At a time when thousands of Americans are sick and dying from the COVID-19 virus, many are contemplating their mortality. As a result more people are making end-of-life plans and drawing up wills if they didn’t have one before. Discussing end of life decisions is never an easy topic to bring up, but during the community health crisis the issue has taken … Continue reading "The coronavirus on Smart Talk Monday: End of life decisions and survey finds Americans on ‘common ground’"

Spring is in the air in Central Pennsylvania and parks and trails are a welcome respite for families feeling cooped up in their homes. And if people didn’t need another temptation to leave the house, Trout season opened a week early to the surprise and delight of area anglers. With Governor Wolf’s stay-at-home order, are … Continue reading "The coronavirus on Smart Talk Friday: DCNR defines policy, Lancaster Cares fund, athletes pay it forward and communities taking action"

Almost 17,000 Pennsylvanians have tested positive for the coronavirus and more than 300 people have died from the illness it causes, COVID-19. All of the positive cases and deaths have occurred since the first week in March – a little over a month. The spread of the virus and fallout from it have resulted in … Continue reading "The coronavirus on Smart Talk Thursday: COVID-19 questions answered"

During the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, we have heard often from researchers and medical professionals that a vaccine to prevent the potentially deadly illness is 12 to 18 months away from being available to the public. That timetable may or may not be an accurate estimate, but scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine … Continue reading "Coronavirus on Smart Talk Wednesday: Pitt develops potential vaccine and ventilators in Pa."

Governor Wolf’s mandatory stay–at–home order went into effect on Wednesday for all 67 Pennsylvania counties. The order states that individuals may leave their residence only to perform certain individual activities and essential travel. But many Pennsylvanians still have questions about certain details. Is it allowable to take a drive just to get out of the … Continue reading "The coronavirus on Smart Talk Tuesday: State Police duties look different during pandemic and are Pennsylvanians responding to the Census?"

For many of us, staying at home and not being able to visit with friends and family or go where we want during the coronavirus emergency is something new that we’re not used to. How many times in the last three weeks have you heard or read on social media someone expressing a desire to … Continue reading "Coronavirus on Smart Talk Monday: Let’s hear your stories"

In the last two weeks, 10 million jobs across the country have all but disappeared. And with most states ordering lock-downs and business closures through the end of April there is little expectation that the employment outlook will improve. The Wolf administration ordered all non-essential businesses in Pennsylvania to close nearly three weeks ago. The … Continue reading "The Coronavirus on Smart Talk Friday; Pa jobless numbers second highest in nation and the rise of telemedicine"

It has been more than a month since the first COVID-19 related death in the U.S. Since that day at the end of February, nearly three thousand people have died and nearly six thousand Pennsylvanians are reportedly infected with the virus. People still have many questions about the virus, how to avoid exposure and what … Continue reading "The Coronavirus on Smart Talk Thursday; COVID-19 virus questions answered and the economic impact on college communities"

Almost half of the counties in Pennsylvania are now under stay-at-home orders as the state moves to respond to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. See stay-at-home guidance here. Rachel McDevitt, WITF Host of Fresh Air and All Things Considered, will join Smart Talk to breakdown what that means for residents. Also, in a major … Continue reading "The coronavirus on Smart Talk Wednesday; Stay-at-home order, license renewal extensions, drug and alcohol treatment during COVID-19 and the history of nicotine use"

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture received approval from the Federal government last week to operate emergency food assistance through area food banks and pantries. The Disaster Household Distribution program allows the Department of Agriculture to provide critical food supplies to Pennsylvanians in need. The program is available under the federal government’s declaration of a national … Continue reading "The coronavirus on Smart Talk Tuesday; Emergency food distribution, COBRA insurance and pets and COVID-19"