig workers and the self-employed, a state system rolled out on Saturday crashed repeatedly, and is still weeks away from being able to accept weekly claims. This is inexcusable.

Robert Lucas, a laid off supervisor at a linen company, said “I filed for unemployment on March 16. I haven't received anything at all from unemployment. My bills are overdue, my loans are overdue, I just need some type of help, please. You can’t get through online, or with phone calls. I called a hundred times yesterday and nothing. Please can you help me? Please my time is running out. I have no money at all please help me.”

“We need answers,” said Shannon Darcy, a laid off bartender. “It's unacceptable to have so many people in a state of limbo, and uncertainty during such an uncertain time. People need the phones to be answered. It's been over four weeks. People should have answers by now.”

“We know the state has been overwhelmed with new claims and new guidelines from the recent federal stimulus bill, but people need to know if they can expect help or not. Providing no information is creating great stress for laid off workers. They don’t know if they will get help or not and food and rent is becoming a crisis for many, said Ted Kelly, PUP organizer. “Adding phone lines and recalling laid off staff to answer their phones can let people know where they stand while the state tries to handle the crush.”

Regardless how you feel about the lockdown, Governor Wolf's response to the plight of those he has hurt is completely unacceptable.

If you wish, you can add your name to a letter demanding that he wake uo and start serving the people he represents.

DEP To Spray Against Black Flies Today

One of the few things we're still allowed to do is fish. I was looking forward to opening day until Governor Tom Wolf decided to open it early, with no advance notice except to a special few who are in the loop. Well, if you decided to fish today, better stay away from the Delaware. DEP's black helicopters will be crawling up and down the Delaware River, not to check creel limits, but to spray pesticides aimed at one of the most evil creatures known to mankind - the Simulium, aka black fly, aka biting gnat.

You can call me prejudiced all you want, but I hate black flies. The women in particular. They're the ones who bite. So far as I know, they don't kill you. They just make you wish you were dead. 

What the DEP will do is sparay a chemical called Vectobac 12AS. It looks like chocolate milk, but don't drink it. It smells like fish sauce and is loaded with bacteria that kills the gnat before it turns into a bad ass.

All very natural.

I do miss the summer days on the Jersey shore, when the mosquito trucks came out and sprayed white clouds of DEET. We used to run through them as our elders watched and laughed, knowing the government would never try to kill us.

At least not on purpose. 

Now you know what happened to me.

Bethlehem To Provde Transitional Housing For Homeless

In my summary of last night's Bethlehem City Council meeting, I failed to outline what steps the City is taking to help the homeless. They are definitely at-risk during the Covid-19 pandemic. The City has just issued a news release to outline these measures,

From Bethlehem: Mayor Bob Donchez today announced that the City of Bethlehem has been actively working with community partners to ensure that the needs of vulnerable populations, such as the homeless, are addressed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The City recently received additional funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Health to support prevention, preparation and response activities related to COVID-19.

As part of the overall plan, the City’s collaboration with New Bethany Ministries and Comfort Suites Bethlehem will provide hotel rooms for Bethlehem homeless individuals and families in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19 in the community. During this time, New Bethany Ministries will operate an additional transitional housing program to ensure that these families and individuals have a space to socially distance and self-quarantine as well as have access to consistent showers, hand washing and bathroom facilities.

A key goal of this initiative is to not only provide immediate housing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Bethlehem, but provide a more stable housing solution for these families and individuals after the pandemic as well.

“It is during trying times like these that we will be judged by how we care for the most vulnerable among us,” said Mayor Donchez. “Helping individuals and families with transitional housing is a priority to ensuring this virus doesn’t spread throughout our most vulnerable populations.”

“The Comfort Suites Bethlehem has always been a strong supporter of the community and we are glad to be able to offer our assistance during this crisis,” stated Dave Urban, General Manager.

If you are a resident of Bethlehem and in need of this service, please contact New Bethany Ministries at (610) 691-5602 ext. 205 for evaluation and referral.

Bethlehem's Health Bureau on Covid-19

Last week, Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez' updated city residents on City operations in the wake of Covid-19. In addition to his own presentation, he had Department Heads Kristen Wenrich (Health) Bob Novatnack (Emergency Management) Alicia Karner (Community and Economic Development), Mike Alkhal ( of Public Works) and Eric Evans (Finance) on hand for their own presentations. Last night, Wenrich (Health) and Novatnack (Emergency Management) updated City Council as well. All were informative, but I was particularly impressed by Wenrich.

Wenrich reports that, as of Monday, Bethlehem has had 376 Covid-19 cases, 39 of which required hospitalization (about 20% of those infected). Three people have died. She indicated that if a person in a household tests positive, and another member of the family becomes symptomatic, it will be presumed that person has Covid-19 as well.

She indicated 45.7% of those infected are non-Hispanic, and the average age is 46.9 years. Although the numbers have declined, she warned that testing has gone down as well.

According to Weinrich, the Covid-19 numbers in Allentown "are going through the roof." In fact, she said Lehigh County currently has the highest incident rate in the state. She remarked this is bad news for the Lehigh Valley because both Lehigh and Northampton will be lumped together in deciding what areas should be re-opened. 

Willie Reynolds said the pandemic has made clear that many city residents live paycheck to paycheck, and credited Mayor Bob Donchez for some of the steps he's taken, like the delay in payment of taxes as well as the grant program for small businesses. He sponsored a resolution that would challenge the City with creative solutions to help everyone with items like universal broadband throughout the City. His resolution passed unanimously.

Gracedale Wants Its Workers Back

Gracedale is the largest nursing home, not just in the County, but the entire state. It has 600 residents who are cared for by 700 employees. But some of the people who work there are afraid because of Covid-19. On Thursday night, Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure told County Council that there had been 400 call-offs in April. Actually, the number is higher. Between April 1 and April 21, the total call-offs are a staggering 580. That amounts to an average of over nine people missing from each shift. The result is mandated overtime, which puts a strain on the workers who are already there. Those who call off are using up sick days or family leave.

Jennifer Stewart-King, Gracedale's Administrator, has sent a memo to these workers, appealing to them to return to work.

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of the heroes who have continued to come to work at Gracedale during this challenging time. You truly are heroes to our residents!

I am writing to all of you to implore everyone who has not been working to return to work. I know Covid-19 is scary to many of you, but it is important to remember that most people who test positive for this virus experience mild symptoms. Many of your coworkers have continued to not only come to work their normal shifts at Gracedale, but have also stepped up and taken on additional shifts to cover for all of the absences. Your coworkers who are coming to work understand it is our moral obligation to care for the residents at Gracedale, especially during this difficult time. We need you to put your residents first. Gracedale has ample personal protective equipment (PPE) for every staff member to keep you as safe as possible in a healthcare setting. For some staff who have been fearful to go to the units where there are residents with Covid, I have personally taken them to the units in PPE to alleviate their concerns. Dawn Tuersfeldman has done the same and we will both continue to do so whenever it will help someone be comfortable enough to return to work.

There is also some good news to report. So far, we have had 22 employees who tested positive for Covid-19, some of whom have already returned to work. We have 35 residents who tested positive for Covid, and 6 of them are recovering.

Again, it is your moral obligation to come to work to care for the residents at Gracedale who rely entirely on you being here to care for them. They too are scared and lonely, and need everyone to return to work to help them through all of this.
Sincerely,

Jennifer Stewart King

Check Cashig Fee for Stimulus Check Just 1.5%

Allentown City has released a statement to remind everyone that, if you receive a paper federal stimulus check, the law limits the maximum fee to cash that check to 1.5 percent.

“It is important consumers understand check cashing fees, so they keep as much of their money as possible,” said Pa.'s Acting Banking Secretary Richard Vague. “We will be ensuring that check casher licensees are complying with statutory provisions related to fees on government checks during ongoing examinations.”

Economic impact payments are specifically defined as a “Government Check” in the law that regulates check cashers in Pennsylvania. For any consumer that uses a licensed check casher or a registered retail check casher (e.g. grocery store) to cash this check, a maximum fee of 1.5 percent of the value of the check may be assessed. For example, on a $1,200 check, the maximum allowed fee is $18. A consumer would receive cash in the amount of $1,182.

To be sure that the establishment is properly licensed or registered consumers can call 1-800-PA-BANKS.

If an establishment cashes your Government Check and charges more than 1.5 percent, please contact Banking immediately by calling 1-800-PA-BANKS or visiting the website at dobs.pa.gov. It is important that you retain records of the transaction including a receipt.

“Consumers should remain vigilant about various coronavirus scams,” said Vague. “No government official will call you to confirm bank account information or your Social Security number. Never give out personal information if you did not initiate the phone call.”

For more detailed information related to financial scams and tips for protecting yourself, Banking has developed a financial scams guide.

Gadfly Has Excellent Series on 1918 Flu in the Lehigh Valley

Prior to this novel coronavirus, the most serious pandemic to sweep the globe occurred was the 1918 Spanish flu. Gadfly has been running an excellent series of stories about how it affected us locally, based on the dusty archives of The Morning Call. I recommend it highly for its historical perspective. The series, which  includes an excellent video presentation, from historian Jim Higgins, notes the many similarities in government reactions. There are also important differences.

South Bethlehem at that time was so crowded that boarding homes were running three shifts of sleepers on the same mattresses. The feds were basically hands off in those days. But local and state officials got involved. They banned large gatherings, closed schools and houses of worship and banned large gatherings. Saloons and "coffeehouses" were shuttered. There was some resistance by Allentown's Mayor, who insisted “that Bethlehem was filthy and dirty, and that a wagon load of refuse could be secured from three blocks of the highways and that the streets were covered with thick layers of dust, the worst breeder of disease.”

Bethlehem, thanks primarily to Mayor Archibald Johnston and Bethlehem Steel Health Director Loyal Shoudy, organized a response seen nowhere else. In those days, there were far fewer hospitals. They established one in South Bethlehem. Police were sent to visit homes, and the sick were taken there. This local consortium convinced the state to ban gatherings and close places where demon drink was dispensed.

Significantly, no businesses were closed. Bethlehem Steel remained very busy.

Gadfly's essay today recounts the tale of brothers Brindamour and Brick O'Donnell, who were caught inside Sam Roth's shuttered Allentown saloon. Poor Brick was found in a "state of stupefaction" behind a tapped barrel of whiskey, but Brindamour made his way out a window. An Allentown police officer emptied his revolver at Brindamour, who escaped unharmed. Police searched "every rat hole and railroad yard" in the first, sixth and fourteenth wards, but were unable to find that damned elusive Brindamour.

No word on whether he ever got the flu.

Why Not Order June 2 Primary Be Mail-in Only?

Every registered voter in Allegheny County will be receiving a mail-in ballot application for the June 2 primary, along with a postage-paid return envelope. In fact, Allegheny has joined Philadelphia, Montgomery and Chester County in urging Governor Tom Wolf to use his emergency powers to direct that election be conducted exclusively by mail. You'd think this would be a no-brainer for Wolf, who has shut down the entire state's economy to avoid the spread of Covid-19. But while he';s been quick to order you to shelter-in-place and don face masks when you sally forth for toilet paper, he's been strangely quiet about making the now noneventful primary a mail-in exercise only.

Wisconsin recently conducted its election, and 70% of the turnout was by absentee ballot. It's pretty clear voters have no desire to crowd into the polls.

Executive Lamont McClure told NorCo Council on April 16 that an all mail election would have to be decided that week in order to conduct it.  I frankly see no reason why it has suddenly become impossible to actually take a measure that might promote public health without throwing 1.3 million people out of work, but that's me.

Covid-19 Has Infected 73 at Gracedale

A news release from Northampton County indicates that 73 people have now been infected with Covid-19 at Gracedale, the county nursing home. This includes 50 residents and 23 employees.

Of the residents, six are recovering in an isolation ward. Unfortunately, four have succumbed.

Five of the 23 employees have recovered and are back to work.

Gracedale is the largest nursing home under one roof in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. There are more than 600 residents living at Gracedale with approximately 700 people tasked with caring for them. Executive Lamont McClure has commended the staff. “They’re working tirelessly to keep some of our most vulnerable residents safe during this outbreak,” he said.

Nursing homes have been hit particularly hard by Covid-19. The chart above, prepared by NorCo's GIS department, shows that 214 residents and 48 employees have been infected at the county's 12 nursing and personal care homes. Nineteen have died. 

Covid-19 Has Now Infected 11 at NorCo Jail

Northampton County reports that Covid-19 has now infected 11 people (six inmates and five staffers) at the jail. The afflicted inmates have been quarantined on the same tier and have been housed there since they first showed symptoms. One of the staffers is recovered and has returned to duty The county is following quidelines established by PrimeCare Medical, which has a contract with the county for medical services at the jail. This includes temperature monitoring.

Executive Lamont McClure has commended corrections officers and supervisors for "doing a terrific job during this outbreak. We appreciate their dedication to keeping the inmates, their fellow officers and the public safe.”

Volunteers, visitors and tours have been banned at the prison since March 10th. Inmates may still contact their loved ones via phone, tablets or mail.

The District Attorney’s office, the Courts and the Public Defender have been working on bail reductions and to furlough non-violent inmates from the prison. As of April 20th, at least forty-eight furloughs for non-violent inmates have been granted. There are currently 517 inmates in residence at NCP.

Today's Harrisburg Rally is About Jobs, Not Politics

At noon today, a grassroots group will converge on the state capital to demand that Governor Wolf re-open the state economy. Those protesting will certainly include Trump supporters, gun rights activists and fringe groups. They will get a lot of attention and no doubt will make bombastic statements. Wolf supporters will seize upon them to paint everyone there with a broad brush. In fact, before the rally has even started, the state Democratic Party has already claimed, on Facebook, that today's demonstration is "organized by far-right special interests putting politics and profits ahead of people." This is simply untrue. This rally will be attended by many small business owners, gig workers and independent contractors. They get the idea of social distancing. They have no desire to make anyone ill. They are concerned about their livelihoods, not profits. They have been ignored.  This is their story.

Though Governor Tom Wolf was among the first to close down businesses, he is behind 29 other states that are already giving the self-employed and laid off workers relief under the federal CARES Act.  It was only on Saturday that he finally set up a portal on the state unemployment website . When it was finally opened this weekend, it either failed completely or merely acted as a place holder. Many self-employed have yet to see a dime, whether it is the $1,200 stimulus check, pandemic unemployment, those mythical $600 checks that are supposed to be tacked onto everyone's benefits or no-interest loans. Small business owners, the very backbone of this country, are withering in the Spring. Let's start, ironically, with lawn and garden shops.

Lawn and Garden Shops

Small lawn and garden shops like Gumpf Gardens in Beaver Falls have been closed for six weeks, while Home Depot and Lowe's are making a killing. Gumpf has operated for 60 years and 70% of its annual sales are at this time of year. It was denied a waiver without explanation.

Contractor

I started my contracting company in February of 2015, with a $2000 tax refund my wife and I got that year. I worked almost the whole first season alone, completing whole roofs and siding jobs by myself, because I couldn't afford to hire anyone. I toughed through 14 hour days, 7 days a week to make it work. In January of 2016, my wife and I adopted a new born, born to a drug addicted welfare recipient that has given birth to 7 children, but has given them all up. Within hours of being born Jacob was incubated and his organs were shutting down, with his liver staying shut down when the other organs began functioning. He spent almost 2 months in UPMC Children's Hospital(great place) before recovering and we thought many times he wouldn't recover. During that time, I would work all day and then drive 45 minutes to the hospital to relieve my wife because she was pretty much living at the hospital. After he was healthy, and came home, we bought a new house and finally seem to have the American dream. Then in June of 2016, I had a bad fall on a roof, dislocated my left shoulder and completely tore all 4 tendons in my rotator cuff. The helper I had quit showing up to work and then stole off of me. To keep the business going, I worked with one arm in a sling until a friend starting up his own company was able to help me keep my schedule moving. Since then I have dealt with the expected hurdles of owning a business but managed to make it to my 5 year mark, and now have an excellent crew doing $5000 up to $15000 projects. I have done all of this while coping with the symptoms of bipolar disorder, and have never once asked for anything from the government. Now in the month of April 2020, I find myself wondering if I will still have a business next month and when I do need help from the government that is trying to put me out of business, they aren't there. I am sharing this because I know every small business owner has a story of their trials a tribulations. I would like to see others share their stories to make this more of a reality to those that don't support us.

Trucker

Saved up enough money to buy my own 2013 9900I 550cc 18 speed manual transmission with 259,000 miles on it this year. Finally got it ready and the government went into closure. I do not have the funds as a single dad to keep going. I kept 50/50 custody of my kids since the divorce in 2011 and I kept the house paying her for her portion. I have no 401K I have no savings. I am paying insurance for a truck that has no plates. $735 per month or I lose my Motor Carrier #. The truck is earning me zero dollars. This could take everything I have saved over my life and leave me with nothing.

Printer

I own a sign and graphics shop, from what I’ve been told but can’t find anything on Wolfe guidelines that I’m aloud to be open. So I’ve been shut down just to be safe but I myself go in and print the very few jobs we have. Phones are dead I don’t have the big print jobs we should for this time of year cause well everyone else is closed also. Race series we do awards for are shut down little to hardly any bike kits being ordered. This is my wife’s and my only income and with buying new printers at 20 grand a pop the bills still come in and we have nothing to pay them with. Tried to file for unemployment but we all know that’s a joke applied for PPP to bring back my employee who hasn’t got her pin yet after 4 weeks now also. This entire thing is a damn joke the way Wolfe has handled all of this. Most of us could be open and following the guidelines and still be safe to do business. This all just makes my blood boil, we have worked so hard since 08 to watch it all go away over this.

Stone Mason

Own a small one man show masonry restoration business. Being that I am self employed and work alone. I filed for 3 waivers to work and was denied all three times. Yet I see crews of landscapers, painters, roofers and so on working through this in my neighborhood. Most have approval to work. How the hell does this make any sense at all?????? Someone please explain the reason my small (ONE man show) business can’t work and crews with many guys can???🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️ Most of the brick repairs I do are chimneys and on the exterior of the homes. When someone’s chimney is leaking into the home or falling over that is an emergency repair to me. I’ve explained all this when I filed for the waiver!!!! Bad chimneys can cause damages to a structure or home yet I was denied and told it’s not life sustaining. Ok then but painting inside someone’s house is??? Getting a new driveway installed is?? I see crews out working all day side by side yet I can’t work by myself???! Give me a break!!!! This whole thing is nothing but a f$&@,ing mess.... I am going to work soon with or without it. I have a family to support!!!!😡

On a side note: I stand by the recommendations of the hard working men and women on the front lines fighting this awful virus:) They are the true heroes in all of this and we owe them so much.❤️❤️ In no way am I belittling the severity of what’s going on here. I wish you all the best during these troubling times. Be safe everyone.

Auto Dealer

Even though we are not open I came into clean my office this weekend like I normally do. I'm looking around and remembering sanding drywall until I couldn't feel my hands, I remember every screw every nail and every brush stroke of paint I put into this place. I have worked 6 and 7 days a week longer then I can remember, I have put my family through so much trying to get this business to go , and they have sacrificed so much for me to chase after what is supposed to be a dream. I have sacrificed so much to chase this dream. I have never had any help from government they have always kicked me when they had a chance. Between fighting with local borough for zoning, building permits,occupancy permits and buisines licenses. I've had the attorney general send me a violation for wording in a vehicle advertisement ( advertised the car as being loaded) . Then your always on thin ice waiting on that next surprise inspection. After that you get to pay in a bunch of taxes . Then us small buisness owners do the right thing and close our business to protect our families, friends and neighbors. We VOLUNTARILY closed we were never sent a letter to close, not even an email. I have received zero dollars of unemployment, zero dollars government funding. But I have had to pay 100 percent of my companys overhead and my personal bills. Don't let them kill our dreams and take what we earned! look around the government didnt help you get where you are. Help Is NOT COMING! open signs need to be turned on. statistics say that 60 percent of small businesses will not make it 5 months in Pennsylvania. Not me I'm not going out without a fight! Im praying for all of you to get through this!

Get the picture? This is not about politics. It is about an overbearing state government denying people the right to earn a living and refusing to help them. It needs to start helping instead of suffocating the very people who make this country what it is.

NorCo Covid-19 Data as of April 17

(1) New Cases On a Downward Trend

PSU: Covid-19 in NorCo as of April 17

As you can see from the ordinal graph above (prepared by PSU), 43 new cases of Covid-19 were reported today. This is in line with a downward trend that first began on April 10, exactly one week ago. For the past seven days, with the exception of April 15, there have been under 50 new cases. On April 15, there were 75. The highest number of Covid-19 cases so far was on April 4, when 122 new cases were reported.

Whether this is an indication that we've peaked and are on our way down is unclear. The numbers are going down, but it appears that the statewide daily testing has also dropped. Whether testing has diminished in Northampton County is unknown.

(2) 34 People Have Died. 

Northampton County is reporting all people who are infected with Covid-19 and die within the county's borders, regardless where they actually live.  Thus far, 34 people have passed away. They lived in the following municipalities: Forks Twp. (1); Lower Nazareth Twp. (2): Bangor Boro (1); Palmer Twp. (9); Upper Nazareth Twp. (4); Williams Twp. (2); Nazareth Boro (1); Bethlehem Twp (7); City of Bethlehem (1); Washington Twp (1); Phillipsburg, NJ (1); Bronx, NY (1); and Millersburg, PA.

Average age of the Deceased: 79.6 years.

Gender of the Deceased: 56% Female/44% Male

Race of the Deceased: 74% White, 11% African American, 9% Hispanic, 6% Asian/Pacific Islander

(3) NorCo's Nursing Homes Have Been Hit Hard

Covid-19 has been devastating to the elderly who reside at nursing homes. It has infected 177 residents and 45 employees at the county's 10 nursing homes, resulting in 11 deaths.

(4) Area Hospitals Have Plenty of Rooms 

There appears to be no shortage of available rooms or ventilators.


Sources: PSU, Pa. Dep't Health, NorCo Charts

Shutdown Protests Scheduled on Monday in Harrisburg

A combination of several grassroots groups comprised of small business owners and unemployed Pennsylvanians will protest Governor Tom Wolf's business shutdown on Monday in both Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.

At the state capital, a protest is planned to start at noon at the Capital Complex. Organizers have issued this statement:

“Government mandating sick people to stay home is called quarantine. However, the government mandating healthy citizens to stay home, forcing businesses and churches to close is called tyranny. Business owners are being forced to layoff employees while the unemployment system is failing those laid off as the economy free falls.

"This is a recipe for disaster with many in our society helpless. We cannot stand by and watch our neighbors suffer while the government considers prolonging these painful conditions. The economy should be reopened on May 1 for healthy citizens continuing enhanced sanitation habits to prevent any virus from spreading. Those with compromised immune systems should not have to re-enter the economy or workforce if they do not feel comfortable.”

"We will have endured nearly seven weeks of lockdown when May 1 arrives. It is not sustainable to continue this lockdown as the economic and societal consequences will be irreversible. Opioid deaths increase 3.6% for every 1% unemployment rises, as child abuse and domestic violence have spiked along with mental health ailments. It is time to roll back these restrictions on May 1.

"Protests are beginning to emerge across the country as concerned citizens strive to return the economy to normal. These protests have been peaceful as will this event. We invite the media to cover our protest at the State Capitol Building."

NorCo Ass'n of Twp Officials Offer College Scholarship

Northampton County's Association of Township Officials is offering a scholarship for graduating seniors. If you reside within a Northampton County township with a son or daughter graduating from high school this year, you can apply for a scholarship by emailing Hanover Township at hanover@hanovertwp-nc.org or call 610.866.1140 and leave a message. The Township will mail the application to you.

NorCo Exec Praises DOH For Help at Gracedale

I've been critical of Dr. Rachel Levine, Secretary of Pennsylvania's Department of Health, for her continued insistence on a shutdown of the state's economy. But in addition to Governor Tom Wolf, she does have one fan - NorCo Exec Lamont McClure. His reason has nothing to do with that the state shutdown, and everything to do with Dr. Levine's help at Gracedale. "I don't know where we would be today without the responsiveness of the Department of Health," he said. McClure said this while making a pitch for a 30-day extension of his emergency powers. Council would later honor McClure's request by an 8-1 vote , with Council member John Cusick being the sole dissenter.

The meeting was the first ever Skype meeting conducted by County Council. Council President Ron Heckman and VP Lori Vargo-Heffner were physically present, with the remaining seven Council members (John Cusick, Peg Ferraro, Bill McGee, Kevin Lott, Kerry Myers, Tom Giovanni and Tara Zrinski) participating by laptop. Although there was lots of noise in the background from time to time, the remote format seemed to be a success. There was no public participation.

When speaking of Gracedale, McClure told Council that 26 residents have tested positive for Covid-19, along with 22 staff members. Unfortunately, four of these residents are deceased, but two of the staffers have already returned to work. He added that the specter of a novel coronavirus resulted in 400 call-offs in April. "We understand that many of those who called off are scared," he observed."But those who show up are scared, too."

Covid-19 has hit the jail, too. McClure reported that five inmates and five staffers have been infected. The afflicted staffers include two medical personnel and three corrections officers. One of the corrections officers has returned to work. The jail's population has been reduced from a census of 661 on March 23 to 531 on April 15. McClure credited President Judge Michael J Koury, Jr, District Attorney Terry Houck and Chief Public Defender Nuria DiLuzio for their role in identifying nonviolent offenders who could be released.

McClure also praised Emergency Management for their role in securing personal protective equipment for distribution to first responders on March 23, March 24, March 31, April 6 and April 9. He also named and thanked several private individuals and businesses who donated masks and hand sanitizer (I will run a complete list of these generous people and businesses once I confirm).

Cusick, the only Council member to vote against the extension of McClure's emergency powers, did so because McClure recently decided to close all county parks. Though not discussed at the meeting, a recent Chinese study (still awaiting peer review) concludes Covid-19 is almost entirely an indoor phenomenon. On the other hand, Louise Moore Park is located very close to Palmer and Bethlehem Townships, the two hardest hit municipalities within Northampton County.

In addition to extending McClure's emergency powers for another 30 days, Council also adopted an "emergency" ordinance giving itself the option of just meeting once a month for the next three months. Council President Ron Heckman explained that it was still his intention to have Council meet twice every month, but the ordinance gives Council the option of reducing the number of meetings if necessary. Cusick was again the sole No vote. Having participated in multiple electronic meetings as a teacher, he said, "I see no reason for this ordinance."