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April 6th Playbook

Gov. Tom Wolf urges Pennsylvanians to wear masks in public to help stop the spread of coronavirus. Here is the Playbook. 

April 3rd Ups & Downs: A group of reporters are nominated for a national journalism award, the state opens up online liquor sales, plus Gov. Tom Wolf receives high marks for his response to the coronavirus pandemic. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Coronavirus will accelerate EMS crisis in Pa.’s small towns and rural areas, experts say
Spotlight PA: Pa. to stop paying 9,000 state employees amid coronavirus fallout
Spotlight PA: Pa. to close waiver process for businesses affected by coronavirus shutdown as calls for transparency mount
Spotlight PA: Pa. banks inundated with requests for federal small business loans intended to prevent layoffs
Pittsburgh Current: Updated: In Light Of Public Backlash, Planned Parenthood PAC Agrees To Co-Endorse Former Pro-Life State Rep. Adam Ravenstahl, And Challenger EmilyKinkead
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The latest on COVID-19 in Pa.: 8,420 confirmed cases in 63 counties
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. will stop paying 9k non-essential state workers
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Luzerne County manager asks Wolf to call in Pa. Guard to help fight COVID-19 in Hazleton
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: COVID-19 in Pa.: Draft plan to reduce prison pop. includes limited eligibility, gives veto to prosecutors
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: For weeks, Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 testing rate was below the national average. Does it matter?
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. in line for $1.13B in public transit funding from COVID-19 aid package, Sen. Casey’s office says
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: 1 million and counting? Pennsylvanians flood state with unemployment claims
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf to state: ‘Wear a mask’
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: COVID-19 in Pa.: As cases mount, top health official underlines need for masks 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The latest on COVID-19 in Pa.: 11,510 confirmed cases in 65 counties 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘The whole … premise is flawed’: Scarnati questions the math on Erie’s community college plan 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Short on staff and supplies in a pandemic, Erie nursing home employees say they’re not getting the help they need
FiveThirtyEight: The Pennsylvania Legislature Is Testing Out Remote Voting. Here’s How It Works.
AP: Pennsylvania sets COVID-19 cleaning rules for big buildings
AP: Pennsylvania residents told to wear masks in public
AP: A mounting casualty of coronavirus crisis: Health care jobs
AP: Number of PA coronavirus cases tops 10,000; 136 deaths
Central Penn Business Journal: New PHFA chief brings a passion for finance, public policy
Washington Examiner: Pat Toomey Q&A: Why masks matter for all of us in the fight against coronavirus
Inquirer: Pennsylvania throws a coronavirus lifeline that leaves out the neediest hospitals
Inquirer: Layoffs vs. furloughs: What’s the difference and what does it mean for unemployment benefits in Pa.?
Inquirer: Despite coronavirus, Wisconsin is holding an election Tuesday. It could hold lessons for Pa. and N.J.
Inquirer: The coronavirus surge is coming: Racing for supplies, Pa. hopes to avoid disaster and New Jersey fears it’s here
Inquirer: Pa. residents urged to wear masks; state and local governments race for supplies ahead of coronavirus surge
Inquirer: Will homemade masks stop coronavirus from spreading? Fact-checking Sen. Pat Toomey’s claim | PolitiFact
Inquirer: Illegal parking, public defecation, overflowing trash cans: Crowds cause mess at parks during coronavirus pandemic
Inquirer: Coronavirus shutdown prompts a record spike in Pa. liquor sales
Inquirer: A Wayne-based airline is rescuing Americans stranded by coronavirus 
Inquirer: Five migrants test positive for COVID-19 in ICE detention centers in Pennsylvania  
PLSReporter: Pa. unemployment claims top 1 million as economy reels from coronavirus
PLSReporter: With revenue picture darkening state, federal treasury departments loft lifelines
PLSReporter: Wolf calls for all Pennsylvanians to wear masks
PLSReporter: State Supreme Court declines to order inmate release, instructs counties to review practices in light of COVID-19
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania faces a new wave of abandoned oil and gas wells
NPR: Trapped By The Coronavirus Pandemic, Congress Tries New Ways Of Legislating From Home
Fox News: Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie donates $1M to fight coronavirus
Fox News: Food It Forward supporting PA restaurants and essential workers with gift cards 
Fox News: Coronavirus stay-at-home order in Pennsylvania questioned after woman gets $200 ticket for taking drive  
Daily Local News: Toomey urges residents to wear masks when going out in public
National Journal: GOP Campaigns Walk a Fine Line With Trump
National Journal: Trump Campaign Launches Legal Battle to Change Voting Rules
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania halting pay for 9,000 state workers; residents asked to wear masks when leaving home 
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania Supreme Court declines to reduce prison population to stop coronavirus spread
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania introduces new building safety measures to combat COVID-19 as numbers rise
Beaver County Times: Legislators consider statewide rent, mortgage freeze
Beaver County Times: State launches portal to help PPE manufacturers meet needs
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. officials: Play alone so parks can stay open 
The Hill: Kristol-backed group releases ad showing GOP voters blasting Trump over coronavirus response
The Hill: Colorado, Pennsylvania governors urge people to wear masks in public
The Hill: States turn to election security funds to pay off coronavirus costs
Patriot News: Pa. establishes helpline for companies that can produce critical medical supplies needed for COVID-19 response 
Patriot News: ‘People need cars’: Auto dealers seek relief from Pa. Gov. Wolf’s ban on vehicle sales 
Patriot News: Where are Pennsylvania’s coronavirus cases? Map, details on known cases as of April 5, 2020
Politico: Trump campaign declares war on Dems over voting rules for November
StateImpactPA: Citgo ruled liable for millions in Delaware River cleanup costs from 2004 oil spill
StateImpactPA: Why some financial analysts are questioning viability of the Appalachian plastics hub
StateImpactPA: Can air pollution make coronavirus worse? Scientists say yes — possibly in both cases and severity
StateImpactPA: ‘The Triumph of Doubt’ digs into how dark money fuels mistrust of science  

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: How the owner of Philly’s shuttered Hahnemann hospital became the internet’s coronavirus villain
Inquirer: As COVID-19 crisis deepens, out-of-state patients seek help at Philadelphia hospitals
Inquirer: SEPTA to get $643 million in federal coronavirus relief aid
Inquirer: James C. McConnon, a patent lawyer who was SEPTA chairman, dies at 93
Inquirer: Thousands of Philly students are stuck at home without internet after coronavirus closed schools
Inquirer: Philly Police are adapting to the coronavirus crisis. Kensington’s drug dealers are adapting, too.
Inquirer: Philly-area hospitals furlough employees as coronavirus prep depletes revenue
Inquirer: As the coronavirus gains strength in Philly’s jails, panic and fingerpointing mark efforts to avert crisis by thinning inmate population
Inquirer: At first, most Philly coronavirus patients were white. New cases are now primarily African Americans.
Inquirer: Fighting for her life, a teacher watched the local death toll climb | Coronavirus Newsletter 
Inquirer: Is 2020 a lost year? Philly had big plans. The pandemic changed them.
Billy Penn: Protesters: Free Hahnemann! Gov’t leaders: We have better options.
Billy Penn: Updated guide to coronavirus in Philly: Testing, schools, shopping, transit, unemployment and more
Billy Penn: How the Municipal Services Building became Philly’s most polarizing government tower
WHYY Newsworks: SEPTA is getting $643M in federal coronavirus aid
WHYY Newsworks: Possible treatment for COVID-19 enters clinical trial at Penn
NBC10: Tenants fear eviction. Landlords fear bankruptcy. How can Philly balance the two? 
Philadelphia Tribune: Black preachers urge release of low-risk inmates to slow virus spread in city jails
Philadelphia Tribune: Friday coronavirus update: African Americans count for more than a third of coronavirus fatalities in the city
Philadelphia Tribune: Friday coronavirus update: African Americans count for more than a third of coronavirus fatalities in the city
Philadelphia Tribune: SEPTA to get $643M in federal bailout fund
KYW Newsradio: Leaving the house? Now, Philly and state officials say wear a mask
KYW Newsradio: As Philly students get laptops, district prepares for online classes in May
KYW Newsradio: Philly courts announce new protocols that could swiftly reduce inmate populations as coronavirus cases increase in city jails
Philadelphia Business Journal: PHL COVID-19 fund tops $11.3M following major donations from local companies, foundations

SEPA
Daily Local News: Rep. Houlahan named finalist for Democracy Awards 
Daily Local News: Killion to hold COVID-19 tele-Town Hall with medical experts
Daily Local News: Amid coronavirus concerns Limerick nuclear plant officials address refueling work
Daily Local News: Chester County courts will try video conferencing in coronavirus crisis   
Daily Local News: Chesco inmates ask for low bail, citing virus
Daily Local News: Chester County reports two more coronavirus deaths
Bucks County Courier Times: Coronavirus claims another 3 in Bucks County; 4 more in Montgomery County 
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks sees 3 more coronavirus deaths; state urges masks to reduce spread
Bucks County Courier Times: Assistance programs open as Bucks, Montgomery businesses struggle amid coronavirus pandemic
Bucks County Courier Times: Coronavirus: How Bucks police are responding to business shutdown
KYW Newsradio: Lawmakers upset over Exelon’s handling of refueling project
KYW Newsradio: Lawmakers press Exelon to enforce coronavirus safety measures during refueling project
KYW Newsradio: Montgomery County close to finalizing plans for medical surge site
Montgomery Media: Montco reports 101 new cases Sunday, including 4 deaths
Montgomery Media: Workers ‘terrified’ at Limerick nuclear plant amid coronavirus 
Bucks Local News: Bucks County first responder succumbs to COVID-19; death toll reaches 14 in the county
Bucks Local News: Death toll in Bucks County from COVID-19 increases to eight; 77 new positive cases reported
Delco Daily Times: Officials say coronavirus pandemic also doing number on crime 
Delco Daily Times: Boeing shutting down Ridley plant for 2 weeks for deep cleaning

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: A $2.3 trillion question after stimulus bill: What more is needed for Pittsburgh? 
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County reports fourth COVID-19 death 
Post-Gazette: Reschenthaler takes wait-and-see approach on possible fourth stimulus package
Post-Gazette: Proposed Community Reinvestment Act changes have community groups concerned
Post-Gazette: Our country can make biggest mistakes in times of crisis
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 could change the face of commercial real estate in Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Their campuses largely empty, three Pittsburgh universities offer aid in pandemic fight
Post-Gazette: PennDOT to resume work on 18 construction projects considered ‘critical’ in Allegheny, Beaver counties
Post-Gazette: As weather warms, city officials stress social distancing
Post-Gazette: Beleaguered Port Authority eligible for up to $141 million in reimbursements due to COVID-19 losses
WESA: City Public Safety Officials Using Telemedicine, Encouraging People To Stay Home During Weekend
WESA: State Supreme Court Doesn’t Take Up Prisoner Release, But Urges Action On Virus Fears Behind Bars 
WESA: Amid Pandemic, Activists Call Prison Crowding Cruel And Unusual Punishment 
WESA: March 30-April 3 Explained: The Environment, Challenges For Domestic Violence Victims & Mask Debates
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept.: 605 Coronavirus Cases Now Confirmed County-Wide 
KDKA: Coronavirus In Pittsburgh: 75 Percent Drop In Ridership For Port Authority
KDKA: Coronavirus Closures: Pittsburgh Public Schools To Still Distribute Grab & Go Meals During Spring Break
Pittsburgh Business Times: Port Authority eligible for up to $141 million in reimbursements
Pittsburgh Current: Updated: In Light Of Public Backlash, Planned Parenthood PAC Agrees To Co-Endorse Former Pro-Life State Rep. Adam Ravenstahl, And Challenger EmilyKinkead
Tribune Review: 4th person dies of covid-19 in Allegheny County as total cases climb to 605
City Paper: Pittsburgh-area public transit to receive $162 million in federal coronavirus aid
City Paper: Pa. Supreme Court rejects request for large, expedient reduction of county jail populations

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Beaver County officials against Shell reopening, political statements 
Beaver County Times: Bartolotta, GOP colleagues propose bill lifting construction ban
Beaver County Times: Bartolotta proposes one-time grant program for volunteer fire, EMS companies
Beaver County Times: Aliquippa officer sues mayor, district attorney in federal court
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: UPDATE: Coronavirus caseload grows by nearly 1,500 but death rate down after spike on Saturday 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘Staying at a safe distance’: Social-distancing improvements being seen across the region 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Elected officials work around barriers to aid constituents  
Observer-Reporter: Counties handling concealed-carry permits for guns differently during pandemic
Observer-Reporter: Monessen-California area to receive more than $2.6 million from CARES Act
Observer-Reporter: Officials warn of coronavirus related scams
Pittsburgh Business Times: Westmoreland County lays off, furloughs hundreds of its employees
Tribune Review: 12 more covid-19 cases reported in Westmoreland County
Altoona Mirror: Remote town hall will discuss vets’ services

NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County COVID-19 cases increase by 93 to 741; state at 11,510 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County March personnel actions released
Citizens Voice: 93 new COVID-19 cases in Luzerne County 
Citizens Voice: GOP voter registration gains continue in county  
Times-Tribune: Coronavirus cases rise in NEPA as state’s total surpasses 10,000 
Times-Tribune: NEPA region reports more than 200 new cases of COVID-19
Times-Tribune: Greyhound suspending New York City bus service to slow COVID-19 
Times-Tribune: Scranton mayor wants Greyhound to stop buses from NYC 
Times-Tribune: Honesdale Council to meet on Monday 
Times-Tribune: Some neighborhoods more vulnerable in pandemic 
Times-Tribune: Area colleges face furloughs, financial losses and uncertainty
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 – Complete Coverage

South Central 
Patriot News: Pa. coronavirus cases now over 11,500; 150 have died 
York Dispatch: COVID-19 cases climb to 171 in York County as of Sunday
York Dispatch: ACLU files lawsuit seeking release of 13 more detainees at York County Prison
York Dispatch: ICE detainee at York County Prison tests positive for COVID‐19
Carlisle Sentinel: Tracking COVID-19: Charts detail the course of coronavirus in Cumberland County 
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle Borough Hall to be closed to public for April 9 council meeting; call-in and video options for public 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County sees 5 more COVID-19 deaths, coroner says; county total now 13
LNP | LancasterOnline: How many COVID-19 cases are in Pa.? 1,493 new ones Sunday
LNP | LancasterOnline: How many COVID-19 cases officially reported in Lancaster County? 371 as of Sunday

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Coronavirus and Pennsylvania budget: Lawmaker calls crisis a financial ‘thousand-year flood’ and says deficit to be in billions
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: nearly 1,500 more cases, 14 more deaths
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates: Cases jump 1,404 on Friday to 8,420; Gov. Wolf asks everyone in state to wear masks in public
Morning Call: Easton to furlough more than 30% of its workforce to make up for budget shortfall from coronavirus
Morning Call: Upper Macungie may declare state of emergency over coronavirus pandemic to get federal funds
Morning Call: Northampton County Jail on lockdown after two employees test positive for COVID-19
Morning Call: Coronavirus in the Lehigh Valley: What you need to know 
Reading Eagle: Berks adds 41 coronavirus cases Sunday; statewide cases up nearly 1,500
Reading Eagle: Coronavirus won’t stop $270 million Interstate 78 upgrade in Berks County, PennDOT announces
Reading Eagle: Judicial emergency extended at Berks County courthouse
Reading Eagle: Reading Area Transportation Study group will receive $10.5 million grant as part of coronavirus stimulus package
Reading Eagle: Coronavirus effects show on main streets in Berks County
Reading Eagle: Berks County coroner reports 3 more coronavirus-related deaths
Express Times: Coronavirus questions, concerns to be addressed at Lehigh Valley virtual town hall
Express Times: There are now 11,510 coronavirus cases in Pa.; Lehigh Valley reports 1 more death, 121 new cases (04/5/2020)
Express Times: Lehigh Valley congresswoman’s office flooded with calls about workers’ coronavirus worries
Express Times: Pa. and Lehigh Valley issue calls for more personal protective equipment amid coronavirus pandemic
Express Times: LANTA getting federal help, as riders leave amid coronavirus pandemic

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: COVID-19 names fuel dispute between Erie chief, county
Erie Times-News: One new COVID-19 positive case reported in Erie County
Erie Times-News: Coronavirus: Erie-area updates, Friday, April 3
Erie Times-News: Week 4: How the coronavirus changes life in Erie County
Erie Times-News: EMTA receives $12 million in CARES act funding
Erie Times-News: Erie County might create bureau to track COVID-19 grants
Erie Times-News: Erie releases less virus data than other counties. Why?
Erie Times-News: City removes basketball rims at Erie parks
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘The whole … premise is flawed’: Scarnati questions the math on Erie’s community college plan 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Short on staff and supplies in a pandemic, Erie nursing home employees say they’re not getting the help they need
Centre Daily Times: Centre County up to 43 coronavirus cases as Pennsylvania tops 11,500 total cases
Centre Daily Times: What does the coronavirus shutdown mean for Centre County development projects?
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Williamsport to receive $7.2 million in transit funding
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Residency requirement in place for non-union workers

Opinion  
State Sen. Wayne Fontana: Voting by mail is no longer the exception
Inquirer Editorial Board: Coronavirus requires drastic measures from all fronts
Inquirer Editorial Board: This coronavirus pandemic can be lethal to the environment, too 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Federalism at work: Founders were right to let states make decisions  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Worship in safety: Public health, religious freedom can coexist 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Caring for Pennsylvania: Josh Shapiro, PNC launch laudable initiative
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Unnecessary rollbacks: Lower vehicle mileage standards make no sense 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: On the front lines: The virus fight needs a diverse fighting force 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Child care in crisis: Pandemic pushes system to its breaking point 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A noble commitment: Businesses trying to keep employees on payroll
David Sunday: York County DA: Never fear, criminals will be arrested & prosecuted during COVID-19 crisis
John L. Micek: ‘A torrent of hate’: Pa.’s Asian-American community endures COVID-19 backlash | Friday Morning Coffee
Tarik Khan: Philly nurse practitioner: We tried to order 300 COVID-19 tests. We got five. | Expert Opinion
Adam Sanchez: Philly teacher: School District was right not to rush remote learning amid coronavirus 
Charles D. Ellison: Reality Check: We Shouldn’t Have To Pick Sides Over Gun Violence 
Larry Platt: Banks To The Rescue? 
Tim Hartman: The wrong kind of blue wave | Editorial Cartoon
Erin Narewski: A Temple physician on the front lines of COVID-19: Do I go home each night and risk my husband’s health? 
Matthew Stiegler: Releasing only inmates who’ve already been diagnosed with coronavirus would be a grave mistake 
Mariana Gonzalez and Rachel K. Miller: How older adults and caregivers can weather the coronavirus pandemic | Expert Opinion
Ruth Ann Dailey: Voluntary socialism
Brian O’Neill: A dollar might do two jobs in this pandemic
Tony Norman: Tempting the God of very small things (like viruses)
Maria Panaritis: A ‘catastrophic’ future looms. Can we stop COVID-19′s economic devastation?
Mara Smith: How COVID-19 could lead to the rapid adoption of telehealth 
John A. Tures: The pandemic shows why you need a local newspaper more than ever
Rob Tornoe: Coronavirus cartoon: We lost the fight against our phones and screens
Ronnie Polaneczky: When the only thing that makes sense is kindness | Perspective
Kevin Riordan: With relaxed blood donation restrictions, gay men like me are ready to roll up our sleeves for coronavirus aid 
Helen Ubiñas: Three years ago, this artist couldn’t stop drawing a dystopian image. Now it’s prescient 
Denny Bonavita: So you’ve bought a new gun. Should you lock it up? It depends
Will Bunch: Trump, McConnell use American coronavirus death to ram through wretched judges, dirty air, and worse 
Astrid Rodrigues and Tyger Williams: The Lonely Disease: An Abington teacher’s fight for survival against coronavirus
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Philadelphia’s gun virus viewed from the sidewalk
Maureen Boland: Hospitalized with coronavirus, I fought for my life and watched the death toll rise
Keith C. Burris: Into the chop
David M. Shribman: Monitoring the pandemic — from space
Gene Therapy: Up on the tightrope with Dr. Anthony Fauci

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  • Do you agree that ByteDance should be forced to divest TikTok?


    • Yes. It's a national security risk. (60%)
    • No. It's an app used by millions and poses no threat. (40%)
    • What's ByteDance? (0%)

    Total Voters: 30

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