WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump now is calling himself a “wartime president” as he tries to come to grips with the dual health and economic crises of the coronavirus pandemic. On Wednesday he said he’s invoking a federal provision that allows the government to marshal the private sector in response to the pandemic. Trump said he will employ the Defense Production Act “in case we need it” as the government bolsters resources for an expected surge in cases of the virus. The announcement came on a fast-moving day of developments. The Senate is taking up a financial aid package while the administration pushes forward its economic relief plan.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Treasury Department wants to start issuing direct payments to Americans by early next month as the centerpiece of a $1 trillion plan to stabilize the economy amid the coronavirus epidemic. In a memorandum issued Wednesday, Treasury is calling for two $250 billion cash infusions to individuals: A first set of checks issued starting April 6, with a second wave in mid-May. The amounts would depend on income and family size. The Treasury plan, which requires approval by Congress, also recommends $50 billion to stabilize the airlines, $150 billion to issue loan guarantees to other struggling sectors, and $300 billion to for small businesses.

NEW YORK (AP) — States that rely on tourism are capitulating, for now. The governor of Hawaii is asking visitors to stay away for at least a month. In Nevada, the governor shut down all casinos for at least 30 days.  Manufacturers are shutting down plants in Europe and in the United States in a bid to limit the spread of the coronavirus, or because the demand for goods is evaporating in the pandemic. On Wednesday, markets were halted for the fourth time this month as the S&P 500 fell 7%. Prior to that, shares were tumbling despite would could be $1 trillion in targeted U.S. government aid.

Local medical suppliers are also being affected by the coronavirus outbreak crisis. During this morning’s edition of Teleforum, Frank Sparks asked Dale Reckless from MRS Physical Therapy about some of the things that his facility is doing to help protect their patients and to protect their staff? Reckless says they begin by screening patients…

 

Reckless says he tells both patients and staff…if you’re sick, stay home:

 

…and Reckless says they also practice the CDC’s guidelines when it comes to personal hygiene and social distancing:

Aliquippa schools are on complete lockdown this afternoon…as a neighboring community steps in to help provide meals to students. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has more. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Many organizations have shut down to the coronavirus not just in Beaver County or Pennsylvania, but nationwide and worldwide as terms such as “wash your hands” and “social distancing” become as common as “hey” or “hello”. However, one organization in Beaver County hasn’t fully adopted that lingo or any reaction to the disease that prompted them, as the Shell Ethane Cracker Plant remains in operation.

This was announced as an issue at a press conference held outside the county courthouse late Wednesday morning. Heading the conference was Commissioner Chariman Dan Camp, and he made his thoughts on Shell clear:

 

Camp was joined by fellow commissioners Jack Manning and Tony Amadio, as well as fellow Beaver County state representatives Jim Marshall, Rob Matzie and Josh Kail. Camp called for Shell to follow orders from the CDC, stating that many workers are complaining about the current situation:

 

Rep. Marshall stated that the county has been calling the Governor’s office in Harrisburg and staying in touch with the state, in the hopes that more information can be known and that the state does what’s best for its citizens:

 

But the other two Commissioners seemed to be optimistic about Shell doing the right thing amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, with Commissioner Amadio saying “it’s just a matter of time.” Commissioner Manning said that he has confidence in Shell on making the right move for themselves and for the area:

 

Representative Kail did not speak at the Press Conference. The group jointly admitted that there was no timetable in regards to when–or if–Shell would directly respond to these suggestions by the CDC, state, or county. Stay tuned to Beaver County Radio as this story continues to develop.

The Center Township Supervisors want a meeting with Shell officials. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has more. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

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Officials with the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh say they are canceling all parish activities for the time being. That includes fish fry events as well as Stations of the Cross. The cancellations are effective immediately, with further guidance coming in a few weeks as the situation is reevaluated.

As of today, all state-owned liquor stores across Pennsylvania are closed. The Liquor Control Board made the decision following Governor Wolf’s declaration that all non-essential businesses be closed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Before the 9 p.m. deadline last night, long lines of people were seen entering and exiting most of the stores. Grocery stores that sell wine and beer are not being made to stop. The board says the closure will be revisited at the end of the month.

Allegheny County Health Department officials say they are expecting nearly half of the community to get the coronavirus over the next few months. During a town hall conference call Tuesday, Doctor Debora Bogen estimated that number at between 40-and-60-percent of the county population, with most of those infected being fine. Bogen’s concern is for those who have a compromised immune system, with this effort focusing on decreasing the rate of the spread to that demographic.