Editor's Picks category, Page 412
As coronavirus spreads, 5 important things to know right now
Dr. Amesh Adalja, a Pittsburgh-based infectious disease and critical care physician, fielded a range of questions from the Tribune-Review on Monday morning. Adalja is a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. He works on pandemic preparedness, emerging infectious diseases and hospital preparedness. What are the most...
Western Pa. patients line up for drive-by coronavirus testing
Patients concerned they might have been exposed to covid-19 were able to take advantage of drive-by testing at three locations Monday across Western Pennsylvania, and the testing is expected to be offered Tuesday, as well. Central Outreach Wellness Center, with locations on the North Shore, Aliquippa and Washington, had about...
All Starbucks in U.S., Canada shift to takeout-only model
All Starbucks locations in the U.S. and Canada will be moving to a “to go” only model as it works to help slow the spread of covid-19, the company announced Sunday night. Seating will be suspended in the coffee shops, but takeout orders will still be accepted through the Starbucks...
Pitt, Duquesne go online only for rest of semester; Duquesne closes dorms
The University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University announced Sunday that they have committed to online-only classes for the remainder of the semester amid the coronavirus pandemic. Duquesne also announced it is closing dorms for the rest of the semester and asked students living on campus to return home. “We have...
Fed slashes rate to near zero, eases lending rules
WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve took emergency action Sunday and slashed its benchmark interest rate by a full percentage point to nearly zero and announced it would purchase more Treasury securities to encourage lending to try to offset the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. The central bank said the effects...
Editorial: Pennsylvania’s handling of school closings gets ‘F’
This is not an editorial about coronavirus. It’s an editorial about questionable government decision-making that just happens to involve coronavirus. The thing is it could be about any big, important issue. Probably a few smaller, more mundane ones, too. For days, there was hemming and hawing about what would close...
Coronavirus in Pennsylvania: King of Prussia Mall closes; prison quarantine; 66 cases
One of the nation’s largest malls, in suburban Philadelphia, has closed amid a call from Pennsylvania’s governor for nonessential businesses to close to help stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic as the number of cases in the commonwealth increased to at least 66. The security office of the King...
Apple store in Shadyside among those nationwide closed over coronavirus fearsVideo
Would-be shoppers at the Apple store on Walnut Street in Shadyside were greeted by a closure notice, part of the tech giant’s decision to close all stores outside of China for two weeks in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Stores, for now, are scheduled to reopen March 27. “Apple has...
6 arrested during Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day celebrationsVideo
Six people were arrested Saturday in Pittsburgh’s South Side during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Public Safety spokesman Chris Togneri said in a news release that a public works employee was uninjured when he was struck by a car at East Carson and 17th streets by a restaurant employee who was...
Editorial: We will get through this coronavirus pandemic together
We are all in this together. The word “pandemic” is scary. It takes the already frightening “epidemic” and turns up the volume and shines a spotlight. The changes are pouring out faster than we can track, like water from a hose. It’s overwhelming. It’s confusing. It’s relentless. We understand. We...
A message to Trib readers from the CEO: We are prepared to serve you
To all of our readers: Trib Total Media is prepared to serve you through the challenging days and weeks ahead. We will provide the news you need to understand the coronavirus pandemic, keep you informed about local actions taken for public safety and report the story of our community pulling...
Trib offering free eTrib access to help keep readers better informed during pandemic
Trib Total Media is offering free access to its electronic editions in effort to help those in the community be better informed about the health crisis involving the coronavirus pandemic. “We understand as more of our readers practice social distancing or self-quarantine, they many not be able to purchase our...
Coronavirus didn’t stop St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in PittsburghVideo
The crowds were smaller than in previous years, but Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations lived on Saturday. Earlier this week, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade was canceled as a precautionary measure to prevent the potential spread of the coronavirus. As health experts recommend social distancing, Pittsburgh officials asked bar...
‘Ridiculous’ run on supermarkets leaves workers, shoppers shaking their heads
After working in supermarkets since the 1980s, Michael Moses, manager of Golden Dawn in New Kensington, never has seen anything like the influx of customers and buying sprees over the last several days. One of the few stores that still had toilet paper and paper towels left Saturday afternoon, Golden...
Amid coronavirus, Comcast makes Wi-Fi network free, expands unlimited data to all
With businesses and schools closed and thousands of residents now working and studying from home during the coronavirus outbreak, Comcast announced Saturday it will make its Xfinity Wi-Fi services free for everyone for the next 60 days. “During this extraordinary time, it is vital that as many Americans as possible...
Giant Eagle changes shopping hours over coronavirus pandemic
Giant Eagle temporarily is changing its store hours because of the coronavirus pandemic. Beginning Sunday, all Giant Eagle and Market District supermarkets will open at 7 a.m. and close at 10 p.m., seven days a week, the company announced Saturday. GetGo stores adjacent to supermarkets will operate on the same...
Q&A: An explanation of ‘community spread’
The spread of the novel coronavirus is reaching communities across the country and experts say the cases of covid-19 will spike exponentially. What does community spread mean, and how do you stop it? Here’s what you need to know: Q: What is community spread? A: Community spread means that someone...
Coronavirus-related shutdowns bringing U.S. economy to grinding halt
AUSTIN, Texas — It took 15 minutes for the coronavirus to wreck Shelley Hutchings’ carefully calculated financial plans. Hutchings, a bartender and performer, had lined up gigs in advance of the South by Southwest film, music and technology festival, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to Austin each year....
On eve of Disneyland closure, fun trumps virus fear
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Thousands flocked to Disneyland on Friday for glimpses of Mickey and Minnie, a ride on “It’s a Small World” and a last trip to the Galaxy’s Edge before a historically long closure because of the new coronavirus. It was a rare rainy day in Southern California, and...
ATI pauses contract talks with steelworkers union, cites coronavirus impact
Allegheny Technologies Inc. has paused contract talks with the United Steelworkers union, citing a lack of progress and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, a company spokeswoman said Friday. About 1,300 USW members have continued working at nine ATI locations, including the hot rolling mill and processing facility in Harrison,...
Western Pa. fish fries serve up precaution as coronavirus concern deepens
From fire halls to churches, organizers of the region’s extremely popular Lenten fish fries are employing a variety of precautions as concern over the spread of the coronavirus continues. “We are certainly stepping up our regular cleaning measures, which we take pretty seriously to begin with,” said Heather Dolhi, administrator...
PennDOT warns of month-long lane, shoulder restrictions on I-579 through Pittsburgh
Lane and shoulder restrictions on I-579 in Pittsburgh will begin Monday night as part of the construction of a “cap” over the highway linking Downtown to the Lower Hill District, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reported on Friday. Drivers should expect restrictions in both directions, but not simultaneously, from 8...
Late-night comics adjust to shows without an audienceVideo
Due to the new coronavirus, late-night comedians — Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Pete Buttigieg — are taking to the stage without the affirmation of adoring audiences. Wait a second. Pete Buttigieg? The former presidential candidate filled in for Jimmy Kimmel on Thursday night on ABC. It was prearranged, since Kimmel...
Unity OKs liquor license for Walmart alcohol sales; store remodeling planned
Unity is one step closer to being home to the second Walmart location in Pennsylvania to sell beer and wine. Township supervisors have approved a restaurant liquor license transfer for the Colony Lane store off Route 30, which now must be greenlighted by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Walmart hopes...
Disney World closes theme parks for rest of March as coronavirus concerns swell
ORLANDO, Fla. — Throughout its nearly 50-year history, Walt Disney World has closed briefly a handful of times from looming hurricanes and the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but late Thursday, the company announced it would shut down for nearly two weeks starting Sunday because of the coronavirus pandemic — an unprecedented...
