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COVID-19

Loretto inmate sues over outbreak conditions

An inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution at Loretto is pleading with a federal judge to address an outbreak of COVID-19 in the prison, a situation he says is so severe that “the infected numbers climb as the plaintiff writes this complaint.” The complaint, requesting injunctive relief, was filed by Terence Crawley, 38, who cited the Eighth Amendment prohibition against “cruel and unusual punishment” in asking for the federal court to intervene. Crawley, who is incarcerated in Loretto’s Special Housing Unit, was joined by several other inmates seeking help to ...

Wolf toughens COVID-19 limits

With hospitalizations and daily deaths at record highs Thursday, the Wolf administration tightened restrictions again, this time through the holidays, with a prohibition on indoor dining and drinking; closure for gyms, theaters, museums, casinos and bowling alleys; a 50% capacity limit at other in-person businesses; a maximum 10 at indoor gatherings and 50 outdoors and no extracurricular activities at schools. “We all hoped it would not come to this,” Wolf said during a virtual news conference, acknowledging that the restrictions have been hard on businesses and “crushing” on ...

US panel endorses Pfizer vaccine

WASHINGTON — A U.S. government advisory panel endorsed widespread use of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine Thursday, putting the country just one step away from launching an epic vaccination campaign against the outbreak that has killed close to 300,000 Americans. Shots could begin within days, depending on how quickly the Food and Drug Administration signs off, as expected, on the expert committee’s recommendation. “This is a light at the end of the long tunnel of this pandemic,” declared Dr. Sally Goza, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. In a 17-4 vote with one ...

Convention center’s weekend event draws ire

Local pool and spa dealers aren’t happy about plans for the Hot Tub & Spa Blowout to be held this weekend at the Blair County Convention Center. The sale will be held from noon to 8 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The event is being presented by Signature Productions of North Chesterfield, Va., according to Tara Saltzman, convention center spokeswoman. Mark Glova, co-owner of Holiday Pools and Spas in Duncansville is one of the unhappy local dealers. “They are renting space to a company from outside the area. They will be having a giant ...

Sheetz deep cleaning Beale Ave. store

Sheetz confirmed Thursday that an employee at its Beale Avenue store in Altoona has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee last worked at the store Thursday morning, Nick Ruffner, public relations manager at Sheetz, said. “Our top priority is the health and wellness of our customers and employees,” Ruffner said, and because of the positive test, the store location was closed and is being professionally deep cleaned, sanitized and disinfected before it will reopen. The gas pumps also are being sanitized and cleaned, he said. Ruffner said all employees will be fully paid ...

Congress must ease burden

Many U.S. hospitals are under siege because of COVID-19. Both in personnel and other resources, they need all the help they can get. Earlier this year, when most people thought the epidemic would peak by this fall, Congress acted wisely by including in the CARES Act a provision suspending part of a 2011 law. That statute reduces Medicare payments to hospitals by 2%, through something called the Medicare “sequester.” Whether that ever was wise is questionable. It certainly makes no sense now — but the CARES Act suspension expires on Dec. 31. U.S. Reps. David McKinley, R-W.Va., ...