Pa. teachers union criticizes guidance calling for elementary students to go back to classrooms
Updated Jan 08, 2021;
Pennsylvania’s largest teachers union is criticizing new guidance from Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration encouraging school districts to return elementary students to classrooms wherever possible.
Rich Askey, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, outlined a number of concerns about the new guidance for schools issued Thursday. He cited the high number of coronavirus cases around the commonwealth and a lack of state direction to ensuring the safety of students and staff.
“There is nothing Pennsylvania educators want more than to be back in the classroom with their students,” Askey said in a statement. “But rushing students back at the height of a pandemic with no clear plan to enforce health and safety guidelines will set back our efforts to achieve that goal.”
Jan 8, 2021
A Schuylkill County man is being confirmed as one of five people who died during the riot at the U.S. Capitol. Benjamin Phillips, of Ringtown, died from a medical emergency during the protests. Meanwhile, there are also about a dozen Pennsylvanians who were arrested during the riot. The charges they face include curfew violations as well as unlawful entry and weapons possession.
These two local residents attended Wednesday s rally in Washington DC and they both say they are not happy with how the way the day ended. I don t condone anything that was done violently, one protester said. Another said,
Pa. reports 306 new coronavirus deaths, raising December total to nearly 5,600
Updated Dec 31, 2020;
There have been more deaths tied to COVID-19 in Pennsylvania in December than any month by far, and state officials reported more than 300 deaths Thursday for the second straight day.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 306 new coronavirus deaths Thursday, raising the statewide total to 15,978 fatalities since the pandemic began. The state reported 319 deaths on Wednesday.
The number of coronavirus deaths has risen sharply in recent weeks. In the month of December alone, 5,595 deaths tied to COVID-19 have been reported by the state. The second highest month, May, had less than 3,300 deaths.
Here & Now s Tonya Mosley speaks with Pennsylvania Health Secretary
Dr. Rachel Levine about coronavirus vaccine distribution in her state amid concerns that across the U.S., vaccine shots are not getting out quickly enough.
This segment aired on December 30, 2020.
WATCH LIVE: Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine To Give Update On Commonwealth’s COVID Response
CBS Philadelphia 12/28/2020 Syndicated Local – CBS Philly
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine will hold a press briefing today to give an update on COVID-19 in the commonwealth. The health secretary will also provide an update on the Early Warning Monitoring Dashboard.
Dr. Levine will encourage Pennsylvanians to stay vigilant and continue taking precautions to keep themselves safe, including social distancing and wearing masks.
You can watch the press conference on CBSN Philly beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the player above.
WHAT: Secretary of Health will provide update on COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, discuss Early Warning Monitoring Dashboard.