Stocks rise sharply on hopes of progress in battling virus
By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are jumping after some of the world’s hardest-hit areas offered sparks of hope that the worst of the coronavirus outbreak may be on the horizon. U.S. stocks climbed 4.5% in Monday morning trading, and the Dow was flirting with a rise of 1,000 points, following up on gains nearly as big  in Europe and Asia. In another sign that investors are feeling more optimistic about the economy’s path, the yield on the 10-year Treasury was headed for its first gain in four days. Oil fell after a meeting between Russia and OPEC aimed at defusing a price war was pushed back a few days.

Pope Francis earmarks initial $750,000 aid fund
The Associated Press undefined

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has earmarked an initial $750,000 for a new fund for hospitals, schools, nursing homes and other structures run by the Catholic Church in poor countries to use to battle the coronavirus pandemic.
Francis on Monday urged church entities around the world to contribute to the fund being run by the Pontifical Mission Societies, which is the pope’s official outreach arm to 1,110 mostly poor dioceses in Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Amazon region.
The fund is the latest example of papal charity amid the pandemic. The Vatican in late March purchased 30 ventilators to be distributed to hard-hit Italian hospitals.
And Francis’ chief alms-giver hand-delivered milk, yogurt and other products from the papal gardens outside Rome to two communities of nuns in Rome who were put in quarantine after several of them tested positive.
Francis also sent special rosaries to medical personnel at Rome’s Gemelli hospital who have been caring for COVID-19 patients.

Senator Pam Iovino Proposes Bipartisan Legislation to Support School Contract Workers, Help Secure Healthcare & Paychecks 

Saturday, Senator Pam Iovino (D – Allegheny & Washington) announced a bipartisan legislative proposal to provide consistent protections for all school contractors, many of whom want to work but are unable to due to the physical closure of schools. The recently passed Pandemic of 2020 section of the Public School Code included an amendment that allows school entities to renegotiate contracts, specifically for school bus transportation services, with the goal of ensuring contracted personnel and fixed costs are maintained during closure. Senator Iovino’s proposed legislation would extend this protection to all other contract service providers, including but not limited to food service, custodial, and security contracts.

“In light of the disruptions and uncertainty caused by the necessary closure of Pennsylvania schools, we must extend basic protections to all school contract workers – protections that have already been granted to school bus drivers,” said Senator Iovino. “Creating consistent protections for all contractors will help workers secure continued healthcare coverage and income, which are critical to these workers and their families weathering this unprecedented crisis.”

Senator Iovino’s proposed legislation would be an amendment to the recently passed Pandemic of 2020 section of the Public School Code (Act 13 of 2020, formerly Senate Bill 751).

In a press release Senator Cam Bartolotta  and state Sen. Joe Pittman  proposed a grant program that would assist Volunteer Fire and EMS Companies. The bill would establish a “special one-time grant program” to help these companies survive the financial crisis brought on by the coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic.

“COVID-19 has severely restricted many of the ways that our volunteer first responders traditionally raise money, like boot drives and chicken barbecues,” Bartolotta said.

“The needs of these organizations are even greater now as they respond to the statewide public health emergency this virus has caused,” she said. “This program will ensure the men and women on the front lines in the battle against the coronavirus will continue to have the training, supplies and equipment they need to keep our communities — and themselves — safe.”

Under the bill, one-time grants would be provided to fire and EMS companies matching the ones that were previously approved by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the state fire commissioner for the 2019-20 fiscal year.

The bill would also allow fire and EMS companies that might have not applied for the original grant to do so. Funding for the $30 million grant program would come from federal stimulus money allocated to the state, the senators said.

(New Galilee, Pa.)  In a unique way to have a church service the Rev. Andy Russell from  the New New Galilee Church of the Nazarene came up with the idea to have Palm Sunday mass at his church Driv-in style. Russell originally planned on using a small output FM transmitter but when it was continually delayed he reached out to Beaver County Radio owner Mark Peterson for advise and Peterson and Russell then teamed up to bring a light to Russell’s idea. Russell’s Pam Sunday Service was Broadcast live around the world on 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, 99.3 FM and also on beavercountyradio.com. The Broadcast went so well that the pair are teaming up again this week for Easter Sunday Service at 1:00 pm on all platforms of Beaver County Radio. You can see pictures of the service yesterday by following the link below:

Palm Sunday Church Service Conducted with “Drive In” Style.

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Harrisburg, PA – Today, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin announced the creation of the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Call to Action Portal, which will mobilize manufacturers that are producing COVID-19-related products and supplies or can pivot to producing COVID-19-related supplies.

“As we work to protect public health and safety and create a robust supply chain, we know that there are manufacturers across the commonwealth who are willing and able to help,” said Sec. Davin. “This portal will help facilitate the connections businesses need to get critical COVID-19-related products to market or retrofit their operations to begin production of those products.”

The portal was developed through a joint effort between DCED, the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association, the Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, IRC Network, Life Sciences PA, Pennsylvania Life Sciences Greenhouses, and the PA Chamber of Business and Industry.

Last week, Governor Wolf announced the creation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Critical Medical Supplies Portal to source the most needed supplies for medical providers, emergency responders, and health care professionals. The Pennsylvania Manufacturing Call to Action Portal builds on those efforts to help manufacturers produce COVID-19-related supplies or retool their operations to begin creation of those supplies.

The Pennsylvania Manufacturing Call to Action Portal will help facilitate business connections for expansion of supply chain capacity and manufacturing innovation. The goal is to match manufacturers and distributors to fill specific supply chain needs to meet increasing demands for medical supplies and related products, assist manufacturers that have workforce needs or gaps and aid them in identifying skilled workers, and identify manufacturers that can pivot or innovate to fulfill the demand for medical supplies and related products.

Pennsylvania’s manufacturers, distributors, and other suppliers should visit the portal to report their critical supply chain capabilities, needs, or workforce gaps or innovative opportunities, which will help DCED staff identify opportunities and solutions.

Questions can be directed to RA-DCEDPAMCTAP@pa.gov.

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, Pennsylvanians should follow www.governor.pa.gov and www.doh.pa.gov.

Gov. Wolf, Religious Leaders Encourage Alternate Forms of Religious Gatherings
Stay-at-home order updated to reflect need to limit in-person religious gatherings 

Harrisburg, PA – Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and as significant religious holidays approach in the coming weeks, Governor Tom Wolf and religious leaders from across the commonwealth are encouraging alternative forms of faith gatherings.

Gov. Wolf and Department of Health Sec. Dr. Rachel Levine updated the stay-at-home order guidance to reflect the need for further guidance for religious gatherings.

Updated guidance notes that while nothing in the stay-at-home order should affect the operation of religious institutions, “Religious leaders are encouraged to find alternatives to in-person gatherings and to avoid endangering their congregants. Individuals should not gather in religious buildings or homes for services or celebrations until the stay-at-home order is lifted.”

“I know that we’re nearing several holidays, including major religious holidays like Easter and Passover,” Gov. Wolf said. “I am encouraging religious leaders hosting a holiday celebration to consider an alternative that does not bring people together in-person.

“As a person of faith, I understand how important it is to worship, and that congregating, whether for a service or seder dinner, can be at the very core of one’s faith. But I also understand how important it is to help neighbors, and the best way to help our neighbors right now is not by congregating. It’s by staying at home.”

Pennsylvania religious leaders joined Wolf in urging fellow leaders to embrace alternate forms of worship.

“Christians the world over are preparing to enter the holiest week of the year,” said Most Rev. Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia. “This year, Holy Week comes at a time when the coronavirus has abruptly altered our lives. For the common good, and for the preservation of each other’s health, it is essential for all Pennsylvanians to heed the governor’s call not to gather in large groups. We must embrace our common responsibility to one another and slow the spread of this virus. We are blessed with the gifts of technology and social media, which enable us to experience the richness of these Holy Days virtually.”

“As we come into this season of renewal and celebration of new life where Christians typically come together in greater numbers than usual, we grieve that the COVID-19 crisis is preventing our ability to do so physically,” said Rev. Sandra L. Strauss, Director of Advocacy & Ecumenical Outreach, Pennsylvania Council of Churches. “The most loving thing we can do for our neighbors is to keep them safe, so we continue to encourage our congregations to explore and engage in creative ways of gathering and sharing, such as live streaming, Zoom, and connecting via social media.”

“In more than 2000 years the church has faced and survived many adversities, including two world wars, The Spanish Flu and The Great Plague,” said Pastor Franky Rodriguez, CDA Community Church, Philadelphia. “The church is not going to go away because we the people of God are the church! In times of trouble the Church gets closer, not further apart. This is not a physical closeness, it’s a spiritual one. Although we will not be in the same physical location, we have the technology to share the word of God. This Easter the Church is still united like every other Easter, with thanksgiving, prayer and supplication for the inhabitants of the world. So, let’s be responsible and be together, apart.”

“This is an excellent time for all of us to remember that the church is not a building, but the people who make up the congregation,” said Senior Pastor Mark Kelly Tyler, Ph.D., Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Philadelphia. “We must do everything within our power to save the lives of those we’ve been called to shepherd. If that means livestreaming the worship services and holding Bible Study in video chat rooms, so be it. I fully support Governor Wolf’s effort to keep Pennsylvanians safe and Mother Bethel AME Church is joining in the fight to slow the spread and flatten the curve.”

“At our Passover seders this year, there will be many answers to the age-old question, ‘Why is this night different from all other nights?,’” said Rabbi Jeffrey Astrakhan, Temple Beth Israel in York. “Under no circumstance is gathering at the home of another the right thing to do this year. Stay home. Use online meeting technology and remember, as the Passover Haggadah teaches us, ‘Next year, may all be free!’”

“Judaism teaches us the highest value is to save a life, not only our own but how our behavior impacts others’ lives, their freedom and their health,” said Rabbi Aaron Bisno at Rodef Shalom in Pittsburgh. “It is in everyone’s best interests to practice social distancing, so we are finding new ways to gather, support and celebrate one another.  We have an obligation, a religious mandate, to recognize the responsibility we have to the wider community. Our preference to be together does not override our responsibility to stay apart until the threat has passed.”

“Paradoxically, the most difficult aspect of social distancing for the Jewish community is simultaneously why it’s so important,” said Rabbi Daniel Swartz, leader of Temple Hesed in Scranton. “Judaism is practiced communally because we are all responsible to keep each other safe and healthy. Indeed, we’re commanded to violate the Sabbath in order to save even a single life. How much more so must we practice social distancing, even in our worship, when doing so protects not only our own life, but lives throughout the community.  For me, believing in one God means we’re all in this together.”

“During times of bad weather, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) used to order the muezzin (person who calls to prayer) to change the call from ‘come to prayer’ to ‘pray in your home,’” said Imam Idris Abdul-Zahir, Resident Imam of Masjidullah. “This was because the Prophet was concerned of the harm his followers could encounter traveling to the masjid for prayer under potentially dangerous conditions. During this time, I encourage every religious leader to consider this unseen harm, the Covid-19 virus, in their locale and recommend actions that will keep their congregations out of harm’s way. For it is written in the Quran that the saving of one life is as if you’ve saved all humanity.”

Pennsylvania has more than 10,000 cases and 136 deaths since the first case was announced on March 6. Gov. Wolf has put in place measured, thoughtful mitigation efforts to save lives and stop the spread, include a statewide stay-at-home order.

“I know that Pennsylvanians are strong, resilient and care about their families, friends, neighbors and community, including their religious communities,” Gov. Wolf said. “We must all continue to do our part to stop the spread of this deadly virus.”

You can access Gov. Wolf’s remarks about religious gatherings and other recent mitigation efforts here or on Facebook here.

View the updated stay-at-home order guidance as a PDF here or on Scribd.

Photos and story by Mark Peterson.

(New Galilee, PA) They say necessity is the mother of invention and that was proven on Sunday in New Galilee.  With strict orders to avoid large public gatherings already in force due to the Covid-19 virus, Pastor Andy Russell from the New Galilee Church of The Nazarene began to get creative.  Russell didn’t want to skip the Palm Sunday service.   More importantly, he also wanted to preach a message, and have it feel like his congregation was gathering together,  but how? Then, like a blast from the past when parents put their kids in sleeping bags and loaded up the station wagon with snacks for a late night double feature at the drive in, Pastor Russell got his inspiration.  If people stayed in their cars, they would likely be more than the government suggested six feet apart, and not compromise their own safety amidst the struggles to thwart the Corona Virus.  In no time, arrangements had been made to broadcast Sunday’s sermon over 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA and 99.3 F.M. and church members were invited to pull into the church parking lots, as well as an adjacent lot along Washington Avenue in New Galilee and tune in.  Just like the drive in, when the sound came through a speaker in the car, everyone could easily hear the service broadcast through the radio, and visually catch the “action” while gazing through the windshield. Though in this circumstance, it wasn’t a large white screen adorned with footage of movie stars they were watching, but rather a popular home grown pastor preaching from a small hillside near the church building.

By all accounts, the event was a huge success.  Careful preparation was done ahead of time to ensure all the technical aspects of doing an on site live broadcast were taken care of and extra speakers were set up in the makeshift outdoor sanctuary as well.  Troy Miller played the guitar and sang a few worship and praise songs before and afterwards that, at times, had cars in the parking lots honking their horns with affirmation, which in this case would be akin to applause.  At one point in time during Andy Russell’s message, a couple of  firecrackers were set off at a neighborhood house.  Given the timing of the blasts during Russell’s stirring oratory,  the enthusiasm exhibited by local New Galilee residents over their special church service and the positive reception of the event in general, one can easily conclude that those were nothing more than protocol for an outdoor drive in church congregation “Amen” response.

Things went so well, as a matter of fact, that this drive in is turning into a double feature.  Almost immediately following Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Russell began receiving texts and well wishes from many people who had listened to the radio broadcast locally in Beaver County, and from from others who live farther away and had listened to the Beaver County Radio live online audio stream.  Buoyed by the positive support, and the fact that he seemed like a man on a mission, Russell finalized arrangements to host this coming week’s Easter service at the New Galilee Church of the Nazarene in the same fashion. Broadcast and service time will again be from 1 to 2 P.M.

The New Galilee Church Of The Nazarene is located at 505 Washington Avenue in New Galilee.  For more information, call the church at (724) 200-0132.

Tiger at NYC’s Bronx Zoo tests positive for coronavirus
By JENNIFER PELTZ Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — A tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York City has tested positive for the new coronavirus. It’s believed to be the first infection in an animal in the U.S. and the first known in a tiger anywhere. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Sunday that the 4-year-old Malayan tiger, and six other tigers and lions that have also fallen ill, are believed to have been infected by a zoo employee. The zoo says all the animals are expected to recover.