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VIDEO RELEASE: Governor Hogan Tours Baltimore Convention Center to Review COVID-19 Field Hospital Plans

Also Distributes Boxed Lunches at Greenmount Recreation Center, One of More Than 500 Meal Distribution Sites Across The State
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today visited Baltimore City to review ongoing efforts by the Maryland National Guard, the Maryland State Department of Education, the City of Baltimore, and the state’s health systems to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The governor was joined by Bernard C. “Jack” Young, Baltimore City Mayor; Maj. Gen. Timothy Gowen, Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard; Ellington Churchill, Secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services; and Dennis Schrader, Maryland Department of Health’s Chief Operating Officer and Medicaid Director.
Field Hospital at Baltimore Convention Center
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As part of the state’s hospital surge plan, Governor Hogan has ordered the establishment of a field hospital and alternate care site at the Baltimore Convention Center. The site, which is being leased by the State of Maryland through the Department of General Services, is being stood up by the Maryland National Guard. Medical care and daily operations will be managed jointly through a partnership with the University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins Medicine. The governor has requested that FEMA deliver 250 beds and 50 bed packages to support the initiative.
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In total, the governor’s public health surge plan calls for adding up to 6,000 hospital beds across the state. The reopening of Laurel Hospital will make another 135 beds available, and a pilot assessment location at FedEx Field in Landover is being developed in partnership with the Maryland National Guard, the Maryland Department of Health, Prince George’s County, and the University of Maryland Medical System. 
Greenmount Recreation Center
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Later, Governor Hogan and Mayor Young helped hand out boxed lunches at Greenmount Recreation Center, which has become a designated meal distribution site through the Maryland State Department of Education (MDSE). The Maryland National Guard is providing assistance and support at these sites throughout the city.
Following the closure of schools to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, MSDE has established more than 500 meal distribution sites to ensure students’ continued access to nutritious meals. These sites can be found at MdSummerMeals.org.
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Democrat Clyburn: ‘This Is a Tremendous Opportunity to Restructure Things to Fit Our Vision’

House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) reportedly told Democrats on a conference call last week that the party should exploit the coronavirus stimulus: “This is a tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision.”

Clyburn’s statement, reported by The Hill, which cited a source on a “conference call featuring more than 200 members of the House Democratic caucus” last Thursday, recalls an infamous statement by Rahm Emanuel, the incoming chief of staff to President-elect Barack Obama during the global financial crisis, who told the Wall Street Journal: “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste … This crisis provides the opportunity for us to do things that you could not do before.”

The quote became relevant again Sunday night into Monday morning, as Democrats blocked an effort to pass an emergency stimulus, reportedly insisting on changes to suit favored social interests.

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Italian Priest Dies from Coronavirus After Giving up Ventilator to Another Patient

ROME — A 72-year-old priest in Italy has died from coronavirus after giving up his respirator to a younger patient, whom he did not know.

Parishioners bought a respirator for Father Giuseppe Berardelli, from the town of Casnigo in the northern Italian province of Bergamo, after the priest had tested positive for coronavirus. Hearing there was another, younger patient suffering from the disease and who had no ventilator, Father Berardelli gave him his own.

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Attorney General Frosh Joins Coalition Urging President Trump to Prioritize Production of Protective Gear and Testing

BALTIMORE, MD (March 24, 2020) – Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh today joined a coalition of 16 attorneys general urging President Trump to fully utilize the Defense Production Act to immediately prioritize the production of masks, respirators, and other critical items needed by health care workers, first responders, and law enforcement across the United States.

“COVID-19 is a deadly virus that has resulted in tens of thousands of infected Americans and hundreds of deaths here in the U.S.,” said Attorney General Frosh. “Those individuals serving on the front lines, treating the sick and protecting public safety, should not be left without the necessary equipment to protect themselves and their families from this deadly virus.”

In a letter, the attorneys general urge President Trump to fully use the Defense Production Act to dramatically increase (1) health care capacity; (2) the supply of personal protective equipment for health care providers, law enforcement, and other first responders; and (3) COVID-19 testing capacity. The U.S. health care system needs more ventilators and ICU beds. Health care workers need personal protective equipment such as N95 respirators, surgical masks, face shields, eye protection, gloves, gowns, sanitizers, cleaning supplies, and thermometers. There is a nationwide need to increase the supply of the reagents and swabs used for COVID-19 testing so that testing can be expanded substantially and, in turn, better-informed medical decisions can be made, public health officials can more effectively tailor their decisions to local conditions, and the coronavirus can be better understood and defeated sooner.

The attorneys general state in the letter, “We are on the brink of catastrophic consequences resulting from the continued shortage of critical supplies. The federal government must act decisively now and use its sweeping authority to get as many needed supplies produced as soon as possible for distribution as quickly as possible.”

In addition to Maryland, the letter was signed by the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

‘This Is Not A Game’: Perdue Farms Workers Walk Out Over Coronavirus Concerns

KATHLEEN, Ga. (CBS Local) — Approximately 50 workers at the Perdue Farms plant in Kathleen, Georgia, walked off the job Monday morning, saying they don’t feel safe working there during the coronavirus pandemic.

Kendaliyn Granville told CBS affiliate WMAZ some workers on the production line were in contact with people who tested positive for COVID-19 and the company should do more to protect workers.

“We’re not getting nothing — no type of compensation, no nothing, not even no cleanliness, no extra pay — no nothing. We’re up here risking our life for chicken,” she said.

Perdue says it is doing “everything we can to take good care of our Associates while continuing to produce safe and reliable food.”

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Wicomico County Recreation, Parks, Tourism and Civic Center programs and events suspended until further notice

SALISBURY, Md. – In accordance with the Executive’s Office extension of a County Declared Emergency, Wicomico Recreation, Parks, Tourism and Civic Center programs and events are suspended until further notice.

These include Kids Klub After School, Westside Community Center programs, Happy Timers, sports programs and events at the Civic Center.

The following facilities remain closed to the public until further notice:
·       Wicomico Civic Center
·       Wicomico County Welcome Center
·       Beach areas at Roaring Point and Cove Road
·       Playgrounds
·       Pavilions
·       Tennis courts
·       Basketball courts
·       Pickle ball courts

Day use areas at parks, trails, marinas and boat ramps will remain accessible at this time. Visitors should follow gathering and social distancing guidance from the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/) to ensure a safe environment for themselves and others.

Decisions made by officials are fluid and can be changed at any time.

The Wicomico Recreation, Parks, Tourism and Civic Center department will continue to monitor the situation through regular updates from the Wicomico County Health Department and the Department of Emergency Services. Updates will be shared with the press, as well as posted to department websites and social media outlets.

PRESS RELEASE: Protective Masks

Thanks to the sewing skills of MCO Joann Johnson, the Wicomico County Department of Corrections has assembled a team of inmates to sew protective masks for our healthcare workers. These masks use MERV-13 filters combined with carbon sheeting to mirror the efficiency of N95 respirators. We hope to distribute our first donations to healthcare workers by the end of this week.

In times like this it is special to be able to tap into skill sets such as these. Our thanks to those who made this a reality.

Dr. Hoffman: What we know about the COVID-19 pandemic

There’s a lot to report here. Today, I’ll try to impart some of the latest facts about the COVID-19 (aka “coronavirus”) pandemic, although things are moving really fast.

In fact, they’re moving so swiftly that you may have noticed this newsletter is coming to you a few days early. As you know, I strive to keep all my readers informed on the latest health news, so in an effort to make sure you’re getting the most up-to-date information, we’ve tightened the production of my weekly newsletter to provide the shortest turnaround between when I write my article and when you receive it. As such, in the coming weeks, you may notice that you receive the newsletter earlier in the week, or even more than once per week, as the developments in our knowledge demand. I hope you’ll bear with the deviations from our usual schedule, and that you find these newsletters helpful and informative in these unpredictable times. I also encourage you share this newsletter with your loved ones to keep them informed.

Without further ado, here’s the latest news on COVID-19:

How severe is it? Very. I posted a special podcast Sunday with Dr. Leo Galland, a highly-respected veteran integrative practitioner who believes we should prepare for the worst. He estimates that within months, the majority of Americans will contract coronavirus infections, and the death rate will be around 1%—more in the frail elderly and those with predisposing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, lung disease, or with deliberate immune-suppression due to chemo or radiation, or medications like steroids and biologics now used for autoimmune conditions or to prevent organ transplant rejection. That means that the death toll could rise into the millions.

He, and other health experts, believe it’s just a matter of simple math. The transmissibility of COVID-19 has been calculated to be 3.58, which means that every individual who is infectious has the ability to transmit the virus to 3+ individuals. The concern is that at least 10% of carriers may remain asymptomatic and are “silent spreaders”. So just sequestering ill people won’t halt the transmission of the disease. That’s why governments are stampeding to initiate total lockdowns to stanch the spread.

Let’s do the math. Rounding off to a transmission rate of 3, stating with one errant spring breaker or returning Mardi Gras celebrant, and you get 3 additional infections. 3—>9—>27—>81—>243—>729 . . . you see where this is going.

Hence the need to break the chain of transmission by social distancing, frequent and thorough handwashing, and keeping surfaces clean.

Of course, we must temper doomsday scenarios with some valid counter-arguments...

There's a good analysis here

To the Citizens and Guests of Berlin


To the Citizens and Guests of Berlin:

This is the second public statement issued by the Town of Berlin regarding the evolving situation as a result of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) epidemic. I anticipate that there will be at a minimum, weekly public statements from the Town of Berlin in the immediately foreseeable future.

Effective today, Monday, March 23, 2020 the Town of Berlin is closing our public parks (Henry Park, Heron Park, and Stephen Decatur Park). Berlin Police will continue to patrol our town parks and public places to reinforce this ban during the current health emergency.

We continue to be in regular contact with the Worcester County Health Department and the Maryland Department of Health to seek their advice and guidance. I feel fortunate that we are in the State of Maryland where state government is proactively responding to this health care crisis. They have and continue to provide thoughtful, credible actions and communications to Maryland communities and citizens.

Greta Thunberg says she may have coronavirus and is isolating with her father after displaying symptoms

Greta Thunberg says she may have contracted coronavirus and has self-isolated at home with her father.

The teenage climate activist said she appeared to have been infected along with her dad, actor Svante Thunberg.

Both began having symptoms after a recent train tour of Europe together and so have been in isolation for the last weeks, she said.

They were travelling in Europe before lockdowns were imposed by many governments across the continent in a bid to halt the spread of the virus.

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State Looks To Help Small Businesses With Relief Package

OCEAN CITY — Stemming the spread of the COVID-19 virus remained the focus of Gov. Larry Hogan’s actions announced on Monday, but the governor and his staff also announced an expansive $175 million relief package to help the state’s small businesses weather the storm.

The federal U.S. Small Business Administration has already ramped up programs for businesses struggling or expecting to struggle as a result of the crisis and Maryland is rolling out an aggressive program of its own to the tune of around $175 million. During his press conference on Monday, Hogan acknowledged his executive orders will strain nearly every facet of the economy and characterized the state’s efforts as fighting “twin battles.”

“We know that the steps we’ve taken to protect the health and well-being of all Marylanders have made a significant impact on our business community,” he said. “Today, in addition to funding through the U.S. Small Business Administration, we are making new financial assistance programs available to help our businesses continue to operate during this unprecedented crisis. These programs will offer the kind of much-needed support our businesses need right now and help them to pay bills and retain their workforce as much as possible.”

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Millions could die and hospitals will be totally overwhelmed if America ends the coronavirus lockdown early

A health expert on Monday warned that coronavirus will 'spread widely, rapidly, terribly and millions could die' if Donald Trump lifts lockdowns in the United States early.

Tom Inglesby, a director at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, tweeted his fears after the president said he will reconsider the nation's social distancing policy within a matter of days.

Inglesby tweeted a thread aimed at 'anyone advising the end of social distancing' .

He wrote: 'COVID would spread widely, rapidly, terribly, could kill potentially millions in the yr ahead with huge social and economic impact across the country.'

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Neutralize COVID-19 hysteria with faith and kindness toward neighbors

'Don't let this crisis go to waste!'

Ray Comfort, in his book “Spurgeon Gold: Pure and Refined,” describes Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the 19th-century preacher who ministered in the streets of London during the cholera pandemic of 1854. Spurgeon’s words, says Mr. Comfort, were pure and refined. They were rhetorical and theological gold. Spurgeon, “had the ability to take the hammer of eloquence and nail a particular truth, to pull back the veil of the eternal and give us a fleeting glance.”

Mr. Comfort continues. “Gold holds its market value. Heaven’s everlasting streets are paved with it … Gold is not meant to sit on the shelf of a rich man. If it does, then it becomes worthless. Its real value will be seen in its being spent on the cause of the Kingdom.” In other words, the gold of truth earns its value only through the spoken word and the active life of men of virtue and valor. The gold of integrity must be “spent.” It cannot be hoarded. It only earns its value if it is invested.

As COVID-19 hysteria sweeps across our nation, the tens of millions of us who still claim to be followers of Christ might do well to consider, not only these words from Ray Comfort, but also the words and actions of Charles Spurgeon of some 150 years past.

Keep reading...

Mom Shares Son's Hilarious Journal Entry About Her Homeschooling Skills


Kids and parents are both facing the task of online homeschooling as the Coronavirus outbreak shuts down schools across the world, and some parents are taking to social media to share how things are going.

For this family in Kentucky, it's "not going good."

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PRESS RELEASE Budget Public Hearing

Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver
March 24, 2020

The annual budget hearing that was postponed from March 23, 2020 will be held on March 27, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. Due to the present health crisis with the COVID-19, it will be held by Webinar. The below are the instructions as to how to participate.

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
  • When: Mar 27, 2020 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
  • Topic: County Executive Public Hearing on Proposed Operating Budget for FY 2021
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/110838803?pwd=KzhOUTVsWVVCbVlRZjdyalg2enlIQT09

Password: 386602

Or iPhone one-tap :

US: +16465588656,,110838803# or +13126266799,,110838803#

Or Telephone:

Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782

Webinar ID: 110 838 803
International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/ael5okTnxs

It can be viewed on PAC14 and questions can be emailed to budget@wicomicocounty.org

Florida man with coronavirus claims anti-malarial drug saved his life

A Florida man hospitalized with the novel coronavirus claims an anti-malarial drug — one that President Trump has said is being tested as a possible treatment option but has not yet been approved — saved his life.

Rio Giardinieri, 52, told Fox 11 that he experienced a fever for five days, back pain, headache, cough, and tiredness after attending a work-related conference in New York. After returning home, he claims he was diagnosed with COVID-19 and pneumonia at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in South Florida. He was reportedly hospitalized in the facility’s intensive care unit for more than a week, at which point he says his symptoms had not alleviated.

“I was at the point where I was barely able to speak and breathing was very challenging. I really thought my end was there. I had been through nine days of solid pain and for me, the end was there. So I made some calls to say in my own way goodbye to my friends and family,” Giardinieri said.

https://www.foxnews.com/health/florida-man-with-coronavirus-claims-malaria-drug-saved-life

New York scientists develop first US blood test that can detect who has already had coronavirus and is immune

New York scientists have created the first blood test to detect whether someone has already been infected by and developed immunity to coronavirus.

Researchers at Mt Sinai's Icahn School of Medicine have made the first so-called serologic test for COVID-19 in the US, and they plan to roll it out in the next few days in its clinics.

Diagnostic testing for coronavirus has stumbled into existence in the US, and is only just becoming widely available across the country where the expansion of tests means thousands of additional cases are being identified a day bringing the US total to over 42,000.

It comes as 100 coronavirus deaths were reported in the US in a single day for the first time since the virus began infecting Americans.  


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'Shame on you': Republicans slam Pelosi economic aid package as a liberal wish list

Republicans erupted in anger and opposition Monday after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released an economic relief package the GOP characterized as stuffed with liberal agenda items unrelated to the coronavirus crisis.

Pelosi, a California Democrat, unveiled the plan Monday afternoon, arguing it provides adequate help for workers and families hurt by the economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus. Moments earlier, Senate Democrats blocked a $2 trillion economic relief bill in an effort to win more concessions from the GOP. Pelosi hopes her bill’s provisions will be included in a final deal, she said.

“We give direct payments to families in a robust way and strengthen the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit,” Pelosi said, outlining part of the plan from a room within the Capitol. “We urge the Senate to move closer to the values" in the House bill, she said.

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20-year-old with coronavirus reports experiencing ‘very different’ symptoms

A 20-year-old American woman who tested positive for the novel coronavirus said she suffered symptoms that hadn’t previously been associated with the infection, including hearing loss.

Julia Buscaglia — who was staying in Italy when she first started showing symptoms — decided to share her story in a now-viral Twitter thread because “others are reporting very different experiences than mine,” she wrote.

“I guess why I’m telling you all of this is because what they are telling you are symptoms are not ALL symptoms,” she added. “And you do NOT have to have the symptoms to be positive. The only symptom I had that was similar was a fever.”

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Pelosi Proposes 1,400-Page Coronavirus Bill Stuffed with Special Interest Goodies

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi debuted a 1,120-page coronavirus "rescue bill" after Democrats tanked the Senate proposal on Sunday night.

The bill includes a wish list of Democrats’ pet issues including:

Increased fuel emission standards for airlines receiving funds and carbon offsets

Payment for up to $10,000 in student loans

Money for Planned Parenthood

Same-day voter registration, early voting, voting by mail, ballot harvesting

(The shocking voter details and much more are here, but this is not for the weak-at-heart)

'Under political attack right when we need care the most': Obama encourages protection of Affordable Care Act

Former President Barack Obama celebrated the 10-year anniversary of his signing of the Affordable Care Act into law by urging lawmakers to work to protect it.

"Ten years ago today, I signed the Affordable Care Act into law," Obama tweeted Monday. "It protected preexisting conditions, cut the uninsured rate in half, and lots more. But it's still under political attack right when we need care the most. We have to protect it, build on it, until we cover everyone."

The former president said in a video attached to his tweet that passing the healthcare law "meant more" to him than the day he was elected.

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A Viewer Writes.......


I find it curious that no importance is being put on washing our faces, where the Corona Virus hangs out after coughing, sneezing and breathing. Those coughing or sneezing into a tissue or elbow are covering their faces with the virus every time they do. Washing hands isn't enough.

Maryland COVID-19 Confirmed Cases (3-24-2020)



Affected Counties


3-22-2020 244 cases

3-23-2020 288 cases

Taiwan Pledges 100,000 Masks Per Week for the U.S.

While Chinese officials have begun an information campaign to try to blame the spread of coronavirus on the United States, Taiwan has stepped up to help the U.S., pledging to send 100,000 surgical face masks per week.

Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu made the announcement on Wednesday.

“Taiwan is expanding our medical cooperation with the U.S. government in the fight against the coronavirus,” Taiwan said in a statement. It went on:

"Two countries will share best practices and deepen cooperation to combat the epidemic. The partnership includes research and development of rapid test, production of vaccines and medications, exchanges of medical supplies and equipment. As a responsible member of international community, Taiwan is willing to help and share our experiences in the fight against this horrible pandemic."

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Democrats infect coronavirus relief bill with poison

Senate Democrats on Sunday night followed Rahm Emanuel's famous advice to never let a crisis go to waste. They filibustered a bill that had been negotiated by senators of both parties to provide relief for tens of millions of people whose livelihoods are in jeopardy and whose small businesses are failing.

The most important aspect of any legislative response to the coronavirus crisis is to help businesses maintain their payrolls. Employers are making the decision to lay off their staffs every day, and the longer Washington hesitates in its response, the deeper the economic effect of the virus will be.

After a weekendlong negotiation, the Senate produced a bill that would have granted the relief for which people are desperate. The bill would have increased the amount an eligible individual could receive for unemployment insurance and expanded the number of households that would receive individual payments from the government to cover immediate costs.

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The Rebirth of Our Nation and the End of Globalism

For the last few decades, we have watched the left's advancement of globalism, multiculturalism, and a world with no borders, to the detriment of our nation-state. Nationalism was viewed with disdain by the media elite and their counterparts in academia as an outdated paradigm to be relegated to the dustbin of history.

In their effort to advance their mission, they created NAFTA, and under Bill Clinton, free trade with China was initiated in 2000. China was officially welcomed into the World Trade Organization in 2001 with promises to reform tariffs and policies, tariff reductions, and open markets. China also received Most Favored Nations Status. Its admittance significantly resulted in it receiving the lowest tariffs, fewer trade barriers, and the highest import quotas.

Many of America's once thriving manufacturing companies moved their operations overseas, where cheap labor and fewer stifling regulations promised hefty profits and less governmental interference. As a result, millions lost their jobs in cities throughout the United States. The Rust Belt, once the manufacturing heartland of America in states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Pennsylvania, experienced urban decay and losses in population due to deindustrialization. Our leading auto manufacturers, steel suppliers, pharmaceuticals, and clothing manufacturers suddenly became a thing of the past. Cities like Detroit lost their base, as did Cleveland, a large supplier of steel. Currently, the Chinese produce 50% of the world's steel. American aluminum manufacturers during the '50s and '60s provided 80% of the world's supply, but by 2014, it had dwindled to 32%. We used to be a sizable supplier of rare earth minerals, but today, 80% of rare earth minerals critically needed in the production of cell phones, missile systems, hybrid cell batteries, and solar panels is mined in China. Additionally, 80% of our pharmaceuticals are now manufactured in Communist China. As China employed unfair trade deals that imposed huge tariffs upon our goods, it became clear that we were losing our economic edge and taking a backseat to a rising tyrannical world power.

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Pennsylvania governor reconsidering liquor store closures

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said Sunday night he’s reconsidering his order to shutter liquor stores as part of the state’s coronavirus mitigation effort.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board closed 600 wine and spirits stores across the state Tuesday under Wolf’s social distancing directive. Since then, industry trade groups and the Department of Drug and Alcohol have raised concerns about blanket shut downs, encouraging Wolf himself to revisit the decision.

“We are looking at that very seriously,” Wolf said. “I’m trying to understand the thinking in other states. On the one hand, this can be considered a nonessential function. On the other hand … this sometimes gets to be a health issue for those with a substance use disorder.”

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Obama Admin Depleted Stockpile of N95 Masks, Never Restored

President Donald Trump may be right to claim that he “inherited” a system that was not ready to fight a pandemic, according to a report that the Obama administration depleted the nation’s stock of N95 masks and never restored it.

The Washington Examiner, citing Bloomberg News and the Los Angeles Times, reported Monday that the Obama administration used millions of N95 masks in the fight against the H1N1 virus in 2009, but did not replace them:

"The national shortage of N95 respirator masks can be traced back to 2009 after the H1N1 swine flu pandemic, when the Obama administration was advised to replenish a national stockpile but did not, according to reports from Bloomberg News and the Los Angeles Times."

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