Pennsylvania schools close after first pediatric coronavirus case identified

By Christen Smith |

The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf closed all public schools Friday, just hours after health officials confirmed the state\’s first case of novel coronavirus diagnosed in a patient younger than 18.

The shutdown will last 10 business days through March 30, at which time Wolf said the state will reevaluate the situation.

“We understand that these are trying times and recognize the impact of the coronavirus on our students and communities,” he said. “First and foremost, my top priority as governor – and that of our education leaders – must be to ensure the health and safety of our students and school communities.”

Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said this is the first known pediatric case in the state, where so far 33 residents have tested positive for COVID-19. Of the 300 tested, 140 have come back negative and 130 more are pending, Levine said.

No other details were released about the pediatric patient, except that the case was from Monroe County. Thursday, the governor recommended statewide social distancing policies and shut down schools and public buildings in Montgomery County, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak. He expanded that mandate to all schools across Pennsylvania’s 67 counties Friday afternoon.

Schools will not be penalized for falling short of the 180-day instruction requirement, Wolf said. The Department of Education will provide breakfast and lunch to low-income students during the two-week closure.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said children don’t appear as susceptible to the more severe symptoms of COVID-19, though it is unknown why.

So far, the CDC has confirmed 1,629 cases across 46 states and Washington D.C., with 41 reported deaths. Worldwide, more than 133,000 people have contracted the virus and nearly 5,000 have died.

published here by The Gloucestercitynews.net with permission of

The Center Square

Senator Pat Toomey\’s Statement Regarding the Murder of Corporal James O\’Connor

Allentown, Pa.

– U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) released the following statement regarding the murder of Philadelphia Police Corporal James O\’Connor:

\”Philadelphia Police Corporal James O\’Connor was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a murder suspect this morning. Put more simply, he was murdered for doing his job – serving and protecting the people of Philadelphia, which he has done for the past 23 years. My deepest condolences go out to Corporal O\’Connor\’s wife, children, friends, and fellow officers.

\”The monster who murdered Corporal O\’Connor must be aggressively prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. And Congress needs to do more to keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals.\”

GUEST OPINION: America awakes to a national emergency and a weekend at home

By Dan McCaleb |

The Center Square

A day after President Donald Trump issued an

emergency declaration

over the coronavirus pandemic, Americans woke up Saturday realizing life over the next several weeks will be very different.

Schools are closed. Colleges and universities are turning to virtual education online. College students studying far from home are making travel plans to return home early.

Sporting events are postponed or cancelled.

Many workers are being asked to work from home.

Grocery store shelves are empty.

Churches are cancelling services.

Many states have enacted bans on mass gatherings, including parades, concerts and other social events.

Americans\’ 401(k)s are less valuable.

Social distancing is the catch phrase of the day.

As of Friday night, more than 2,200 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus that originated in China in December. At least 59 people died: the majority of them, 37, in the state of Washington, the epicenter of the disease in the U.S.

Globally, more than 142,000 cases have been confirmed.

Trump during a Friday afternoon news conference asked Americans not to panic but instead called for a \”shared sacrifice\” so \”we can get past this.\”

Trump\’s emergency declaration makes available up to $50 billion of federal funds to help stop the spread of the disease and frees up other federal resources. He asked every hospital in the country to activate their disaster plans to help deal with the crisis and every state to establish emergency response centers.

He said a public-private partnership will lead to the faster development of new tests, which have been in short supply around the country. Drive-thru testing has begun in some states, and Trump vowed that more would be opening across the country soon.

Health officials say most people are not at high risk of serious complications from COVID-19, but they urge everyone to take proper precautions to help protect people who are in high-risk groups, such as older people and those with chronic health conditions.

Health officials recommend the following precautions:

Those who believe they been exposed to COVID-19 should call their healthcare provider, or the nearest hospital if they lack a healthcare provider

Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing

Avoid contact with people who are sick and say home if you are sick

Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in public

posted here with permission of

The Center Square

OFFICER DOWN: Philadelphia Police Corporal James O\’Connor, SHOT AND KILLED

Corporal James O\’Connor

Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania

End of Watch

Friday, March 13, 2020

PHILADELPHIA PA (March 13, 2020)–Corporal James O\’Connor, age 46, was shot and killed during a SWAT team operation to arrest a homicide suspect at 5:50 am.

The SWAT team was securing the home on Bridge Street, near Duffield Street, when the subject opened fire on them through a closed door on the second floor. Corporal O\’Connor was struck in the shoulder in an area not protected by his vest.

Corporal O\’Connor was transported to Temple University Hospital where he succumbed to his wound 20 minutes later.

Corporal O\’Connor had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 23 years and had been a member of the SWAT team for 15 years. He is survived by his wife and two children. One of his sons also served with the Philadelphia Police Department.

Via

Officer Down Memorial page

CNB Crime

Blue Line

CNBNews Tips and Snippets

CNBNews Point of View

BREAKING NEWS

published Gloucestercitynews.net | March 13, 2020

ARCHBISHOP NELSON J. PEREZ REGARDING THE DEATH OF SWAT CORPORAL JIM O’CONNOR

I was deeply saddened this morning to learn that SWAT Corporal James O’Connor of the Philadelphia Police Department was shot and killed in the line of duty. In the name of the people of the Archdiocese, I extend my condolences to Corporal O’Connor’s family and friends as they mourn this tragic loss. My heartfelt sympathy also goes out to Commissioner Outlaw and the faithful men and women of the Philadelphia Police Department as they cope with the death of a brother in blue. Each day, the members of our law enforcement community put their lives on the line to protect and serve all of us. We owe them a debt of gratitude.

This moment is one of deep mourning for the entire City of Philadelphia and the broader metropolitan region. I have asked the priests, deacons, religious, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese to join me praying for the soul of Corporal O’Connor, for the consolation and peace of his family, and for all those are suffering as a result of his death. May the Lord pour His mercy upon them and hold them in His loving embrace.

+Nelson J. Pérez

Archbishop of Philadelphia

DLA Piper Opens an International Cannabis Law Practice

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(March 13, 2020)–No one can ignore the growth, size, and importance of the global cannabis industry anymore, especially when it comes to the medical cannabis market. Scientists keep on proving the health benefits of cannabis use, thus creating entirely new types of alternative treatments. That is the reason why a lot of companies and startups start to invest in the industry.

One of them is DLA Piper.

DLA Piper

, one of the biggest and well-known law firms in the world, has started an international cannabis practice with a team that will comprise more than 70 lawyers. They will be operating in more than 15 countries across Europe, Australasia, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The decision came after closing a large number of deals that brought the firm over $8 billion.

The team will be led from Canada by Toronto based partner Robert Fonn and from England by London based senior associate Dylan Kennett.

DLA Piper’s life sciences sector team is one of the biggest of any law firm. Considering that the

cannabis industry

has become one of the fastest-growing ones, it is no wonder that one of the largest law firms wants to take advantage of it.

DLA Piper will continue advising on a range of legal matters in the cannabis industry, including the changing regulatory environment around the world, thus helping its clients understand and keep up with all legislative regimes in the growing industry. It will also focus on the medicinal products market, publicly acknowledging the proven benefits of cannabis and supporting further research.

It is expected that more and more companies and brands from all industries will follow in its footsteps. This is inspired by the predictions for the cannabis industry for the next decade. It appears that Europe has the potential to become a market leader, and everyone is watching closely.

Let us take a look at some predictions.

According to some estimates, spending on legal cannabis globally will reach $66.3 billion by 2025. The recreational cannabis market will cover 67% of the spending, while medical cannabis and the

CBD market

will cover the remaining 33%.

Other predictions say that the European cannabis market will reach $136 billion by the end of 2028. The United Kingdom’s market should reach

£2.31 billion by 2024

, and if Germany joins the legalization trend, its market could reach

$9.39 billion by 2028

On the other hand, Asia’s medical cannabis market could be worth $5.8 billion, Oceania’s cannabis market could reach $2.7 billion, and Thailand’s cannabis market could hit $661 million by 2024.

There is no doubt that the cannabis industry will become one of the biggest industries in the world, especially if it continues to grow at this rate. One thing is certain as well: all of those deciding on this venture are going to need professional legal advice.

images courtesy of unsplash.com

You Could Be Part Of The 33 Percent

One in three American adults are at risk of life-threatening kidney disease, and most don’t know it—but that can be remedied.

(NAPSI)—Look around the next time you’re in a crowd. One-third of everyone in there with you is at risk of developing dangerous kidney disease.

Kidney Disease Facts

In the United States, 37 million adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease—and more than 90% aren’t aware of it. Often there are no symptoms; they won’t find out until their kidney’s fail. Kidneys are vital organs—as important as your heart, liver or lungs—that work 24/7 to clean toxins from your body. No one can live without functioning kidneys. When kidneys fail, only immediate dialysis or a transplant can save you.

A Solution

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF)—the largest, most comprehensive, and longstanding patient-centric organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease in the U.S.—wants to change the odds. Every adult in the United States needs to know the risk and can find out with a simple, one-minute online quiz rolled out for National Kidney Month in March that can let you know if you’re in the 33 percent—and what to do about it.

“We have a public health crisis that needs to be addressed by all Americans,” said NKF CEO and kidney transplant recipient Kevin Longino. “We will never give up trying to find ways to reach people, slow or stop the progression of this disease and lessen the burden for patients. Early testing and interventions are the key.”

What To Watch For

Risk factors for kidney disease are:

• High blood pressure

• Heart disease

• Diabetes

• Obesity

• A family history of kidney disease.

What To Do

If you have one or more of these factors, you should to go to

MinuteForYourKidneys.org

to find out what to do next and how to talk to your doctor about it.

Life-threatening kidney disease can strike anyone, young or old, and has many causes, but early intervention can make a difference. Lifestyle changes and a healthy diet can sometimes slow the progression of the disease when caught in the early stages, and sometimes can stop kidney failure.

The first step to preventing kidney failure is knowing your risk, then getting tested. Two simple tests, one blood and one urine, can let your doctor know how your kidneys are doing. It’s easy to get tested yet the results can save your life.

Learn More

For further information about NKF, visit

www.kidney.org

THAT\’S LIFE, by WE Cleary Sr.

CNB Consumer News : Spring Law Equipment Safety Tips

Spring is on its way and homeowners are eager to get outside and spruce up their yards. The

Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI)

, an international trade association representing outdoor power

equipment, small engine, utility vehicle, golf car and personal transport vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, reminds homeowners to keep safety in mind when working in their outdoor living spaces.

“Before you use a mower, trimmer, blower, power washer, chainsaw, pruner, portable generator or other piece of outdoor power equipment this season, it’s important to refresh yourself on handling and safety procedures,” said Kris Kiser, President and CEO of OPEI. “We’re all eager to get outside and enjoy the living landscape after a long winter, but you should take the time to do basic maintenance to ensure your equipment operates safely for the season and is ready to get the job done.”

Here are tips to help:

Read your owner’s manual.

Follow all guidelines for your outdoor power equipment and familiarize yourself with the controls. If you have lost your manual, look it up online (and save a copy on your computer for easy reference in the future).

Inspect equipment.

Check the air filter, oil level and the gasoline tank. Also check loose belts and missing or damaged parts. Replace any parts needed or take your equipment to a qualified service representative for servicing.

If you have gasoline-powered equipment and didn’t empty the tank before winter storage, drain the fuel now.

You should never leave fuel sitting in the gas tank of your equipment for more than 30 days. Untreated gasoline (without a fuel stabilizer) left in the system will deteriorate, which may cause starting or running problems or damage the fuel system.

Protect your power by only using E10 or less fuel in gasoline-powered outdoor power equipment.

With today’s higher ethanol content fuels, most manufacturers are recommending a fuel stabilizer be used, especially if you don’t use up all the gas purchased right away. Some gas stations may offer 15 percent ethanol (E15) gas or higher ethanol fuel blends, but any fuel containing more than 10 percent ethanol can damage–and is illegal to use in– small engine equipment not designed for it.

Store fuel safely.

Label your fuel can with the date of purchase and ethanol content of the fuel. Never put “old” gas in your outdoor power equipment. If you don’t know the date of purchase, dispose safely of the fuel in the can and buy fresh fuel. Always store fuel out of the reach of children or pets and in approved containers.

For battery-powered equipment, recharge only with the charger specified by the manufacturer

. A charger that is suitable for one type of battery pack may create a risk of fire when used with another battery pack. Follow all charging instructions and do not charge the battery pack or tool outside the temperature range specified in the instructions.

Store batteries safely.

When the battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other metal objects, like paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws or other small metal objects, that can make a connection from one terminal to another. Shorting the battery terminals together may cause burns or a fire.

Clean your equipment and store it in a dry place.

Remove any dirt, oil or grass. Clean equipment will run more efficiently and last longer. Never store your equipment in a place that is damp or wet.

To learn more, go to

www.opei.org

. For further information on safe fueling, go to

www.LookBeforeYouPump.com

Investors and companies urge states to adopt Transportation and Climate Initiative

BOSTON, MA

—A diverse group of investors, companies, trade associations, institutions and organizations across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are urging the region’s governors today to band together and create a clean transportation future that enables economic growth.

In letters sent to the participating leaders

, more than 100 signatories —including

Akamai, DSM, Eversource Energy, Novartis and State Street

— called the

Transportation and Climate Initiative

(TCI) a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernize and decarbonize our region’s transportation system” and emphasized how TCI will help to achieve several of their shared goals to:

Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation;

Invest in much-needed public transit, alternative transportation and road infrastructure;

Alleviate traffic congestion;

Make the region more economically competitive; and

Generate a revenue stream to fund these and future transportation improvements.

“Legislation like the Transportation and Climate Initiative is a critical piece in achieving the scale and rate of change needed to avoid the most serious impacts of climate change,“ said

James Goudreau, head of climate at Novartis.

“Novartis recognizes its responsibility to achieve impactful change and collaborate with others to accelerate changes beyond our sector. In building trust with society we aim to: hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, tackle complex global health challenges and be a responsible corporate citizen. This legislation supports our environmental sustainability strategy including our aspiration to become carbon neutral in our own operations by 2025, reduce our overall carbon footprint including supply chain by 50% by 2030, and to become plastic and water neutral by 2030.”

“With multiple facilities throughout the region and a commitment to emission reductions, Akamai supports the Transportation and Climate Initiative as an essential tool in modernizing our transportation system and reducing pollution,” said

Mike Mattera, director of corporate sustainability at Akamai

. “Our employees and customers see the impact of congestion on our roadways, limited public transit options and a need for more electric vehicle infrastructure. TCI is a bold proposal to tackle these challenges.”

This call comes as the 12 jurisdictions that are collaborating through TCI work to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining a market-based policy to create a clean, equitable and efficient transportation system for the region. The final MOU is expected in spring 2020.

All of the letters to each of the participating state leaders can be viewed

here

About Ceres

Ceres is a sustainability nonprofit organization working with the most influential investors and companies to build leadership and drive solutions throughout the economy. For more information, visit

www.ceres.org

and follow

@CeresNews

Philadelphia Bar Association Statement on ICE Arrests within Courthouses

PHILADELPHIA, PA –

In response to recent arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within Courthouses, Chancellor Hon. A. Michael Snyder (ret.) of the

Philadelphia Bar Association

, the nation’s oldest metropolitan Bar Association, issued the

following statement:

“The Philadelphia Bar Association has long had a position of being committed to the protection of individual liberties and to safeguarding the rights of all individuals. These basic rights include the right of due process to all, whether they are citizens or not.

“The entrance of agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement service into courthouses or other facilities where legal proceedings are held causes fear among litigants, witnesses, victims and family members. The arrest of immigrants by ICE Agents, without warrants, constitutes a violation of the rights of due process.

“Recently, nonuniformed agents of ICE were recorded performing such unlawful arrests in courthouses within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in blatant contravention of the internal policies of ICE. These arrests appear to have been aided or abetted by local courthouse personnel, who witnessed the arrest but who did nothing to protect the rights of those being detained, even when the involved individual was lawfully within the courthouse, accompanied by his attorney, to conclude a legal matter not related to his application for naturalization. When his attorney asked to see the arrest warrant, the ICE agent insisted first that the arrest warrant was in his vehicle; when asked to get the warrant, the agent then insisted that he had the right to execute a ‘warrantless administrative arrest.’

“Such actions are hauntingly reminiscent of those of a police state, calling to mind the actions of a secret or state police. Actions such as these are a clear violation of basic human rights. This is not the America created by the Framers of the Constitution.

“We call upon law enforcement agencies, local governments, and court administration to prevent the access of ICE agents into courthouses, and to act to protect the rights of individuals lawfully within those facilities from harassment or arrest by ICE agents, whether uniformed or not.”