US revokes emergency use of malaria drugs vs. coronavirus
By MATTHEW PERRONE AP Health Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators are revoking emergency authorization for malaria drugs promoted by President Donald Trump for treating COVID-19. The Food and Drug Administration said Monday that the drugs hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are unlikely to be effective in treating the coronavirus. Citing reports of heart complications, the FDA says the drugs pose a greater risk to patients than any potential benefits. The decades-old drugs are also prescribed for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. They can cause heart rhythm problems, severely low blood pressure and muscle or nerve damage. The move means that shipments of the drugs obtained by the federal government will no longer be distributed to state and local health authorities for use against the coronavirus.

Pennsylvania Launches New Policies to Increase Diversity Among State Contractors 

Harrisburg, PA – Continuing his commitment to small businesses (SBs) and small diverse businesses (SBDs), Governor Tom Wolf announced new procurement changes to improve opportunities for minority-, women-, LGBT-, veteran- and disabled-owned businesses ­– to compete for state government contracts and succeed in the commonwealth’s economy.

“This is another important step forward in the ambitious project my administration launched five years ago to open doors for small and diverse businesses in state contracting and to make the process more inclusive and diverse,” said Governor Wolf. “We have made progress, but there is more work to do. We cannot allow some people to be shut out of a chance to get a state contract. Our economy and our communities work best when everyone has a fair chance of success.”

Today’s actions are the direct result of the governor’s Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities in Commonwealth Procurement and in Pennsylvania’s Economy executive order signed in 2015. The order created the Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities (BDISBO) within the Department of General Services, the Governor’s Advisory Council on Diversity Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities and led to the 2018 Statewide Disparity Study which examined disparities in the commonwealth’s contracting system and made recommendations for improvement.

“These policy and program changes will allow us to increase opportunities for small diverse businesses in state contracts,” said Department of General Services Secretary Curt Topper. “Historically, the state contracting process has been uneven, inconsistent and unfair in providing opportunities for SBs and SDBs to do business with the commonwealth.”

There are three new changes taking effect.

First, each competitive state procurement will use  goal setting for SDB participation on each solicitation with the intent to achieve a 26.3 percent state contract spending with SDBs .The goals are determined using an analysis and calculation of the percentage of DGS verified SDBs available to do the specific work as determined by the Disparity Study and other factors. Goal setting replaces the previous scoring process used to evaluate proposals and starts today for construction solicitations over $300,000 and on August 17, 2020 for goods and services solicitations over $250,000.

Second, the department has set a goal of 4.6 percent of state contract spend to veteran-owned businesses through the new Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) program as recommended by the Commonwealth Disparity Study. To increase the availability of VBEs, the commonwealth will now consider a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprises as both an SDB firm and a VBE firm. This consideration is granted providing the applicant holds approved third-party certification from the Veterans Affairs Vets First Verification Program and eliminates the need to go through an additional third-party SDB certification process. The department will consider contract-specific goals for VBE participation on each individual solicitation over the dollar thresholds identified for SDB goal setting, and the VBE contract specific goals will be calculated based upon availability of VBE firms.

Third, the administration has tasked all state agencies under the governor’s jurisdiction to have at least 15 percent of their contract spending go to eligible, state-certified small businesses through the Small Business Reserve (SBR) Program. The program helps all DGS-certified small businesses to compete as prime contractors on state contracting opportunities. Each agency has an executive-level employee responsible for ensuring the goal is achieved.

“We are committed to achieving the commonwealth’s goal to do 26 percent of our business with small diverse businesses has truly been a group effort,” said Deputy Secretary for Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities Kerry Kirkland. “Through the hard work of the Bureau of Diversity Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities staff along with the Advisory council and our legislative supports, we are positioning our small and small diverse businesses for success and sustainability in our economy.”

Kirkland praised the hard work of the BDISBO staff and involvement of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Inclusion and Small Businesses Opportunities has led to the implementation of key policy and program changes such as: using the best value contracting method to increase SDB participation in contracting opportunities; creating the Agency liaison Program to ensure that SB/SDB contracting opportunities are part of all annual commonwealth agency purchasing plans; and creating the Mentor-Protégé Program that pairs prime contractors and/or suppliers with DGS-verified SDBs to provide developmental assistance and help them successfully solicit and perform on commonwealth contracting opportunities.

Visit the Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion, and Small Business Opportunity for more detailed information on the new policies and programs as well as the Wolf Administration’s efforts to diversity state contracting and opportunities for small and diverse businesses.

Wolf Administration Launches New Online Training
for Mandatory Reporting of Elder Abuse
to Mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Harrisburg, PA — In response to and in recognition of Governor Wolf’s Executive Order on Vulnerable Populations, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging has created a free, online Mandatory Abuse Reporting training module to help aging and human services providers recognize and report elder abuse.

The training is being publicly launched on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), which is commemorated on June 15 each year. WEAAD is an opportunity for people and organizations to take action to protect older adults by raising awareness about elder abuse, why it occurs, and what can be done to stop it. Learn more about WEAAD activities and resources here.

“The Wolf Administration is committed to empowering individuals to take action to end elder abuse on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and every day,” said Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Robert Torres. “We’re marking this important day by launching a new training tool to empower those who work with older adults to recognize the signs of elder abuse, understand their reporting responsibilities, and take action.”

The training will be available, but not limited, to providers, employees and administrators of long-term care facilities; personal care homes, home health care agencies; adult day centers, domiciliary care residences and collaborative partners. Although the training is intended for mandated reporters, anyone who is interested in protecting older adults from abuse can take the training. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) leadership provided input and feedback on the module’s content and design.

“Mandated reporters play a critical role in keeping vulnerable Pennsylvanians safe, and we must equip them with the tools they need to carry out this duty effectively,” said DHS Secretary Teresa Miller. “I hope this training will be a valuable resource that empowers mandated reporters around Pennsylvania to speak up when necessary and keep they people they serve safe from abuse and neglect.”

The module was developed to reach a broad audience from entry-level to seasoned professionals. The training takes about 30 minutes to complete and includes knowledge checks throughout to ensure that participants understand the information. A printable certificate recognizing the successful completion of the training module is available. This training module will also help to ensure that facilities are compliant with licensure requirements.

The training is available on the PDA Learning Management System (LMS).  Anyone with an existing account may access the Mandatory Abuse Reporting Training Course by clicking here to login. Individuals who do not have an established PDA LMS training account, and are not associated with a AAA can click here to request an account.

The following are relevant facts about elder abuse and its investigation in Pennsylvania, as reported by the Department of Aging’s Protective Services Office: 

• The total number of reports of alleged abuse received by the AAAs during fiscal year 2018 -19 was 49,909, a 12% increase from fiscal year 2017-18.
• The most frequent alleged/reported type of abuse was caregiver neglect (29.7%) followed by exploitation (27.1%). The most frequent substantiated types of abuse were neglect (self-neglect, 38.2% and caregiver neglect, 21.3%) followed by physical abuse (19.2%).
• The age group most reported to be in need of protective services during fiscal year 2018-19 was between the ages of 71 and 80 (32.4%). The majority were Caucasian (79.7%) and female (64%). Many alleged victims resided in their own homes (45%), were widowed (37%), or were living alone (42%). The data also reveals that 42.5% of substantiated perpetrators were between the ages of 30-59 and 54% were female. Of all designated perpetrators, 13% were identified as family members and 7% were identified as a female caretaker.

Sec. Torres also noted that the Older Adult Protective Services Program continues to protect older adults through the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone suspecting elder abuse should call the statewide reporting hotline at 1-800-490-8505, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s dedicated Coronavirus webpage here for the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19. Learn more about the various programs offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging here.

Department of Health Announces Additional Partnerships to Assist with COVID-19 Response

Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today announced a partnership with General Healthcare Resources to assist with the COVID-19 response.

“We are so pleased to have this level of collaboration and assistance from General Healthcare Resources,” Dr. Levine said. “COVID-19 is a particularly challenging situation for congregate settings, particularly our long-term care facilities. These teams are assisting us in our response in the hardest-hit areas as we work to protect the public health and safety of Pennsylvanians.

General Healthcare Resources will be deploying onsite assessment teams to assist with infection control practices, staffing and PPE training needs. The team will also assist with specimen collection and urgent staffing needs. The Department of Health will be funding the 41 individuals that will be deployed for one year.

“We’re honored to be supporting this program and are committed to providing the state of Pennsylvania with the professional, qualified staff they need to meet this challenge within the senior community,” said Laura Magner, President and COO of General Healthcare Resources. “If you’re an experienced RN, LPN, Medical Assistant, CNA, EMT or other healthcare professional interested in joining this effort, please contact us at 800-879-4471.”

In addition to General Healthcare Resource’s support, the department has also been working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Since May 20, HHS assessment and action teams have been providing onsite support and training to long-term care facilities in the commonwealth.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Diarrhea
• Chills
• Repeating shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying.

As of 12:00 a.m., June 14, there were 78,798 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide in 67 counties and 6,215­ confirmed deaths. Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 and older. More data is available here.

For the latest information for individuals, families, businesses and schools, visit “Responding to COVID-19” on pa.gov.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out for a life-sustaining reason, please wear a mask.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials
• Map with the number of COVID-19 cases

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.

Floridians mark Trump’s birthday with flotillas, caravans
Associated Press undefined
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Trump supporters in Florida were celebrating the president’s birthday Sunday with caravans, flotillas and parades throughout his adopted homestate. In Palm Beach County _ home of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort _ separate caravans of trucks, motorcycles and boats were riding along highways and the intercoastal waterway at various times in the morning. The organizers were part of the president’s Florida re-election effort. An anti-Trump caravan also was riding through the county on Sunday to protest racism and call for police reforms. Pro-Trump flotillas also were planned for Fort Lauderdale, Miami, the Florida Keys, Tampa, Pensacola and Jacksonville.

Perils of police at high speeds spur calls for more reform
By MICHAEL TARM AP Legal Affairs Writer
CHICAGO (AP) — Crashes involving Chicago police vehicles that killed retired teacher Verona Gunn last year and a young mother this month highlight the dangers of police speeding to crime scenes or during car chases. Gunn’s son says it’s a police reform issue that’s not getting the same attention as officers’ use of excessive force. Audio obtained by The Associated Press of police radio transmissions reveal that speeding officers were repeatedly told by a dispatcher to slow down before the crash that killed 84-year-old Verona Gunn. The Bureau of Justice Statistics says more than 7,000 people were killed in police-related crashes in the U.S. from 1996 to 2015.

Mayor criticizes group ‘protecting’ Columbus statue
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A group of people gathered around a statue of Christopher Columbus in south Philadelphia over the weekend, saying they intended to protect it from vandals amid the recent protests but drawing criticism from the city’s mayor. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that about 100 people clustered around the statue of the explorer at Marconi Plaza on Saturday, some with guns and baseball bats. Thomas Easterday said the goal was “protecting the statue from these rioters who want to take it down.” On Sunday, Mayor Jim Kenney said on Twitter “All vigilantism is inappropriate, and these individuals only bring more danger to themselves and the city.”

Story and Photo by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Center Twp., Pa.) A single family frame home  was destroyed by fire on  Main Street in Center Township Friday night Firefighters were alerted at 7 :55 p.m..  Fire Chief Bill Brucker said an external source caused the fire that made its way into the home., the family’s border collie alerted the husband and wife who made it out of the structure safely.   A firefighter went into the burning structure and rescued the dog., and  efforts to save the dog  were  applied.  The residents took the border collie  to a veterinary clinic, where it passed away Chief Brucker said

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 336 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 78,798

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 14, that there are 336 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 78,798.

There are 6,215 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 4 new deaths.

Locally in Beaver County we do not have any new cases and remain at 611. 592 Cases Confirmed and 19 probable. 4781 people have tested negative and the county stands at 75 deaths.

In the 3 Nursing homes in the county that are reporting positive cases there are 391 positive cases. 42 employees have tested positive, and the death toll remains at 82.