The Spark

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman appears on Tuesday’s Smart Talk to address several questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fetterman was appointed by Gov. Tom Wolf last week to lead a task force to address the disparity between how African-Americans, Latinos and Asian Pacific Pennsylvanians are affected by the COVID-19 virus. Pennsylvania doesn’t have thorough … Continue reading "Smart Talk and coronavirus on Tuesday: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman"

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported last week that the social distancing and stay-at-home order were doing what they were intended to do: flatten the curve. The “curve” refers to the rise of the number of daily reported cases. Once those numbers level off or decline, the “curve” has flattened. Department of Health Secretary Dr. … Continue reading "Smart Talk on Monday; coronavirus questions answered"

The national response to the coronavirus pandemic is not slowing down, even as some states and regions begin planning to open their economies and lift work restrictions. The Department of Defense has a robust medical capability that has been directed to aid in hard-hit communities around the county. The US Army is a big part … Continue reading "Coronavirus on Smart Talk Thursday; Army deploys medical response teams and Pa. revenue planners project huge shortfall"

Until the COVID-19 pandemic, K-12 classes were disrupted in Pennsylvania for only days at a time by a snowstorm, mold or a plumbing problem in a school building or maybe a teachers’ strike. Students attended classes physically for the last time in March and last week Gov. Tom Wolf announced schools would closed for the … Continue reading "Coronavirus on Smart Talk Wednesday: Pa. Education Secretary Rivera; College towns without students"

The coronavirus pandemic is having a devastating impact on small businesses throughout Pennsylvania and the country. When the federal government approved the first stimulus plan it included a safety net for small businesses in the form of Paycheck Protection Program loans. The plan is for businesses to apply for the loans through participating lenders, who … Continue reading "The coronavirus on Smart Talk Tuesday: Small business lifeline, banks inundated with loan applications and a push to restart construction projects"

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?"