The Spark

At any given time, there are more than 100-thousand people waiting for an organ transplant. Every 10 minutes another person is added to the waiting list.  Wait times for transplants can vary, with the average time frame between three to five years – if you are fortunate. A little more than 50 percent of people … Continue reading "The coronavirus on Smart Talk Thursday: Organ donations falling, a community fund for non-profits in need, and The Coronavirus Diaries on WITF-TV"

When the coronavirus pandemic gained a foothold in the U.S., hospitals that were concerned about having enough capacity to treat seriously ill COVID-19 patients began canceling elective procedures. At the same time, some people who were worried about acquiring the virus avoided clinic and hospital visits over a fear of contagion. The result of both … Continue reading "The coronavirus on Smart Talk Wednesday: Delaying medical treatment during pandemic and State’s nursing home plan has some holes say facilities"

As the coronavirus pandemic progressed in the US, education programs were impacted along with every other facet of society. As schools closed and went online, it appeared that the instruction process would slow down in medical schools, too. Medical schools are, after all, part of medical centers that were ramping up for a COVID-19 response. The Penn State College … Continue reading "The coronavirus on Smart Talk Tuesday: Medical students expand role with COVID-19 and contact tracing our way out of the pandemic"

As two dozen Pennsylvania counties reopen, there are those living with a wide range of preexisting health conditions who are scared they won’t be protected when they go back to work. With no guarantee that they can continue to collect unemployment if they refuse, this segment of workers face a near-impossible choice: Risk losing their jobs or losing … Continue reading "Coronavirus on Smart Talk Monday: Fearing a return to work, lanternfly hunting season, and Alzheimer advocates welcome nursing home scrutiny"

University of Pennsylvania physician-researcher Dr. David Fajgenbaum, MD, says he has spent his entire adult life seeking answers to difficult questions. He’s earned multiple degrees in the pursuit of knowledge, including two master’s degrees and a Medical Doctorate. But when it was his own personal illness, finding answers seemed, at first, beyond reach.   Fajgenbaum went from being a healthy college athlete and undergrad to his death bed while in medical school. It … Continue reading "Coronavirus on Smart Talk Thursday: Networking a COVID-cure and how stable is our meat supply?"

Pennsylvanians living with an intellectual disability or autism are struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. About 80% have a pre-existing condition that makes them more susceptible to the illness, and the stay-at-home and shutdown orders have left many without support they normally would get. Advocates say the provider organizations are facing a financial catastrophe due to … Continue reading "The coronavirus on Smart Talk Wednesday: Disability providers ask state for immediate help, masks in everyone’s fashion future and can dogs smell COVID-19?"

Gov. Tom Wolf says “politicians” in counties who are now in the red stage of the coronavirus stay-at-home, business shutdown and are threatening to defy the governor’s order and move to the yellow stage, are cowards and selfish. Wolf questioned whether officials in those counties are thinking about the spread of the virus and their … Continue reading "Coronavirus on Smart Talk Tuesday: Wolf says counties defying “red” level face repercussions; Report-state’s nursing home plan delay hurt"

The Monroe County Coroner recently called on Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine, MD, to resign over the what he says is the disparity between the Covid-19 deaths reported by the state and the number the deaths coroners are seeing. As deaths and COVID-19 infections began to rise in the Commonwealth earlier this year, … Continue reading "Coronavirus on Smart Talk Monday: Opioid overdoses increase and standardized diagnostic testing"

About two-thirds — or maybe more — of the COVID-19 deaths in Pennsylvania have occurred in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities. It’s not just in Pennsylvania — the state of Maryland is requiring testing of all long-term care facilities because the death rate there is so high. Republican Speaker of the State House … Continue reading "Coronavirus on Smart Talk Friday: Nursing home protections; Help for the vulnerable"

Beginning Friday, May 8, two regions in Pennsylvania will begin the process of a ‘phased reopening,’ as directed by Gov. Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine, MD. This is a highly anticipated lifting of certain work restrictions and social interactions, but officials warn that it is only one small step … Continue reading "The coronavirus on Smart Talk Thursday: What’s new in the virus’ fight and moving Pa. forward"