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COVID-19

Especially this year, use Easter to restore hope

Especially this year, use Easter to restore hope A slow evolution toward the way Easter was celebrated around the world pre-pandemic is occurring this weekend as Christians here and beyond commemorate Jesus Christ’s victory over death but also try to abide by recommended COVID-19 safety measures. Last Easter was a virtual lockdown with most holiday church services and other related activities canceled. For people of the Jewish faith, who also are living under the constraints that the coronavirus has wrought, this weekend brings to a close their annual Passover celebration, which ...

Easter revival

A day to celebrate resurrection and new life, this Easter some local churches are celebrating their own new life and new beginnings. Since the start of COVID-19’s rampage in the U.S. last March, many businesses and organizations have been forced to adapt and even close — some ...

Mainline a driving force behind local vaccine clinics

A local independent pharmacy chain has been playing a big role in the administration of coronavirus vaccines. “We started looking into this last May when the state started up its program. We thought it was our duty to be at the forefront,” said John Pastorek, director of pharmacy for Mainline Pharmacy. “It is the Mainline culture to step in and take care of our communities. It is part of our mission to our patients and community in general,” said Steve DeCriscio, Mainline chief financial officer. “This is what we are all about — the communities we live in and our ...

Vaccine appointment availability hit-or-miss

Getting a COVID-19 vaccination appointment at one of the vaccination sites provided by area pharmacies seems to be a hit-or-miss proposition at this time, based on periodic examinations of those pharmacy websites. Appointment slots open, remain open for a while, then fill up, leaving no slots available until pharmacies receive their next vaccine shipments. Several days ago, several sites had appointments available, then several hours later, they didn’t — but the next day, some of them did. Early Thursday evening, Mainline Pharmacy of Ebensburg had appointments available for ...

State expanding vaccine eligibility

HARRISBURG — Every adult in Pennsylvania will qualify for a COVID-19 vaccine starting April 19, and emergency responders, grocery workers and people in other high-risk groups are able to schedule their shots immediately, Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration announced Wednesday in a dramatic expansion of the statewide rollout. Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam said the new timeline is possible because Pennsylvania’s vaccine supply is growing and getting more predictable, and providers across the state report they are ready for a fresh influx of people seeking protection against the ...

Big shot

Frank Servello of Altoona receives a COVID-19 vaccine from nursing student Kilee Willett of Bellwood on Tuesday morning during the first of Mainline Pharmacy’s weekly mass vaccination clinics at the Jaffa Shrine Center. The pharmacy was set to distribute 1,400 vaccinations during the first ...