US hospitals hit with nurse staffing crisis amid COVID
By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH and MICHAEL KUNZELMAN Associated Press
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a nurse staffing crisis that is forcing many U.S. hospitals to pay top dollar to get the help they need to handle the crush of patients this summer. The problem, health leaders say, is twofold: Nurses are quitting or retiring, exhausted or demoralized by the crisis. And many are leaving for lucrative temporary jobs with traveling-nurse agencies that can pay $5,000 or more a week. The explosion in salaries has wreaked havoc on hospitals without deep enough pockets.

HARRISBURG – Rep. Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) released a statement regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement of a mask mandate for K-12 students and day-care centers:

 

“The decision to reverse course and institute a mask mandate is illogical. The virus has not affected the entirety of the Commonwealth in the same fashion. The one-size-fits-all approach continues to be a disaster for Pennsylvanians.

 

“It’s quite simple: these types of decisions should be made at the local level. Local leaders know the local conditions better than the Wolf administration.

 

“Less than a month ago, Gov. Wolf revealed he would leave the decision up to school districts. Today’s move signifies yet another instance of the hypocrisy on display by the Wolf administration.

 

“More recently, we were asked to come back to Harrisburg to pass a mask mandate. When we refused to do so, he decides to go around us. That goes against what the majority of residents voted for on May 18.

 

“While everyone has the right to wear a mask if they deem it necessary, this decision to force everyone in our schools to do so is counterproductive and a disservice to our children, parents and school officials. Our students should be able to learn in an environment that best suits them.

 

“Politics should not determine what is best for Pennsylvanians.”

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) made the following statement on the school and day care mask mandate issued by the Wolf administration today:

“After months of telling Pennsylvanians that mitigation orders are a thing of the past, the Wolf administration once again went back on its word and issued another ill-advised statewide mandate that deprives Pennsylvania communities of local control and community self-determination in public health decisions.

“Data clearly shows that this virus affects different areas of Pennsylvania in dissimilar ways, which is why local control that reflects on-the-ground realities is imperative. History shows that a one-sized, fits-all approach to public health causes more anxiety and frustration than decisions made at the local level with local input.
“What’s more is that local control has been working. School boards and local governments have been hearing from families and individuals and making the decisions that best fit their community needs and reflect their community values.

“Unfortunately, the administration has turned a deaf ear to the people of Pennsylvania who passed two constitutional amendments in May that sent a clear message that things need to work differently in this state. House Republicans stand ready to follow through on that and are already in the process of taking a serious look at potential legislative changes that address this administration’s misuse of current law.

“We share in the goal of promoting public health and ending this pandemic as quickly as possible. As we review the specifics of this mandate, all options remain on the table. We will continue to exercise the voice of the people in seeking local control in these decisions.”

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Supreme Court allows evictions to resume during pandemic
By MARK SHERMAN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is allowing evictions to resume across the United States, blocking the Biden administration from enforcing a temporary ban that was put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic. Roughly 3.5 million people in the United States said they faced eviction in the next two months, according to Census Bureau data from early August. The court says in an unsigned opinion Thursday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which reimposed the moratorium Aug. 3, lacked the authority to do so under federal law. The justices are rejecting the administration’s arguments in support of the CDC’s authority.

GOP leaders reject Wolf’s call for mask mandate in schools
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
Top Republican lawmakers have rejected Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s call for legislation mandating masks in schools, saying it should remain a local decision. Leaders of the GOP-controlled House and Senate said Thursday that many local officials had already made decisions about masking in schools. The Republican response came one day after Wolf asked GOP leaders to summon lawmakers to Harrisburg to pass legislation requiring schools and child care facilities to require masks in classrooms. The majority of districts are not requiring masks as students return to class.

(Photo Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services)

Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania departments of Education (PDE) and Health (DOH) are welcoming students across the commonwealth back to school, reminding parents to ensure their children’s immunizations are up to date and reminding schools about newly available public health safety initiatives.

“It is essential that everyone, especially children, are up-to-date on all recommended immunizations,” Acting Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson said. “Immunizations are a safe and effective way to protect yourself and your children from a number of serious, life-threatening diseases. Getting your immunizations can help protect those around you, including people with compromised immune systems who cannot get vaccinated. If you have a child aged 12 or older, make sure they get a COVID-19 vaccine before heading back to school.”

Immunizations are a necessary precaution needed to protect infants, children and teens from serious childhood diseases such as measles, mumps and chickenpox. Staying up to date with immunizations provides the best protection against disease and is essential to individual and population health. Vaccine-preventable diseases can be very dangerous, may require hospitalization, and can even result in death. A discussion with your doctor or your child’s doctor can help determine which immunizations are needed.

Parents and guardians should schedule immunization appointments as early as possible. In recent years, a change in state regulations altered the provisional period in which students could attend school without their vaccinations from eight months to five days. Children in grades K-12 need the following immunizations for attendance: tetanus, diphtheria, polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), hepatitis B, and chickenpox. Immunization requirements also extend to students of cyber and charter schools.

Children entering the seventh grade also need additional immunizations of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) and tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap). If a child does not have at least one dose of the above immunizations, he or she risks exclusion from school.

In addition, DOH and PDE continue to advise K-12 school entities to follow current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, to the greatest extent possible, when creating and implementing mitigation policies and practices. A summary of the CDC’s school guidance is available on PDE’s website.

“Students and educators are excited to return to classrooms and begin the new school year together. We’re excited for them and looking forward to a new academic year filled with opportunity, innovation, and growth,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Noe Ortega. “It’s vital for our schools to continue to keep the health, safety and well-being of their communities at the forefront. PDE joins the Pennsylvania Department of Health in continuing to recommend school communities follow current CDC guidance.”

Schools should also take advantage of the newly available public health safety initiatives. Last week, PDE and DOH announced two important initiatives to support K-12 schools during the 2021-22 school year. Schools outside of Philadelphia County can now sign up to receive free, weekly COVID-19 testing to identify and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, schools can now request COVID-19 vaccine providers to coordinate a vaccine clinic for the employees, contractors, volunteers, students, or students’ families of the school to add a layer of protection against COVID-19.

Acting Physician General Johnson and Education Secretary Ortega’s visit occurred on the first day of school for Mt. Lebanon School District. Universal masking is required for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, while indoors in the district.

“We know that in-person instruction is the strongest and most beneficial learning model for the large majority of our students. The district’s goal for the 2021-22 school year is to maximize in-person learning and minimize any disruptions caused by COVID outbreaks and community spread,” said Dr. Timothy J. Steinhauer, superintendent of the Mt. Lebanon School District. “We all share the responsibility to practice and model behaviors that have been shown to limit the spread of COVID-19 and encourage general health and wellness. We encourage families to remind students of the best practices in regard to hand washing, managing coughs and sneezes, monitoring personal health and staying home if not feeling well.”

PDE continues to support Local Education Agencies (LEAs) as they prepare for and navigate the upcoming school year. This includes through the latest chapter of PDE’s growing Roadmap for Education Leaders; Accelerated Learning through an Integrated System of Support. This toolkit includes information and resources to help address students’ learning loss and other issues caused by the pandemic.

Anyone looking to visit a local immunization clinic to receive vaccinations should call 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) to schedule an appointment. Pennsylvanians should have their vaccination records available when they call to make an appointment. A parent or legal guardian must accompany a child receiving immunizations.

For more information on immunizations, visit the Department of Health’s website at www.health.pa.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

(Mc Candless Twp. Pa.) Masks will again be mandatory in the North Allegheny School District. A judge approved a temporary restraining order against the school board over the district’s mask policy.

The suit was filed by a group of parents after the school board voted on August 18, 2021 to overturn the superintendent’s decision that was made on August 16, 2021 to require masks for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, this upcoming school year.

Those against this decision still have till Sept. 30 to provide reasoning and evidence that an optional mask policy should be in place.

(WASHINGTON D.C.)The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is extending the face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through January 18, 2022.

On January 31, TSA announced the initial face mask requirement with an expiration date of May 11. On April 30, TSA announced an extension to the face mask requirement through September 13, 2021.

Airline travelers should check with their airline on additional inflight restrictions prior to taking their trip. All commuters and travelers should check with the CDC website for additional guidance. Exemptions to the face mask requirement for travelers under the age of 2 years old and those with certain disabilities as well as civil penalty fines will also remain in place.

Travelers with questions regarding airport security screening procedures may send a message via Facebook or Twitter to @AskTSA for live assistance from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on weekdays or 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET on weekends/holidays. Individuals who require screening assistance due to a disability, medical condition or other special circumstance may contact TSA Cares at least 72 hours in advance of their flight by calling (855) 787-2227. For additional information about TSA procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of our “Stay Healthy. Stay Secure.” campaign, visit tsa.gov/coronavirus.

US regulators give full approval to Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
By LAURAN NEERGAARD and MATTHEW PERRONE Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. has given full approval to the COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer. The Food and Drug Administration’s decision on Monday may help lift public confidence in vaccinations as the nation battles the most contagious coronavirus mutant yet. The FDA has never before had so much evidence to judge a shot’s safety. More than 200 million doses already have been administered in the U.S. since emergency use began in December. The decision could push some vaccine holdouts toward getting the shots. And it could spur more vaccine mandates by companies, universities and local governments.

Extra COVID vaccine OK’d for those with weak immune systems
By LAURAN NEERGAARD and MATTHEW PERRONE Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators have authorized an extra dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in people with weakened immune systems to better protect them from the virus. The announcement Thursday by the Food and Drug Administration applies to millions of Americans who take immune-suppressing medicines because of organ transplants, cancer or other disorders. The decision does not apply to otherwise healthy individuals. Health authorities are closely monitoring if and when the general population will need a booster shot but say for now, the vaccines continue to be highly effective in most healthy people.