Kick away the homebound blues: local ATA school offers free online class

Two young students work with their peers online, as part of live video training with ATA West Chester Martial Arts. EAST BRADFORD – By now, after weeks of staying at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people are looking for new ways both to pass the time, but also help with physical and mental wellness — and a local martial arts school has a special free option for community members. A local Tae...

Don’t Retire, ReFire: What a difference a month makes

By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times My last article was about “going into the desert”, figuratively speaking, to realign myself and focus on guarding and protecting from the distractions that were and still are affecting who I truly am, the “Real Me”. That meant disconnecting myself from what was making my heart heavy. It meant to still my mind and to reconnect with myself and my God...

COVID-19 Update, April 8: Cases, deaths continue to rise in Pennsylvania

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times A map of Chester County showing the percent of residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 as of April 8. Courtesy Chester County Health Department. Pennsylvania continues to add positive COVID-19 test results and had another difficult day in terms of fatalities, according to the state Department of Health (DOH). DOH said there were 1,680 new positive tests, bringing...

COVID-19 Update, April 7: Pa. deaths spike; Wolf denounces racism

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Deaths related to COVID-19 spiked sharply Monday, as the state Department of Health reported 78 new fatalities caused by the virus in the state, as additional positive tests grew by 1,579. So, far, according to DOH, 240 Pennsylvanians have died in the pandemic and more than 12,000 Americans have died, according to Centers for Disease Control. DOH reports 14,449 total...

Dinniman announces MaskUp Chester County Challenge

In response to the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the CDC’s advising of all residents to wear masks when in public, State Senator Andy Dinniman announced a community challenge: MaskUp Chester County. “When one person wears a mask, they’re making the conscientious decision to protect others around them,” Dinniman said. If everyone wears a mask, everyone has an added layer...

Chesco to start antibody testing for COVID-19 for key personnel

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Chester County will be the first county in Pennsylvania to start testing essential personnel for COVID-19 with a blood antibody test, county health officials announced Monday afternoon, during a video community conference. County Commissioner Chair Marian Moskowitz announced the testing initiative at the end of the teleconference — noting that testing will be done...

COVID-19 Update, April 6: Cases, deaths continue to rise

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times A map of the cases — by percentage of population — as of April 6 in Chester County. Courtesy, Chester County Health Department. The rate of COVID-19 infections continue to grow in the state and in Chester County, based on new numbers released Monday. The State Department of Health (DOH) reported 1,470 new positive tests and 12 fatalities in 65 of the state’s...

DCCC loans ventilator, gives medical supplies to local hospitals

In response to the urgent need for medical supplies and ventilators at area hospitals and health care facilities due to COVID-19, Delaware County Community College recently loaned a ventilator, and donated surgical gloves, disposable gowns, hand sanitizer, biohazard bags and other equipment and supplies to local hospitals and health care facilities in Delaware and Chester Counties. Faculty and staff...

Is it time to start your Victory over virus Garden?

By Tony Buck, Special to The Times Food security must now be on the minds of Chester County residents during this Coronavirus outbreak.  And it’s about time! According to the Delaware Valley Region Planning Commission Food Study, we grow about 6% of our food in the Greater Philadelphia area. Most of our food comes from California in our spring and summer, and during fall and winter, from south of...

COVID-19 Update, April 4: State passes 10K cases, 34 news deaths reported; Chesco number continue to grow

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times The rates of both infections and fatalities continues to grow statewide, as Pennsylvania saw 1,597 new cases and 34 additional deaths yesterday from the COVID-19 virus. There are now more than 10,000 cases — 10,017 — in 64 of the state’s 67 counties. In Chester County, the rates of infection rose — according to the state Department of Health (numbers from the...