(New Brighton, Pa.) New Brighton Borough announced yesterday via mass release through e-mail and social  media that “Effective immediately, the New Brighton Borough Municipal Building and all municipal facilities will be closed to the public for in-person contact as a precaution as the impacts of the COVID-19 virus continues to widen.

In addition to the Municipal Building, the public closure affects the police department, fire department, public works department, and the wastewater treatment plant. All departments will remain fully staffed and continue full operations with additional measures to safeguard against the coronavirus to ensure uninterrupted delivery of public services.

All customers and residents are encouraged to utilize remote methods of transacting business. New Brighton Borough can provide all customer services online at www.NewBrightonPA.org, by calling the Municipal Building at (724) 846-1870, or through the mail. Customers are requested to use these methods of conducting business for the foreseeable future. Additionally, payments and other correspondence can still be placed in the drop box by the front door of the Municipal Building.”

LONDON (AP) — Johnson & Johnson released data showing that a booster dose to its one-shot coronavirus vaccine provides a strong immune response months after people receive a first dose. The study’s results haven’t yet been peer-reviewed. J&J said in a statement Tuesday that it ran two early studies in people previously given its vaccine and found that a second dose produced an increased antibody response in adults from age 18 to 55.

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Allegheny County Council “no” on the proposed mask mandate for indoor and outdoor gatherings on Tuesday.

Allegheny County Council members Bethany Hallam and Liv Bennett had proposed legislation that would require masks at all indoor gatherings and any outdoor gathering that has 250 people or more. Those who do not comply would have faced a fine of up to $100.

Typically newly introduced legislation goes to committee after the first reading, but Tuesday night, a member made the motion to bypass that process and waive the second reading. Ten members voted in favor of that and thus a vote was taken.

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) The City of Beaver Falls announced via their Facebook Page that the Beaver Falls City Building will be closed to the public starting today, September 15, 2021. the post states that
“Out of an abundance of caution, the Beaver Falls City Building will be closed to the public effective September 15, 2021 at 8:00 am until further notice to protect the public and employees from the increasing numbers of reported COVID cases.
We ask that you call either the city manager (Charles Jones – 724.847.2808 ext 215) or respective departments for further assistance.
Take care and be safe.”

Auditor: Wolf’s business shutdown waiver program ‘flawed’
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
A Wolf administration program that allowed Pennsylvania businesses to seek waivers to remain open in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic was deeply flawed. That’s according to the state’s chief fiscal watchdog. Republican Auditor General Timothy DeFoor. He said Tuesday that the program used criteria that shifted constantly and gave inconsistent and subject answers to business owners struggling to stay afloat. The administration of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf disagreed with some of the audit’s findings.

(Photo Courtesy of Mc Donald’s)

Next week, participating McDonald’s restaurants across the tri-state area are saying thank you to healthcare workers for their fortitude throughout the lengthy pandemic.

Starting Sunday, September 19 and continuing through Saturday, September 25, healthcare workers can enjoy a free small Hot or Ice Coffee with any $1 purchase from McDonald’s global mobile app. The special offer is available through the McDonald’s app at more than 200 restaurants in PA, WV, OH and MD.

This special thank you to local medical professionals is part of McDonald’s Community Champions program, an ongoing initiative to demonstrate gratitude for community leaders who provide selfless service to local neighborhoods. The McDonald’s Community Champions program recognizes a different community group each quarter. Other honorees this year include teachers, first responders and law enforcement officials.

“Our restaurants have always been a place for the community to come together and share everyday feel-good moments with family, friends and neighbors,” said McDonald’s Owner/Operator Dan Delligatti. “We are honored to show healthcare workers how much they are appreciated.”

The McDonald’s Community Champions program is a local extension of “Thank You Meal” program offered at McDonald’s restaurants across the country last spring. That initiative served more than 10 million meals to workers serving in frontline positions during the pandemic.

 

HARRISBURG – The Republican leaders of the Pennsylvania General Assembly—President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Centre/Mifflin/Juniata/Huntingdon), Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland), and House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin)—wrote a letter joined by Senate Health and Human Services Chairman Michele Brooks (R-Crawford/Erie/Mercer/Warren) and House Health Committee Chairman Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest) to Gov. Tom Wolf and Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam seeking more specific COVID-19 data from the Wolf administration.

“We are writing to request from you receipt of more specific COVID-19 data daily updates, to include not only new COVID-19 case numbers, number of patients hospitalized and percentage recovered as specified on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard; but specific data that includes breakout information for cases regarding individuals age 18 and under. It is also important that we are able to review metrics that include case counts for individuals who are unvaccinated as well as vaccinated or partially vaccinated,” the letter reads in part.

“It remains important for all of us to be fully aware of the current situation and future outlook; and all Pennsylvanians, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, deserve to know how their respective group is performing.”

Today, the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will increase the range of civil penalties that may be imposed on individuals who violate the federal mask mandate at airports, on commercial aircraft, and in various modes of surface transportation, including passenger railroads, intercity bus services, and other public transportation.  The federal mask mandate for transportation, which was implemented by TSA on February 2, 2021, will remain in effect until January 18, 2022.   

The new range of penalties, which take effect Friday, September 10, 2021, will be $500-$1000 for first offenders and $1000-$3000 for second offenders. 

“Wearing a mask protects the traveling public and all of the personnel who make the travel experience safe, secure, and comfortable,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas.  “We will continue to enforce the mask mandate as long as necessary to protect public health and safety.”

“We appreciate the majority of travelers each day who voluntarily follow the requirement, but find this action necessary to maximize the protections for those who use and work within the transportation system, and to contain COVID-19,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “By doubling the range of penalties, we seek to reinforce the importance of voluntary adherence.”  

TSA will provide updated signage at airports regarding these increased civil penalties.  For more information about the federal face mask requirement, visit the TSA Coronavirus webpage.

These federal mask mandate-related civil penalties are separate from the civil penalties the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues for individuals who engage in unruly and unsafe behavior.

Loophole allows some Pennsylvania students to avoid masking
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM, MARK SCOLFORO and MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A loophole in Pennsylvania’s new mask mandate for schools is allowing untold numbers of students to go to class without having to cover their faces. The state health secretary’s order requiring masks to be worn inside K-12 school and child care facilities took effect Tuesday. It includes an exemption for students who claim it would cause or worsen a medical condition. But the masking order does not require a student to produce a doctor’s note or other supporting medical documentation. Now some school boards that oppose the statewide mandate are allowing students to come to class unmasked with just a parent’s signature.

COVID-19 boosters are coming but who will get them and when?
By LAURAN NEERGAARD AP Medical Writer
COVID-19 booster shots may be coming for at least some Americans but there’s still important science to be worked out about who really needs them and when. The Biden administration’s initial plan was to offer Pfizer or Moderna boosters starting Sept. 20. While real-world data shows the vaccines used in the U.S. remain strongly protective against severe disease and death, their ability to prevent milder infection is dropping for reasons that are not fully understood. Scientific advisers will publicly debate Pfizer’s evidence on Sept. 17. Officials say regulators want more data about Moderna’s boosters.