Briefs package for Sun 30328
With the needs of the community health system growing as cases of the coronavirus continue to be identified, three local business owners have decided to help the helpers.
Eric Shiever of the Butler Farm Market, Stu Surkosky of Care Chiropractic Center and Sam Haybarger of Pizza Joe's in Meridian all have decided to lend a hand to reduce the burden on Butler Memorial Hospital's staff.
The effort followed this week's announcement that the 21st annual Kids Day America, an event organized by Surkosky, was postponed until next year because of COVID-19.
“I reached out to those businesses that always support our Kids Day event and asked if they would help redirect our efforts to the critical matters at hand,” Surkosky said. “The first two calls I made were to these two community-oriented business owners and without hesitation they both agreed to pitch in.”
The group delivered boxes of supplies aimed at providing staff with healthy lunches in the critical care units, emergency department and the COVID unit.
“From my experience with working within our community for over 20 years,” Surkosky said, “I have been continually humbled by the generosity of the people and businesses of Butler for those in need.”
Leaders of the Salvation Army in Butler have announced they will be making some changes to hours and programs.The lunch and feeding program will continue from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in its back parking lot. Lunch will be served from the garage.The food pantry will also continue operating, but only on Thursdays starting April 9 and from the hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. No one will be allowed to enter the building, but they will be met at the door with their requested food.Anyone with questions may call the Salvation Army at 724-287-5532.
State Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-10th, and Joshua Kail, R-15th, held a Facebook conference to asking Gov. Tom Wolf to issue an executive order to use any available assets from the former Ellwood City Medical Center to help alleviate the burden of the coronavirus on other fully-functioning healthcare systems.Kail said the formal process of redirecting these supplies would need to come from Wolf. He said he was hopeful there will be resources like ventilators and personal protective equipment that could be used in other hospitals.“We're just trying to do all that we can to make sure that those on the front lines are as protected as possible and those that have this virus have the best shot at making it through,” Kail said.The Ellwood City hospital closed its emergency department in December 2019 and moths later the parent company shut down the hospital and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.The pair of lawmakers also answered live questions. One person asked whether lawmakers considered asking Wolf to reopen the hospital.Bernstine said owning a hospital is not something the government has done in the past, but he and other lawmakers have had those discussion. He said their main focus remains on the functioning hospitals as they are dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.“I operate under the win thing of what's important now,” Bernstine said. “Right now what's important is making sure people have these resources.”
Local Catholic parishes feeling the pinch from the inability to pass the collection plate are asking for help from parishioners.The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced that online donation links will be available on each parish's website. Donations for parishes, schools or various diocesan ministries also will be accepted on the diocese website, diopitt.org/help. Donations of one-time or recurring gifts can be made, or checks can be mailed to parishes directly.The Bishop's Coronavirus Emergency Fund will provide an extra layer of financial support to parishes that are struggling, according to a news release from the diocese. Funding will also support staffing necessary to support the mission of the church.
Allegheny Health Network has announced plans to make protective surgical masks available to all employees working in clinical areas at AHN locations.A news release said the decision was made based on the rising number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Western Pennsylvania as well as the experiences and evolving tactics of health care providers worldwide.The masks will be distributed to employees Saturday.
With Seneca Valley School District teachers and students at home, school counselor LaVarr Stephens-Howling created a musical challenge for Ryan Gloyer Middle School students and teachers.Because the month of March is the district's “Music in Our Schools” month, the district posted a video of its teachers joining in the virtual jam session, playing instruments including pianos, drums, guitars and a ukulele. The video can be found here: youtu.be/-lG6tMubTnY
The federal Department of Homeland Security has extended the deadline for Pennsylvanians to get their Real ID by one year, according to a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announcement Friday.The new deadline is October 2021 in response to COVID-19 and the national emergency declaration.All drivers license centers, where motorists get Real IDs that will allow them onto domestic flights and into federal buildings, are now closed and will not reopen before April 3 due to the pandemic. More information on the documents needed to secure a Real ID is available dmv.pa.gov.
