State lifts masking mandate
Vector color chalk drawn illustration of medical mask on black chalkboard background.
Although Pennsylvania did not make the 70% full vaccination rate (just under 75% have had at least one shot), the commonwealth lifted most mask mandates, effective Monday — although there many locations where Chester Countians will still be asked to wear a mask to battle COVID.
“We are continuing to make progress...
County gets $34.5M in rent/utility assistance funds
WEST CHESTER — Individuals and families in Chester County who are facing challenges in paying rent and utility bills brought on by the pandemic, can receive help through the Chester County Emergency Rent & Utility Assistance Program.
Earlier this year, Chester County received $34.5 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury and the PA Department of Human Services, to help cover emergency rental...
Don;t Retire, ReFire: What have we learned?
By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times
Now that we’re, for the most part, back into the swing of things and the hustle and bustle of the world has returned, do you, on some level, long for the quiet of a year ago, minus the threat of a fatal virus?
Are you finding it difficult to jump back in and adjust to the hectic pace that has returned or are you sighing a sigh of relief that the quiet...
Better days are coming, hang in there
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
It’s not hard to see that the majority of frustration of folks around Chester County right now is difficulty in scheduling to get a COVID-19 vaccine — if you read social media, it’s everywhere and it is understandable. We’re hitting a wall, annoyed and tired of the pandemic and everything required to keep people safe.
It’s been a long year since...
Not content with taking your vote away, apparently Republicans also want you to die
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
This was going to be a column about the non-trivial issue of politicians seeking to disenfranchise millions of voters literally because they didn’t like how the election went, but COVID-19, being COVID-19, the virus pushed itself back to front and center in the headlines again Thursday.
With cases spiraling — especially in the central part of the...
BHF: Little Yellow House to close for good, victim of pandemic
The Little Yellow House
The Brandywine Health Foundation and the Brandywine Consignment Shop will officially close their consignment store at the end of this month. The Little Yellow House, at 368 W Uwchlan Ave, Downingtown, PA 19335 has been temporarily closed since March 13, 2020, and will close its doors permanently on October 31, .
“When we first closed the shop in March due to statewide stay...
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...
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...
As Chester County moves toward Yellow, let’s all be smart about COVID-19
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
So, on June 5, Chester County moves to Yellow status.
Obviously, it is good news. It means some of our businesses will reopen and some of our people will go back to work. In some ways, life will go back to something approaching normal.
It appears the county will go to Green status by the end of next month — meaning even more things will open, including...
We’re winning the war on COVD — but we haven’t won yet