COVID-19 – Page 22 – Broke in Philly

Philly Plans to Open Cooling Centers as Heat Wave Nears, But Details Scant

July 6, 2020

Philadelphia is expected to begin experiencing temperatures at or above 90 degrees along with high humidity, which is a threat to vulnerable populations, including infants, children, the elderly, and those with preexisting conditions. However, the city won’t release guidance on how it will reopen cooling centers until it gets closer to the time when it has to declare a heat emergency. | From: NBC10/Telemundo62 (Read more.)

‘Delayed grief’

July 6, 2020

Funeral directors represented one of the largest professions dealing with PTSD. Then, COVID-19 struck. | From: Philadelphia Weekly (Read more.)

RIP Medical Debt helps poor Americans eliminate medical bills

July 6, 2020

A third of Americans have medical bills they cannot pay. A New York nonprofit has helped eliminate $2 billion of that debt for the poorest of them | From: The Citizen (Read more.)

A plan to control development in North Philly heightens gentrification fears: ‘Everything is in jeopardy’

July 5, 2020

West Kensington, one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods, is the latest battlefield in a contest over what Philadelphia will become. The area is pockmarked with abandoned properties, and community residents see an opportunity for low-income housing, community centers, or preservation of the homegrown gardens that are a hallmark of the area. But concerns about rising costs and gentrification are present too. | From: The Inquirer (Read more.)

Pa. bill helps those with criminal records get professional licenses

July 1, 2020

Under a new PA bill, people with criminal records seeking any occupational license can only be rejected if their conviction “directly relates” to the practice of the profession, or if the crime represents a “substantial risk” to coworkers and customers, such as if a home health aide was previously convicted of assaulting a patient. | From: WHYY (Read more.)

Coronavirus update: State asks for more flexibility for SNAP benefits

June 30, 2020

Governor Tom Wolf sent a letter Wednesday to the United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, urging the USDA to extend waivers that give states flexibility to safely provide public benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, and prevent interruption in services. | From: WHYY (Read more.)

Agency offers Philadelphians at-home HIV testing

June 30, 2020

The campaign is in collaboration with the Philadelphia AIDS Activities Coordinating Office and the health department. It’s targeting African American and Latinx men between the ages of 18 and 45, particularly men who have sex with other men and injection drug users. Men who have sex with men (MSM) have historically and continue to be disproportionally affected by HIV and AIDS. | From: Metro Philly (Read more.)

Wolf administration says inmates safer in prison

June 30, 2020

Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration said prisoners are better protected from the COVID-19 virus behind bars than the general public. | From: Metro Philly
(Read more.)

Pa. workers weigh risks, benefits of coronavirus reopenings

June 29, 2020

By July 3, all of Pennsylvania is supposed to have entered the “green” phase of reopening, when most kinds of businesses can restore limited operations after three months of restrictions. During that time, the commonwealth’s unemployment rate hit a record 15%, and many businesses closed permanently. Many jobless workers are being called back — even if life has not returned to normal. | From: WHYY (Read more.)

Philly’s Community Organizations Have a Critical Role In Development. Can They Play it Virtually?

June 26, 2020

When coronavirus-related social-distancing guidelines went into effect, civic associations around the city had to cancel in-person meetings. | From: Next City (Read more.)