Coronavirus?
Pa. state shutdown: What’s staying open, what’s closing in coronavirus fight | What is a nonessential business?
Nonessential businesses are asked to close for two weeks during Pennsylvania's statewide shutdown over the coronavirus. Here's what that means for grocery stores, liquor stores, gyms, theaters and more.Mikayla Carter | MLive.com
UPDATE (8:27 p.m.): The Wolf administration has released further guidelines and examples of essential businesses. This story has been updated with this new information.
To combat the coronavirus and keep people from further spreading the pandemic, Pennsylvania is telling all nonessential government offices and businesses to shut down for two weeks, effective at midnight.
But what is a nonessential business? What’s open, what’s closed in Pennsylvania come Tuesday?
State officials spelled out their guidelines last week, when they first imposed these measures on suburban Philadelphia counties where the new coronavirus has been most concentrated.
First, what’s staying open:
- Pharmacies, supermarkets and convenience stores are considered essential.
- All medical and healthcare facilities.
- Restaurants should stay open but only for carryout and delivery, not for sit-down dining.
- Food processing, agriculture and industrial manufacturing.
- Home and auto repair, hardware and construction.
- Trash collection.
- Post offices.
- Banks and insurance.
- Gas stations.
- Laundromats.
- Vets and pet stores.
- Warehousing, storage and distribution.
- Public transportation.
- Hotel and commercial lodging.
Other businesses like legal services, business consulting and other professional services are encouraged to have employees work remotely, telecommute or at the very least practice social distancing and avoid groups of 10 or more people.
What’s closing? These kinds of businesses are considered non-essential:
- Community and recreation centers.
- Gyms, including yoga, spin and barre facilities.
- Hair and nail salons and spas.
- Casinos, concert venues and theaters.
- Bars and liquor stores.
- Sports facilities and golf courses.
- Most retail facilities, including shopping malls.
Pennsylvania liquor stores will close indefinitely at 9 p.m. Tuesday. Online liquor sales at http://www.FineWineAndGoodSpirits.com will end at 5 p.m. Monday. Beer and wine will still be sold where available in grocery stores.
State parks will remain open, but all buildings and restrooms will be inaccessible and all educational programs are canceled. There will be no curfews imposed nor Pennsylvania mobilizing the National Guard, like in neighboring New Jersey.
All PennDOT driver- and photo-license centers will close for two weeks effective end-of-business on Monday. Any licenses, vehicle registrations and parking placards that expire at the end of March will be extended through April 30.
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and U.S. Small Business Administration can assist with loans to help non-essential businesses survive the next two weeks, according to previous guidance and remarks from Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday.
"This isn’t a decision I take lightly at all,” Wolf said in Monday’s news conference announcing the statewide expansion of what he last week termed “aggressive” mitigation efforts.
He noted he can’t force businesses to close, but asked them to do so for the good of their communities.
“Community is important right now because we're all going to have to work together to get through this,” Wolf said.
The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has infected at least 76 Pennsylvanians as of Monday and can be most harmful to older residents and people with compromised immune systems. State Health Secretary Rachel Levine said that people need to maintain distance to keep from spreading the virus, which can remain dormant for up to two weeks.
"Your job right now,” Levine said, “is to stay calm, stay safe, and please stay at home."
For more information on the coronavirus, consult your state health department at health.pa.gov and the CDC website.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. If there’s anything about this story that needs attention, please email him. Follow him on Twitter @SteveNovakLVL and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Uber, Lyft suspend pooled rides in U.S., Canada to limit spread of coronavirus
(Reuters) - Uber Technologies Inc and Lyft Inc Tuesday began suspending shared rides on their ride-hailing platforms in the United States and Canada to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Uber also said it has suspended its shared rides services in London and Paris.
The pooled option, which allows riders to book trips at lower prices by sharing the car with up to three other passengers traveling in the same direction, has been disabled for users opening the apps.
“Our goal is to help flatten the curve on community spread in the cities we serve,” senior vice president Uber Rides and Platform Andrew Macdonald said in a statement.
A spokesman said similar steps outside the two countries would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Regular rides and the company’s food delivery platform, Uber Eats, remain available, but Uber said it was in contact with local authorities to adjust operations as needed.
North America provides the bulk of Uber’s revenue, but pooled rides make up only a small share of all bookings, data by U.S. cities showed.
Lyft, Uber’s smaller competitor operating only in the United States and Canada, said in a statement on Tuesday that it was also suspending all shared rides.
“The health and safety of the Lyft community is our top priority, and we’re dedicated to doing what we can to slow the spread of COVID-19,” the company said.
A larger share of Lyft’s rides are shared compared to Uber’s, but still make up less than a third of all trips, city data showed.
The new coronavirus that causes respiratory illness has spread quickly throughout the United States, killing more than 80 people and infecting more than 4,700.
The federal government has urged people to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people. Some state and local authorities have closed bars, restaurants and other venues to try and slow the spread of the virus.
Beginning on Tuesday, Uber users in the United States and Canada will also see a message reminding them to consider if the ride they plan to book is essential and to “travel only when necessary,” images provided by Uber showed.
Riders are also being asked to consider the safety of their drivers by washing their hands before and after a ride, sitting in the back seat and rolling down the window to improve ventilation.
Uber has previously said it will compensate drivers and delivery people diagnosed with coronavirus or placed in quarantine by health officials for up to 14 days.
Reporting by Tina Bellon in New York; editing by Richard Pullin and Grant McCool
Drunken idiot :
Reportedly Coughed On Cop, Told Him She Has Coronavirus
Traffic police officer stopped woman for alcohol test
source : waeb.com
Californians Calling Cops On Neighbors If They Hear Them Coughing
Authored by Paul Joseph Watson via Summit News,
Some Californians are calling 911 if they hear their neighbors loudly coughing or sneezing, with paramedics being dispatched to homes in some cases.
Yes, really.
“Coachella Valley police departments say they’ve started fielding 911 reports from concerned callers convinced a neighbor’s overly loud sneeze or hacking cough is proof the person has the virus,” reports the Desert Sun.
With millions of people across the state under a quarantine that mandates isolation except for essential travel, it appears as though some Californians are passing the time by grassing up their own neighbors to medical authorities.
Instead of telling them to reserve 911 calls for emergencies only, police are actually responding by sending out paramedics to test the cougher and even remove them from their home.
“In many cases, the calls are forwarded to the fire department where paramedics are also dispatched to directly provide any needed medical attention before transporting the person to an area hospital,” according to the report.
“Presumably, the ride to the hospital is still voluntary for now, even in hyperstatist California. Or maybe they are setting up quarantine camps,” comments Dave Blount.
There have been 486 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state of California, which has a population of nearly 40 million. Six people have died.
* * *
source : zerohedge.com
Let's put all of this fear, overreaction, and general ignorance in perspective.
Want to know the real causes of death worldwide?
56 million people died in 2017.1 What caused their death? How did the causes of death change over time and differ between different countries and world regions? And what are the risk factors that lead to early death? These are the big questions we are answering here.
Summary
- Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally. The second biggest cause are cancers.
- In this section you can see the causes of death for all countries in the world.
- Causes of death vary significantly between countries: non-communicable diseases dominate in rich countries, whereas infectious diseases remain high at lower incomes.
- The world is making progress against infectious diseases. As a consequence more people are dying from non-communicable diseases.
- Fewer people die at a young age. Almost half of all people who die are 70 years and older.
- Leading risk factors for premature death globally include high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, high blood sugar and environmental risk factors including air pollution.
- There is a large difference between what people die from and which causes of death receive news coverage.
Read the full article (too comprehensive to post here on our forum) by clicking this link ~> https://ourworldindata.org/causes-of-death <~
Love, Dan, a. k. a. smAshomAsh
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WHO Now Officially Recommends to Avoid Taking Ibuprofen For COVID-19 Symptoms
AFP
18 MARCH 2020
The World Health Organization recommended Tuesday that people suffering COVID-19 symptoms avoid taking ibuprofen, after French officials warned that anti-inflammatory drugs could worsen effects of the virus.
The warning by French Health Minister Veran followed a recent study in The Lancet medical journal that hypothesised that an enzyme boosted by anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen could facilitate and worsen COVID-19 infections.
Asked about the study, WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told reporters in Geneva the UN health agency's experts were "looking into this to give further guidance."
"In the meantime, we recommend using rather paracetamol, and do not use ibuprofen as a self-medication. That's important," he said.
He added that if ibuprofen had been "prescribed by the healthcare professionals, then, of course, that's up to them."
His comments came after Veran sent a tweet cautioning that the use of ibuprofen and similar anti-inflammatory drugs could be "an aggravating factor" in COVID-19 infections.
"In the case of fever, take paracetamol," he wrote.
The French minister stressed that patients already being treated with anti-inflammatory drugs should ask advice from their doctor.
Paracetamol must be taken strictly according to the recommended dose, because too much of it can damage the liver.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which has infected around 190,000 people worldwide and killed more than 7,800, causes mild symptoms in most people, but can result in pneumonia and in some cases severe illness that can lead to multiple organ failure.
Even before the pandemic, French authorities sounded the alarm over serious "infectious complications" linked to the use of ibuprofen, which is sold under various brands like Nurofen and Advil, and other anti-inflammatory drugs.
A spokesperson for British pharmaceutical company Reckitt Benckiser, which makes Nurofen, said in an email statement that the company was aware of concerns raised about "the use of steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) products, including ibuprofen, for the alleviation of COVID-19 symptoms."
"Consumer safety is our number one priority," the spokesperson said, stressing that "ibuprofen is a well-established medicine that has been used safely as a self-care fever and pain reducer, including in viral illnesses, for more than 30 years."
"We do not currently believe there is any proven scientific evidence linking over-the-counter use of ibuprofen to the aggravation of COVID-19," the statement said.
The spokesperson said Reckitt Benckiser was "engaging with the WHO, EMA (the European Medicines Agency) and other local health authorities" on the issue and would provide "any additional information or guidance necessary for the safe use of our products following any such evaluation."
Explainer: What's in the U.S. coronavirus aid bill that just passed Congress?
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate passed a more than $100 billion coronavirus aid package on Wednesday, sending it on to President Donald Trump who is expected to sign it into law. Lawmakers are already working on another stimulus effort in response to the widening outbreak in the country.
Here are major elements of the legislation, which passed the House of Representatives on Saturday.
FREE CORONAVIRUS TESTING
The bill would provide free coronavirus testing for those who need it. The Trump administration has struggled to make such tests available.
The legislation would require private healthcare insurers to pay for all testing costs for beneficiaries with medical coverage. It also would cover testing costs for people who receive health care through government-run programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. It provides $1 billion to the National Disaster Medical System, a coordinated healthcare system and partnership involving several federal agencies, to cover costs for people without medical insurance.
PAID SICK LEAVE AND EMERGENCY LEAVE FOR SOME WORKERS
Roughly a third of U.S. employees, predominantly lower-paid workers, currently do not get paid when they stay home due to illness. Health officials have said the coronavirus could spread more quickly if infected workers feel like they cannot afford to stay home without pay.
The bill would require governments and private businesses with fewer than 500 employees to provide up to two weeks of paid sick leave for those who miss work due to coronavirus or for those who have to take care of family members affected by the outbreak.
Workers could take another 10 weeks off, if needed, at two-thirds of their pay.
Businesses and self-employed workers would be able to claim refundable tax credits to cover the expense.
The U.S. Labor Department could exempt companies with fewer than 50 workers if they risk going out of business.
The bill would not apply to large employers like McDonald’s Corp that do not provide paid sick leave. Some large employers, including Walmart Inc and Darden Restaurants, have announced they will do so voluntarily.
The bill would only apply to coronavirus-related illnesses and would last only through the end of 2020.
The American Flag flies at the U.S. Capitol Building, as Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a State of Emergency due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 18, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner
ENHANCED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
The bill would cover costs for states that extend unemployment payments for six months beyond the usual six-month time limit.
The benefit would apply only to states that see their unemployment rates rise by at least 10%. They would get interest-free loans, if needed, to cover benefit costs under the bill.
It also would encourage employers to avoid layoffs by reducing employees’ hours instead. Affected employees would get unemployment benefits to offset those lost wages.
FOOD ASSISTANCE
The bill would strengthen several programs that help feed low-income Americans. It would provide $250 million for home-delivery meals to seniors, $400 million for food banks, and $500 million to help feed mothers and young children.
It would allow schools that provide free breakfasts and lunches to low-income students to distribute those meals to go, rather than requiring them to be eaten in a cafeteria.
The bill would suspend work requirements for the “food stamp” program that helps low-income people buy groceries. That would override a new Trump administration restriction, due to kick in on April 1, that would have cut off benefits for 700,000 childless, able-bodied adults who are not working.
INCREASE FUNDING FOR MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR THE POOR
The package would increase federal funding for Medicaid, the healthcare program for the poor, which typically experiences increased enrollment during economic downturns.
Reporting by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Paul Simao
Why there will soon be tons of toilet paper, and what food may be scarce, according to supply chain experts
Stuck rationing toilet paper because you didn’t stockpile during the coronavirus panic over the last few days? Don’t worry, according to supply chain experts.
“All the grocery stores are going to have pallets of toilet paper sitting in the aisles, and nobody is going to buy it, because who needs to buy toilet paper when you’ve got a year’s worth sitting in your garage?” Daniel Stanton, a supply chain expert and author of “Supply Chain Management for Dummies,” tells CNBC Make It.
But what about food?
Even if the COVID-19 pandemic stretches over months (President Donald Trump said it could last until August), there will be no big food shortages, especially on staples like milk, eggs, cheese, bread and meat, according to three supply chain experts who spoke to Make It.
But your favorite brand or the exact kind of fruit you want could be scarce.
“The brand that you normally want may not be available. But, hey, there’s some other kind of pasta. Or instead of rice, we’re going to have potatoes for dinner,” Stanton says.
“The U.S. produces a huge amount of food. We’re also an exporter of food, so we’re going to be okay,” he adds.
Many food manufacturers have been adjusting their production lines for social distancing and have increased cleaning to ensure workers’ safety in recent weeks, experts say.
With that in mind, here are the few kinds of products that might actually be harder to find.
Specialty items
Specialty items like imported pastas and wines from Italy, cheeses from France or other niche food products from countries overseas or smaller businesses may be impacted, says Anantha Iyer, senior associate dean in supply chain and operations management at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management.
These kinds of items may not go out of stock permanently, but it could “get a little tricky,” Iyer tells Make It.
“Some ingredients for nearshore specialty things could get shut off because they can’t come across the border,” Stanton says.
Brandon Hernandez, a supply chain expert and partner at Whole Brain Consulting, who works with specialty brands in the U.S., agrees.
“I think the major items of concern are more tied towards raw materials or packaging coming out of China that support the broader food chain,” Hernandez tells Make It, explaining that China is an important exporter to the U.S. and provides things like quinoa and spices.
Because the pandemic may encourage higher scrutiny of exports, that “could potentially slow down the supply chain,” he says.
As for U.S. specialty products, Hernandez doesn’t foresee a “complete collapse in things like [protein] bars or all the [specialty] chips are going to be gone or anything like that,” but the items may not restock as quickly.
Certain fruits and vegetables
Iyer says Americans may just have to be “a little flexible” on certain types of fruits and vegetables they want to buy in the coming months.
“If you don’t see one type of fruit, you may have to buy another type of fruit,” he says.
That’s because some kinds of produce are imported from other countries, so there may be delays in shipping if ports begin to close.
Hernandez agrees it is possible that Americans could see gaps in availability.
“I’m not saying that it’s impossible that you won’t see bananas become scarce or strawberries in the back half of the year, because they shift from California production to Mexico production.”
“Maybe it’s possible, but it really depends on what they decide to impose at the borders from the [Food and Drug Administration] and the [United States Department of Agriculture] standpoint,” Hernandez says.
Overall, however, Stanton believes many domestic farmers and ranchers, who have been struggling in recent years, could actually see a boost amid the pandemic, as the U.S. may look to local suppliers for produce instead of international suppliers.
source- cnbc.com
Homemade Baking Soda Mouthwash Recipes
A Cheap and Easy Option for Fresh Breath
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If you're looking for a cheap and natural way to freshen your breath, you need not look any further than your own pantry or refrigerator. While you may know that you can use baking soda to brush and whiten your teeth, did you know that it can also be used as a mouthwash? Yep, it's true.
Try these simple mouthwash recipes, and see what you think. Both recipes are alcohol-free, so they should work for everyone in your household.
Baking Soda Mouthwash
Add half a teaspoon of baking soda to half a glass of warm water, and use it to gargle. It's an instant fix for even the worst case of bad breath. Make a fresh batch each time you need it, or mix enough to last you three or four days. If you keep it any longer than that, it's likely to have degraded to sodium carbonate, which is still OK to use, but not as balancing as a fresh rinse.
Baking Soda and Salt Mouthwash
The National Cancer Institute recommends this as a mouthwash, to be used every three hours throughout the day, for people who are dealing with a dry mouth and taste changes due to chemotherapy. Just mix together one cup of warm water, 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon of salt. After swishing it around your mouth; rinse with plain water. This is also a good mouthwash to use if you have canker sores, sore gums, or other mouth injuries, since baking soda and salt have both been proven to speed healing.
Why It Works
Baking soda neutralizes the odors in your mouth, rather than just covering them up. It has an alkaline pH, which balances the acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth and also counteracts the effects of acidic drinks, such as sodas and coffee. Coffee breath is the worst!
Benefits
- Inexpensive: A box of baking soda is dirt cheap, and it's something you probably already have in your house. Pull a box from your pantry. Don't use the box that's been absorbing odors in your fridge.
- No harsh chemicals, artificial colors or flavorings: You know what's in your baking soda mouthwash, but you probably can't say that about store-bought mouth washes -- even after you've read their label. Avoid fake ingredients, with unknown health effects, by using something that's all-natural.
- No strong taste: The overpowering flavor of many mouthwashes can be displeasing, especially if you're going through chemotherapy or you're pregnant.
- Alcohol-free: Many commercial mouthwashes contain alcohol. That's something you should avoid if you're in recovery, or living in a household with others who have a past or current alcohol problem. It's also something you probably don't want your kids using.This homemade mouthwash is something everyone can use.
- Multi-purpose: Besides keeping your mouth clean and odor free, baking soda can be used to make a variety of household cleaners and beauty products, everything from shampoo and deodorant to a highly-effective kitchen degreaser. Keep your pantry well-stocked, so baking soda can become one of your household go-tos.
Tips
- Keep some baking soda in your purse or briefcase, and you can even freshen your breath on the go. Be sure to label the container you put it in, so you don't have to explain the suspicious white powder that you're carrying. Of course, you still may find that you have to explain your mouthwash to co-workers, at least until they get used to your new routine.If you're worried about it, just bring it pre-mixed with water. That's far less likely to raise suspicions.
- If you miss the flavor of store-bought mouthwash, add a drop of (food-grade) peppermint oil for a minty taste.
- Prefer to make big batches? Boil your water, and add a teaspoon of baking soda for every eight ounces of water. Then, store your mouthwash in a sterilized container. Be sure to label it, so no one dumps it out, or mistakes it for something else.
- Keep a box of baking soda under the bathroom sink, or in the medicine cabinet, so it'll be easy to mix batches on the fly. If you make it easy to do, you're far more likely to stick to your new routine.
source: liveabout.com
