Wolf moves to shut bars, limit restaurant capacity, as COVID-19 numbers spike again
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
Bar service is going to be limited again in Pennsylvania as COVID-19 cases are growing again in the state.
With COVID-19 numbers starting the creep up again in Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf is hitting the brakes — especially when it comes to bars and restaurants — because people within the state aren’t always wearing masks, too many people are ignoring...
PSAC, West Chester U: no fall sports due to COVID-19, hopes for spring return
The Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) voted on Tuesday to suspend all mandated conference athletic events and championships through the fall semester in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Conference has already undertaken a full review of its ability to shift fall sports competition and championships to the spring semester and fully intends to do so if a return...
Best way to fight COVID-19? Don’t be stupid
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times
When contemplating my column for this month, I looked over the columns of years past and thought about how different things are now. As I write this I am sitting in my office with the sound of the newly installed localized negative pressure units humming away as my hygienist is working with a patient. It sounds more like I am in a vacuum cleaner...
When it comes to opening schools, Trump has to either put up or shut up
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Open the schools! Or else. Says President Donald Trump.
Okay, there’s almost no one (besides a few kids, maybe) who do not want to see our public schools reopen this fall. My college-age kids are counting the minutes they can return to their campus.
As great as our teachers have done over video, there’s no question that kids learn better in the classroom and benefit...
Wolf extends band on foreclosures and evictions through Aug. 31
Gov. Tom Wolf
Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday signed a new executive order that protects homeowners and renters from eviction or foreclosure until Aug. 31, if they have not received assistance from a new program administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) or are not already receiving relief through one of several federal foreclosure moratorium programs or judicial orders. Lenders and property...
Chester County’s farmers rise to meet COVID-19 challenge
Alejandro Romero, an employee at Pietro Industries in Kennett Square, wearing a specially created t-shirt that reminds Pietro staff, and the community, that agriculture employees are heroes, performing essential jobs that keep us fed even during difficult times.
The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged our nation in so many profound ways, and agriculture, an essential business in every way, has been no...
Don’t Retire, ReFire: Compassion in an unsettled world
By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times
My messages in the last few months have taken me in directions that have stirred up many emotions, changing, often times, moment by moment.
I can assure you that my message here is not a diatribe that will only bring sadness and discontent to you, my Readers. Instead, my hope is that I can, in some way, give you a different interpretation of what you’re...
Wolf was right; early reopening is killing people & the economy elsewhere
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
A few weeks back, I wrote a column suggesting that the people of Chester County be careful, listen to health experts, wear a mask, wash their hands frequently and continue social distancing as we worked through the process to reopen our county and state, carefully, and slowly.
And while it is clear most of the residents in the county agreed — we continue...
Wolf broadens rules for wearing masks
By Mike McGann, Editor The Times @mikemcgannpa
Gov. Tom Wolf has a simple message for Pennsylvanians: if you’re not home, wear a mask. Always.
Wolf expanded his order on masks Wednesday to include pretty much every activity outside of the home with an eye on slowing the spread of COVID-19, which experienced its highest rate of new cases in the US ever on Wednesday — and alarming growth in Allegheny...
Mad about the pandemic? Don’t blame Gov. Wolf