Official: Biden moving vaccine eligibility date to April 19
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to announce that he’s shaving about two weeks off his May 1 deadline for states to make all adults eligible for coronavirus vaccines. A White House official says Biden will make the announcement later Tuesday. With states gradually expanding eligibility beyond such priority groups as seniors and essential, front-line workers, the president plans to announce that every adult in the U.S. will be eligible to be vaccinated by April 19. That’s about two weeks earlier than Biden’s original May 1 deadline. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss Biden’s plans before the formal announcement.

Harrisburg, PA – Starting today Pennsylvanians in Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination plan are now eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment to become protected against the virus. Phase 1B eligible Pennsylvanians include:

• People in congregate settings not otherwise specified as long-term care facilities, and persons receiving home and community-based services
• U.S. Postal Service workers
• Manufacturing workers
• Clergy and other essential support for houses of worship
• Public transit workers
• Education workers

Teachers and school staff for pre-K through 12 were vaccinated under a special initiative that concluded April 2 and that resulted in more than 112,500 vaccinations. Vaccinations continue for child care workers who are also part of that special initiative. All other education workers, including those in higher education, are now eligible for vaccination as part of 1B.  Last week, Acting Secretary Alison Beam also announced that targeted frontline industries were eligible March 31.

“Our revised vaccination eligibility plan means more Pennsylvanians now have access to the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine as vaccine supply increases and providers and counties establish easier access to appointments,” Gov. Wolf said.

The remainder of the accelerated plan includes eligibility as follows:

• April 12 all residents in Phase 1C will be eligible to start scheduling vaccination appointments.
• April 19, all residents will be eligible to start scheduling vaccination appointments.

Pennsylvania’s vaccination plan can be found here.

Those eligible for an appointment can access the provider map available here. People without internet access can contact the Health Hotline by calling 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258).

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission continues to encourage consumers and small businesses who are struggling financially to #CallUtilitiesNow to discuss the options available to address any past-due balances, apply for available assistance programs, and review payment plan options – all focused on keeping households and businesses connected to vital utility services.

 

In a special statement, PUC Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille emphasized that a direct conversation between customer and utility is the best “first step” for any Pennsylvania household or business to #KeepUtilitiesOn, whether your financial difficulties are related to the COVID pandemic or other circumstances.

 

Utilities understand the assistance programs available in their communities – including utility-run Customer Assistance Programs (CAP) for income-qualified consumers, national programs like LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), and various hardship funds operated by utilities and non-profit organizations to #KeepUtilitiesOn. Utilities also can help enroll consumers in assistance programs, guide them to other available resources and discuss new payment plan options to address overdue balances and help consumers move forward.

 

 

At-Risk Consumers in Pennsylvania

 

According to the most recent utility reports submitted to the PUC, there are just over 890,000 residential utility accounts at-risk of termination – and while the total number of accounts has gradually declined since a peak in October 2020, when they reached almost 1.1 million, the total dollar amount owed by at-risk households has continued to grow, now topping $856 million.

 

The PUC noted that millions of dollars in financial assistance is currently available from utilities and various supplemental programs, and the Commission encouraged every eligible individual and household to make use of those funds to address their balances and #KeepUtilitiesOn.

 

The households of greatest concern include:

• Utility customers experiencing financial difficulty for the first time and unaware of the resources available or the process for requesting assistance.
• Households that did not qualify for assistance in the past, because of higher incomes, but may now be eligible because of the financial impact of the pandemic.
• CAP customers who have not renewed their assistance plan enrollment for the new year – risking removal from those programs.
• Households who qualify for LIHEAP financial assistance but have not applied for seasonal or supplemental aid.
• Individuals who may qualify for “rent and utility assistance” available through counties across Pennsylvania.

 

#CallUtilitiesNow is the best way to identify what help may be available to you, your family and your business.  Also, be sure to call all your utilities: electric, natural gas, water/wastewater and telecommunication because each may have different programs or resources available.

 

Payment Plans & Flexible Income Verification

 

On March 11, 2021, the PUC required all Commission-regulated electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, telecommunications, and steam utilities to modify their existing collection policies to provide additional payment plan options for residential and small business customers.

 

Residential customers qualify for payment arrangements to gradually pay down their previous balances over an extended period – with a minimum length of one to five years, depending on their income level (lower income levels qualify for longer payment periods) – and small business customers qualify for payment arrangements with a minimum length of 18 months.

Additionally, utilities and the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services may continue to use flexible means for income verification and business status information – such as over-the-phone or via electronic mail, for the purpose of qualifying customers for payment arrangements and/or universal service programs.
 

About the PUC

 

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

 

Gov. Wolf: Successful Teacher and School Staff Vaccination Initiative is Completed Ahead of Schedule

Kingston, PA – After vaccinating more than 112,500 teachers and school staff in only about three weeks, Governor Tom Wolf visited Luzerne County today to announce the special vaccination initiative is a success and was completed ahead of schedule. The accomplishment is an important step to help more students and teachers safely return to classrooms across the state.

“This is a great success, and I am so proud of everyone who made it happen,” said Gov. Wolf. “We know that teachers and students want to be back in the classroom where students can learn, laugh and grow with their friends. Completing our special vaccination initiative is a big milestone for Pennsylvania, one that will better protect schools, families and communities.

“Vaccines are the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to this pandemic, and with the completion of this special initiative, we are one step closer to the end of that tunnel. That is something for everyone in the commonwealth to celebrate.”

The governor held a press conference at Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18 and was joined by its executive director, Dr. Tony Grieco, Education Secretary Noe Ortega, PSEA President Rich Askey, Northwest Area Junior-Senior High School teacher Vito Malacari and other legislators and stakeholders.

“As Executive Director of one of the 28 intermediate units across Pennsylvania that hosted vaccination clinics for school personnel, I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to Governor Wolf and the COVID-19 Vaccine Joint Task Force for providing a plan for Pennsylvania’s school personnel to receive a vaccine,” said Grieco.

“Today is a turning point in the lives of our schools and our students here in Pennsylvania, and PSEA’s members are so excited about what lies ahead,” Askey said. “Some schools are reopening their doors after many months of remote instruction, while many more are expanding their schedules to bring students back into the classroom more days of the week.

“This is happening thanks to everyone who took decisive action one month ago to get vaccines out to those school employees who want them. You have helped ensure a safer environment for in-person instruction in our schools — protecting the health of educators, support professionals, students, and their families.”

Shortly after the federal government approved the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine for use, Gov. Wolf and the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force announced on March 3 a special initiative to provide a voluntary opportunity for Pre-K to 12 educators and school staff to be vaccinated. The Wolf Administration partnered with the state’s 28 intermediate units to rapidly establish vaccine clinics and conduct outreach to teachers and staff through school districts to schedule appointments.

“In less than one month, communities across Pennsylvania collaborated around the clock to vaccinate thousands of teachers and school staff; a truly remarkable and heroic effort,” said Acting Secretary of Education Noe Ortega. “I am very grateful to Governor Wolf and the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force for creating this special initiative, and proud of our Intermediate Units, school leaders, state agency partners, the National Guard, and AMI Expeditionary Healthcare for their extraordinary work to coordinate this opportunity. We are now closer than ever to a safe, full return to in-person teaching and learning.”

The Pennsylvania National Guard and AMI Expeditionary Healthcare swiftly coordinated hundreds of heath care professionals at 28 vaccine clinics across the state to put the shots into arms. Many of the vaccine clinics were held on evenings and weekends so students could continue learning during the school day without interruption.

This week, the Wolf Administration announced several other steps to help create local conditions for schools to return students to classrooms. On Monday, Gov. Wolf announced K to 12 schools will receive nearly $5 billion in federal funds to support classroom learning and equitably expand opportunity for students who need it most. Part of the funding will address learning loss and the social, emotional and academic needs of underrepresented students.

On Wednesday, the departments of Health and Education updated recommendations on social distancing in schools to provide for three feet in many instances, which aligns with new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, and the handling of COVID-19 cases in schools to reduce the number of days for school closures. The recommendations take effect April 5.

Fully vaccinated can travel again, says new CDC guidance
By CANDICE CHOI Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Add travel to the activities vaccinated Americans can enjoy again. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance Friday to say fully vaccinated people can travel within the U.S. without getting a COVID-19 test or going into quarantine. The agency previously cautioned against unnecessary travel even for vaccinated people. The agency says vaccinated people should still wear a mask and socially distance when traveling. For international travel, vaccinated people should still get a COVID-19 test before flying to the U.S. and be tested soon after returning. Unvaccinated people are still advised to avoid unnecessary travel.

(Washington, DC) The CDC and doctors are advising people to celebrate Easter safely to limit COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

The CDC released some guidance for Sunday, which includes celebrating with people you don’t live with virtually or outside while following social distancing. The CDC also said those who are fully vaccinated may gather together without masks.

They suggests eating your Easter meal only with those you live with, attending religious services virtually or holding an egg hunt outside with masks and 6 feet of distance.

The guidelines state if you are fully vaccinated, you can gather indoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing masks. Also, if you are fully vaccinated, you can gather indoors with un-vaccinated people from one other household without masks, unless any of those people or anyone they live with is high risk.

(Harrisburg, PA.) The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s shut-off ban is over, The ban expired at midnight last night and utility companies are saying anyone behind on their bills should call them and either sign up for an assistance program or set up a payment plan.

According to the PUC, 890,000 accounts statewide are in danger of termination, and regulated utilities are owed a combined $856 million.

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health (DOH) in conjunction with the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force today announced the start of the special initiative to vaccinate targeted industry workers and to accelerate the vaccination timetable for those in Phases 1B, 1C and 2. All Pennsylvanians will be eligible to schedule vaccination appointments beginning April 19.

“The vaccine landscape continues to evolve as the federal government is increasing allocations to more retail pharmacy chains across the country,” ​Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam said. “To ensure that vaccine continues to get to people efficiently and equitably, Pennsylvania is adapting its plan to allow workers in targeted industries to access any of the three vaccines available at providers throughout the state, and to accelerate our eligibility for remaining phases of the state’s vaccination plan.

“Pennsylvania’s vaccine providers have dramatically stepped up the pace of vaccinations to an average of 83,000 per day, moving the keystone state higher and higher in the rankings with other states. As we complete Phase 1A vaccinations, it’s time to open eligibility to more Pennsylvanians so providers can continue to fill appointments and efficiently, effectively and equitably vaccinate more people every day.”

Pennsylvania will begin the following accelerated phased rollout:

• March 31 workers in the four targeted industries that Gov. Wolf and the Task Force announced on March 12:
  • Law enforcement, which includes police, sheriffs and deputies, constables, corrections officers and staff, as well as probation and parole staff.
  • Firefighters, including career and volunteer firefighters.
  • Grocery Store workers, including all workers in supermarkets and grocery stores.
  • Food and Agriculture workers, including all food processing company employees, including meat, poultry, and dairy processing, fresh fruit and vegetable packing operations, food manufacturing, all farmworkers, farm operators, and farm managers, including at urban agriculture operations.

• April 5 all residents in Phase 1B will be eligible to start scheduling vaccination appointments.
• April 12 all residents in Phase 1C will be eligible to start scheduling vaccination appointments.
• April 19, all residents will be eligible to start scheduling vaccination appointments.

“It is important to remember that eligibility does not guarantee an immediate vaccination appointment,” Beam said. “Vaccine providers are ready and eager to get a shot in the arm of every person who wants one while we continue to aggressively advocate for more vaccine.”

COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force members discussed the benefits of the accelerated plan.

“President Biden has asked us to make every adult eligible for vaccination with the vaccine he is providing,” said Sen. Art Haywood. “We can do it, we can make the change.  We can get more vaccine to Southeast PA and across the commonwealth and target vaccine, so no one is left out.”

“Due to the successful implementation of the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force’s revised strategic plan, along with an increasing supply of vaccine doses from the federal government and the tremendous work of our provider network, Pennsylvania is now in a position to pursue an aggressive timeline to ensure any Pennsylvanians who wants to be vaccinated is eligible to do so by April 19,” said Sen. Ryan Aument. “As we expand eligibility, we must not forget about our seniors and our commitment to prioritize them and others in Phase 1A, as well as our frontline workers such as law enforcement and first responders in Phase 1B.”

“We can meet President Biden ‘s request with the amount of vaccines he is providing,” Rep. Bridget Malloy Kosierowski said. “Pennsylvania has done the work to make this a reality. I have said time and time again that this will get better, and it is. Our dedicated providers, who are on the ground every day, Governor Wolf’s administration, and our task force have collaboratively worked together in prioritizing the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians.”

“Today is a day of hope and optimism,” said Rep. Tim O’Neal. “Earlier this month, we announced plans to prioritize our essential workers and first responders by offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to them in the coming weeks. We have now done that today. In addition, we have set a timeline so that anyone who wants the vaccine will get able to begin scheduling their appointment at the latest by April 19. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter and brighter every day.”

Residents should continue to use the Department of Health’s Vaccine Provider Map to find a vaccine provider nearest them. The department will continue to update the map as the federal government increases the number of pharmacy chains receiving vaccine through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Partnership.

People without internet access can contact the Health Hotline by calling 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258).

Pennsylvania in talks to expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
With Pennsylvania still vaccinating its most vulnerable population, Gov. Tom Wolf says that his administration is discussing when to make the COVID-19 shot more widely available and that he expects it to happen relatively quickly. Providers under the state’s jurisdiction are supposed to schedule all currently eligible people who request a vaccine by Wednesday. Wolf said Tuesday that providers are on track to meet that goal, adding that Pennsylvania will soon be at a point where anyone who wants a vaccine will be able to get one. The state’s coronavirus case numbers, however, are going the wrong way. New coronavirus infections have spiked more than 50% in the last two weeks.

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today announced that Pennsylvania is expected to receive $4.9 billion in federal relief funds to help Pre-K to 12 schools return students to classroom learning and equitably expand opportunity for students who need it most.

The funding, and the state’s nearly complete special initiative to provide teachers, school staff and contractors the opportunity to get the voluntary, single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, supports the governor’s goal to help more schools to reopen and for additional students and teachers to safety return to the classroom.

“All schools have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and I commend school communities for rising to the challenge to combat the toll it has taken,” said Gov. Wolf. “This extra funding is critical to help schools meet the unique needs of educating students at this time while keeping school buildings safe when students return to the classroom.”

The funding is provided by the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund passed by Congress and signed by President Biden

“Our school communities need these additional resources to invest in instructional materials, equipment, facilities, transportation and more, and we are pleased to make these funds available to them,” said Acting Secretary Noe Ortega. “These funds will provide more assistance to school communities as we continue to navigate the pandemic.”

At least 90 percent, or $4.5 billion, of the funds will flow to traditional public school districts and charter schools. Each entity will receive an amount proportional to the federal Title I-A funds received in 2020 under the Every Student Succeeds Act. The school districts and charter schools must use at least 20 percent of this money to address learning loss and the social, emotional, and academic needs of underrepresented students, including students from low-income families, students with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care.

Schools can use the rest of the funding for a wide range of activities, including food service; professional training; technology purchases; sanitization and cleaning supplies; summer and after-school programs; and mental health supports.

A list of ESSER III fund allocations is available on PDE’s website.

Funds must be used by September 2024. School districts and charter schools must apply to PDE to obtain their allocated funds. The application process will be posted on the PDE website in the coming days. Under the American Rescue Act of 2021, PDE will use the remaining $500 million of ESSER funding for interventions that address learning loss, support summer enrichment and comprehensive afterschool programs, and assist schools that do not receive a direct ESSER allocation such as career and technical schools and intermediate units.