(AP Photo)
By EMMA H. TOBIN Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Health experts suggest stepping up protection against omicron with N95s, KN95s or similar masks. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated its guidance to recommend the kinds of masks used by health care workers, but also noted it’s important to pick a mask that fits well and that you’ll wear consistently. But be wary about where you buy your masks. Counterfeit KN95s are more common than real ones, and the fake ones won’t protect you as much. Purchase directly from verified mask stores to ensure quality control. And if you are worried about comfort, explore the different shapes and sizes to see what works best for you.

(Photo Courtesy of Audrey Johnson)
Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aldreonna  (Audrey) Johnson, a 2007 graduate of Aliquippa recently announced that her book: ‘CROWNED IN ROYALTY  is available on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble.
She graduated from Lincoln University in 2011 where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in sociology with an emphasis in early childhood education. When she graduated from Lincoln University in 2011 she moved to Charlotte, NC where she began attending The Empowerment Center Church with Senior Pastor Mercy Jones. This church lit a fire in her like never before. She said she was not only able to get closer to God, but was empowered to take her education further, and live a healthy life. She still attend’s virtual church. In 2014  she graduated from Grand Canyon University  where she earned a  master’s in elementary education. Currently, she  is pursuing  a doctorate degree at the same school in organizational leadership with emphasis on k-12. In her press release she said: “My passion  is educating, mentoring, and empowering youth.”

(File Photo)
Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 6:44 AM
(Ambridge, Pa.) The Ambridge Area School District is reporting on their Facebook Page that due to the number of positive COVID-19 cases at Ambridge Area High School and Middle School, they were advised by The Pennsylvania Department of Health to close both schools starting today, Wednesday, January 19, 2022. In person classes will resume Wednesday, January 26, 2022. During the closure, all extra-curricular activities for both schools will be cancelled. The Mistletoe Dance will be rescheduled for January 29, 2022.
Also, during the closure, all students will log into their classes using Microsoft Teams remotely to receive their instruction. Economy, Highland, and State Street Elementary Schools will remain open and operate on their normal schedules.

(Washington, D.C.) Starting Today, the federal government will send up to four COVID-19 tests to any American household that wants them.
The plan, announced by the White House last week, will send 500 million at-home COVID-19 test kits to Americans for free.
The website https://special.usps.com/testkits has launched, and tests can be ordered online now. Tests will usually ship within 7-12 days of ordering.
No identification, credit card or health insurance information is required; you just need to include your name and a street address.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that the website COVIDtests.gov is in the “beta phase right now,” and that the administration “can’t guarantee there won’t be a bug or two, but the best tech teams across the administration and the Postal Service are working hard to make this a success.”
If you want to track your request for the tests, you can add an email address to get updates on your tests
These tests will be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to your mailbox. Tests will typically ship within seven to 12 days of ordering.

Keystone State News Connection

January 19, 2022
Emily Scott

As the omicron variant continues to surge, people are spending a lot of time on digital screens for remote work or entertainment. Eye health experts warn overexposure to blue light from screens can take a toll on vision, in both children and adults.

According to one study, screen time among U.S. children has doubled during the pandemic to almost eight hours per day. Dr. Christina Master, co-chair of the School Health Committee at the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said her organization has guidelines for parents on managing children’s screen time.

“We’ll talk a lot in the pediatrician’s office about how we don’t want to have screens in the kids’ bedrooms,” she said. “Bedrooms should be for sleeping, and having screens there can be really tough. We do want to have some screen-free times – like meals; family meals together should be screen-free.”

Researchers still are studying the health implications of excessive blue-light exposure, including potential damage to retina cells in the eyes of kids and teens. Optometrists also have said it’s important for kids to get comprehensive eye exams, and not solely rely on routine vision checks done at school.

Optometrist Scott Edmonds, chief eye-care officer for United Healthcare Vision, said blue light also can lead to digital eye strain, which contributes to dry eyes, headaches and neck pain. Edmonds recommended following the “20-20-20” rule: After 20 minutes of work, people take 20 seconds to look at something 20 feet away.

“So, that break takes you away from the blue light, lets your pupil go to its normal size, lets your muscles in your eye relax, lets your focusing muscle relax,” he said. “All that, every 20 minutes, will really help you be more comfortable with screen time.”

Other recommendations include keeping screens at least 30 inches from eyes when possible, and using blue-light-blocking technology. Some phones may already have a “night mode” that uses this, or people can purchase specialized screen protectors that block blue light at the source.

(File Photo)
Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 5:55 AM
(Butler, Pa.) Pa State Police in Butler are reporting that they dispatched for reports of multiple shots fire behind the Rural King at the Clearview Mall in Butler Tuesday Evening around 6:00PM.
Troopers said via release that upon investigating it was discovered that 24-year-old Carlos Gonzalez Carril of Butler fired numerous rounds at 19-year-old Damian Blystone, 21-year-old Ryan Ehrman, and a known juvenile during an altercation in the Rural King Parking Lot
Troopers said the three victims sustained minor injuries and no other information about the shooting was released.

Court sets deadline to break stalemate on congressional map
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A statewide court is giving lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf a deadline of Jan. 30 to break a stalemate around redrawing Pennsylvania’s congressional districts to account for a decade of demographic shifts. The Commonwealth Court on Friday set the deadline for it to judge proposals that are submitted to it. That deadline is barely two weeks before candidates can start circulating petitions to get on primary election ballots. The primary election is May 17. The Commonwealth Court told parties in the case that they must submit a proposed map by 5 p.m. on Jan. 24. Pennsylvania is losing a congressional seat, dropping from 18 to 17.