BACKYARD BROADCASTING WEEKEND NEWS APRIL 4, 2020

CLINTON COUNTY REPORTS FIRST CASE OF THE VIRUS
The PA department of Health confirmed that Clinton County has reported one case of the coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the commonwealth to 8,420 in 63 counties now.  There are 1404 new cases as of yesterday at noon, Lycoming has reported 8 total cases in the county. There have been 102 deaths from COVID-19 in Pennsylvania.

PENNSYLVANIANS ENCOURAGED TO WEAR MASKS IN PUBLIC
Yesterday Governor Wolf asked all Pennsylvania to participate in the mitigation of COVID-19,  and  to wear a cloth or homemade mask when outside of the home.. Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine added that the N95 masks should be reserved for health care workers. Wolf said wearing a mask helps cut down the possibility of infecting others.   According to Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine, a homemade mask isn’t fool proof as far as keeping you from catching the virus but it is one more tool or line of defense against community spread.  According to a press release, Geisinger Medical center yesterday updated their policy requiring all employees, patients and visitors to wear a mask while inside within Geisinger buildings.  The hospitals will provide the appropriate level of mask at their facilities. According to the news conference, masking is expected to be recommended by the CDC shortly. Read the PA Department of Health guidance here.

EVICTIONS IN PA SUSPENDED, AG GOING FURTHER TO HELP
The PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro said that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered courts closed to eviction proceedings due to the COVID-19 state of emergency, but that he is working with landlords and mortgage lenders urging them to extend the time  to proceed with evictions for a period of time beyond what the Supreme Court and Department of Housing and Urban Development requires,  so those affected have time to recover.  According to WNEP, if you have been wrongfully evicted or foreclosed upon, you can file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General.

SPAY AND NEUTERING REQUIRED FOR PET ADOPTIONS IS TEMPORARILY WAIVED
The Department of Agriculture has suspended the requirement to spay or neuter pets before adoption , in order to conserve personal protective equipment during the pandemic.   The requirement is waived for now, with the contingency that pet owners will have 120 days from the time of adopting to spay or neuter those pets.  If you’re looking to adopt a dog or cat, the shelters are authorized to continue adopting pets out in Pennsylvania. The Lycoming County SPCA has cancelled their 2020 Paws Run and hope to hold it in 2021.  Those who have already registered can either receive a refund, or donate their entry fee to support the non-profit.
GEISINGER:  PLEASE SCHEDULE DONATION DROP-OFF
Officials in charge of the supply chain for Geisinger medical center have requested that the public wishing to make charitable donations to not drop them off at the hospital, but to schedule a time for the drop off of your gift either through the website of by calling 800-739-6882.  According to a Geisinger press release, individuals and groups are asked to hold off on making food donations since they are unable to accept foods prepared in a home kitchen. They say those wishing to help are asked instead to make a monetary donation.

Sports
NBA
Layoffs  are underway within the Utah Jazz. Including non-basketball personnel, and some employees are taking salary reductions. The Jazz are one of approximately 80 companies within the Larry H. Miller Group.

NFL
The NFL  chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, this week told the NFL that in order for the season to start on time like they would like, certain prerequisites like widespread testing for the coronavirus must be met for that to happen.

The state of Florida has levied three formal charges against Antonio Brown for an alleged January assault in South Florida against  a delivery truck driver outside of Brown’s home. He faces felony burglary conveyance, misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal mischief charges, according to a Broward County court document.  Brown turned himself in on Jan. 23 two days after the incident.

NHL

The New York Rangers are investigating how a video chat with prospect K’Andre Miller and fans was “hijacked” by a racial attack directed toward the African American player. The 20 year old participated in a Zoom chat that was limited to 500 participants on Friday afternoon. With about 150 fans streaming the chat, the comments section for questions was overrun with the slurs.  ESPN says reports of the incident was forwarded to the FBI.

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