Crews prep Liacouras Center as Philly cases mountMetro - Jobs6 years ago
Emergency crews are turning Temple University’s gym into surge hospital space as Philadelphia prepares for another week of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. City officials on Sunday reported 84 new coronavirus cases and four additional deaths. So far, 890 people have been infected with the virus in Philadelphia and eight have died. Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said not to be encouraged by the lower number of positive tests. Two labs that process the tests do not report results to the city over the weekend. Five of the eight people who have died are nursing home residents, though city leaders have declined to identify any facilities where there have been cases. Farley said all nursing homes, if they haven't already, should ban visitors, have staff wear masks and frequently screen employees for symptoms. “In other cities in the U.S., we have seen that nursing homes are particularly susceptible to outbreaks of COVID-19, and we’re starting to see that here in Philadelphia,” ...
Police investigating weekend shootings, stabbingsMetro - Jobs6 years ago
Philadelphia police are investigating after a series of weekend shootings and stabbings left two men dead and several people in critical condition. Officers responded to the 4700 block of Paschall Avenue in Southwest Philly at around 4:30 p.m. Sunday and found a 22-year-old man who had been shot four times in the back, once in the torso and once in the right leg, authorities said. He was taken to Penn Presbyterian in critical condition and died at the hospital, police said. On Friday, at 5:15 p.m., police found a 33-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds to his face and neck inside his car on the 2600 block of Palethorp Street in Fairhill. He was rushed to Temple University Hospital, where he died minutes later, authorities said. No arrests have been made in either case, and police did not provide suspect descriptions. Also on Friday night, two men were stabbed on the 5200 block of Jefferson Street in West Philly. Authorities said a 41-year-old man who had been stabbed in both...
Baldor Specialty Foods now offers delivery in PhiladelphiaMetro - Jobs6 years ago
During this unprecedented time, the need for different delivery options—specifically pertaining to food and drinks—has never been quite so vital. For some, leaving the house is not an option whether it be for self-quarantining, monitoring symptoms or simply being a bit anxious to leave the comfort of your home during a pandemic. Whatever your reason may be, there are options from Baldor Specialty Foods to help sustain us during social distancing, and luckily it's all quite delicious. According to a release, Baldor Specialty Foods, one of the largest wholesale importers and distributors of fresh produce and specialty foods in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, announced recently that it will be expanding its home delivery service into the Boston and Philadelphia metro-areas and making its vast inventory of thousands of fresh produce and other food items available for consumers to order online. This announcement comes after immense success for Baldor's delivery services in the ...
Stay in shape while staying at homeMetro - Jobs6 years ago
Sometimes you need that extra little bit of motivation to work out at home, especially during social distancing. Philly gyms and fitness studios are bringing their workouts to social media and platforms like Zoom in order to show participants how to stay healthy and connect with other workout enthusiasts. Find workouts to help both your physical and mental health. Here are seven sources for free workouts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tip: With free classes, look for how to tip the instructor or donate to the studio. Their Venmo account information will often be posted with the class information. Tuck Barre & Yoga Choose between a challenging barre class or do some relaxing yoga with Tuck Barre & Yoga, a studio with three locations in the Philly area. They are livestreaming several classes every day through Facebook Live. Other class options include prenatal yoga, kids yoga and cardio workouts. Check out their weekly schedule on their Facebook page. Join in via Facebook Live....
Ask the Mayor: COVID-19Metro - Jobs6 years ago
Knowledge is power, and the best way to gain knowledge on the City of Philadelphia is to go right to the top. Every month, Metro will ask Mayor Jim Kenney questions pertaining to what is currently happening in the City of Sisterly Love—to get answers, give residents peace of mind and give each of us the power of being informed. This month, the column is focusing on questions pertaining to the coronavirus pandemic. Here is what Kenney had to say about how Philadelphia is continuing to handle COVID-19. What exactly should people do if they feel that they are infected? Tests are being given to those over 50 who are displaying symptoms and healthcare workers. What about those who are younger and start to display symptoms—what steps should be taken and when is it deemed necessary to go to the hospital? If you are otherwise healthy and your symptoms are mild, you do not need to seek health care evaluation for coronavirus. If you are experiencing a low-grade fever and cough and would typic...
City drops bid to use Hahnemann as COVID-19 quarantine siteMetro - Jobs6 years ago
City officials have dropped a bid to lease the shuttered Hahnemann University Hospital for use as a coronavirus quarantine site after frustrating negotiations with the building’s owner. Mayor Jim Kenney said Thursday it would have cost the city $1 million a month to rent the former hospital, which has been stripped of beds and other medical equipment. That price was too high for city leaders. “In the midst of a public health crisis with the numbers of positive cases increasing daily, we simply do not have the time to continue in a lengthy negotiation,” Kenney said. “So we are done, and we are moving on.” Joel Freedman, who caused an outcry by shutting down Hahnemann last year, wanted $400,000 in monthly rent and for the city to cover costs associated with renovating and operating the proposed quarantine site, according to Kenney. At first, Freedman wanted the municipal government to buy the building outright, but Kenney said the city couldn’t afford it and had no desire to purchas...
City Council moves to free up $85 million to fight COVID-19Metro - Jobs6 years ago
City Council advanced legislation allowing Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration to spend $85 million to fight the novel coronavirus, even as some members questioned the city’s plan to help small businesses deal with the pandemic. Managing Director Brian Abernathy said the money will be used for a variety of purposes, including the staffing of essential personnel, purchase of personal protection equipment and leasing of quarantine sites. “It’s likely we’ll have to go back for some more,” Kenney said. “We thought that this was an appropriate number to address the initial impacts of the dilemma.” The emergency spending bill, which also provides an extra $400,000 for council’s own public awareness campaign, could be approved as early as next Thursday. No members of the public or press were allowed to attend the hearing, though it was broadcasted on television and streamed live online. Several council members raised concerns about the administration’s COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund. D...
Shootings leave one dead, 11 injured in PhillyMetro - Jobs6 years ago
At least 11 people have been shot in Philadelphia since Tuesday, including a man who was gunned down in Southwest Philly, according to police. Officers on Tuesday responded to the 6000 block of Reinhard Street just before 7 p.m. and found 23-year-old Yahmier Torrence, who lived in Old City, with gunshot wounds to his back and chest. Doctors pronounced him dead minutes later, police said. No arrests have been made in connection with the killing, according to authorities. On Tuesday night, at around 9:15 p.m., a 16-year-old boy was shot multiple times in the right leg on the 1700 block of S. 60th Street, also in Southwest Philly. He was taken to the hospital, where he is listed in stable condition. Earlier in the evening, in South Philly, officers rushed a 24-year-old man to Penn Prysbertian Hospital after he was shot in the right leg on the 2200 block of McKean Street. He’s also in stable condition, police said. Another man was shot in the leg at 6:30 p.m. on the 3100 block of N. 15...
Broad Street Ministry installs portable hand-washing stations and murals th...Metro - Jobs6 years ago
At this point in time, there are many Philadelphia-area businesses that are unfortunately shut down due to the global pandemic, but there are still many organizations working full steam ahead during this crisis—including the Broad Street Ministry. Broad Street Ministry has been serving the City of Sisterly Love since 2005 as an alternative church community, and their mission of transforming our city, our institutions and ourselves by embracing the individual needs of our most vulnerable sisters and brothers through a variety of services is especially relevant now. According to a release, to help spread the message of protecting our community, BSM has partnered up with Mural Arts Philadelphia, StreetsDept.com and HAHA MAG to install portable hand-washing stations and informational murals in four different locations across the city in a collaborative sanitation project. The murals and hand-washing stations are now located at the Broad Street Ministry (315 South Broad St.), 83...
When NBA, NHL return, they could look like this: MacnowMetro - Jobs6 years ago
Let me start on a personal level: Writing and talking about sports seems as trivial a profession as there can be during a worldwide health crisis. I’m cloistered at home studying the Eagles draft outlook, while brave folks are working in hospitals, stocking store shelves, hauling away our trash. You really learn who the “essential personnel” are during a pandemic. That said, spectator sports serve a valuable role in this country, even if they are just a diversion. Couldn’t we all use an escape from the anxiety? I’d love to say pro sports are coming back soon, but we all know that’s not true. Any return date is a guess — and not an educated one at that. When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls for canceling any event with 50 or more people for the next few months, how can any league put on a game? Still, plans are being formulated. League offices need to be ready when the time is right. And, just as after 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, these games will serve as a great ...
"Escape From Virtual Island" allows a needed creative escape for listenersMetro - Jobs6 years ago
The art of storytelling comes in many different formats from films, to books to audio series, and the latter is where Audible lies. Audible is an audio entertainment platform that is similar to the production of podcasts, but tells straightforward stories instead of having conversations, and in Audible's latest original comedy series written by John Lutz, "Escape From Virtual Island," listeners are thrown into the world of an eclectic island resort in the year 2038 where guests can live out their virtual fantasies in a variety of computer simulations. When one of the guests goes missing virtually though, chaos ensues and a crew of colorful characters must try and figure out why and how they can save the day. Comedian Paula Pell plays a strongwilled, yet harmlessly eccentric security guard along with Paul Rudd who plays the hilarious and reluctant owner of the resort and a variety of other interesting personalities (played by a star-studded cast including Jack Mcbrayer, Jane Krakows...
Watch concerts and performances by these Philly artists from your living roomMetro - Jobs6 years ago
If not being able to attend concerts leaves you feeling even more disconnected while social distancing, get ready to fill your calendars with virtual performances that come pretty close to a concert experience. Philly bands and musicians are using tools like Facebook Live and Instagram TV to both play live and share recordings from their home studios and practice spaces. This gives audiences the opportunity to see artists work out of their home environments and build that connection. Just like virtual happy hours and game nights, go ahead and plan to “attend” these performances to make it feel like you get to go out while staying in. Philadelphia Orchestra See musicians from the Philadelphia Orchestra perform some of their favorite pieces from their practice spaces at home. Musicians including concertmaster David Kim perform for a virtual audience of Instagram followers via Instagram TV. Watch Kim play a beautiful duet with his daughter, J.S. Bach/Gounod's "Ave Maria" as well as cel...
School district preparing for long-term COVID-19 closureMetro - Jobs6 years ago
Public school officials plan to buy 50,000 laptops and distribute even more to students as the district prepares for what could be a long-term closure due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Officials are not pulling the plug on the school year yet, but it’s becoming increasingly likely classes won’t resume, as the coronavirus pandemic intensifies in Philadelphia. “We don’t know whether or not school will resume this year,” Mayor Jim Kenney said Wednesday. “We take it day-by-day, hour-by-hour.” Gov. Tom Wolf ordered schools statewide to remain closed through Monday, April 6, though School District of Philadelphia Superintendent William Hite said city schools would likely need at least another week to prepare to reopen. “It is highly likely that we could be out for a much longer term, so, with that in mind, we are actively preparing for a long-term closure,” Hite said in a Facebook Live address to parents, teachers and others. “Our first concern is to keep our children and school st...
Philadelphia reports first coronavirus-related deathMetro - Jobs6 years ago
A Philadelphia man diagnosed with the novel coronavirus died after a short stay in the hospital, becoming the city’s first death related to COVID-19. The man was in his 50s and had underlying medical conditions, according to Health Commissioner Thomas Farley. “We are all deeply saddened by the loss of this resident,” Mayor Jim Kenney said during a daily press briefing. “Our prayers are with the family and loved ones at this very difficult time.” “The unfortunate reality is that there will likely be more deaths as the number of cases grow, which is why our stay-at-home order is essential,” he added. City officials reported 93 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, the largest one-day increase since the beginning of the epidemic. In total, 342 people in Philadelphia have been infected, Farley said, including police officers, firefighters and other city employees. City leaders declined to elaborate on those cases. SEPTA announced the first COVID-19 case among its employees late Tuesday n...
Health officials say newspapers are safeMetro - Jobs6 years ago
Lately, the news may be scary, but it’s safe to read. The World Health Organization has confirmed that holding and flipping through the pages of a newspaper is still safe. People who have received packages, mail and newspapers carry little risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus. “The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low, and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, traveled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low,” according to WHO. The coronavirus has poor survivability on surfaces—it is predominantly spread person-to-person—according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC stated that there is a “very low risk of spread from products or packaging.” “The best judgment we have on this from the Centers for Disease Control is that this virus degrades pretty quickly while on surfaces,” said Philadelphia Health Commissioner Thomas Farley. “I would not think th...
Artist Relief Tree announces second phase of fundraising effortsMetro - Jobs6 years ago
This time in our world is uncertain, but what we do know with certainty is that there are many efforts going on to help those in need in many capacities, including artists. To help with this creative effort is the Artist Relief Tree, who recently announced phase two of their mission to help fund artists of any discipline with a one-time “solidarity” donation of $250. To achieve this goal, the Fund is looking to raise upwards of $1,000,000. According to the release, musician and writer Amanda Palmer is lending her crowdfunding experience and support to this fund, which has already raised $215,000 to support artists in need. Alongside Amanda Palmer, ART has been endorsed by a broad coalition of artistic leaders and innovators including musicians Mike Posner, Regina Spektor, Rhiannon Giddens, Missy Higgins, Brian Eno, Ben Folds and Ani diFranco; writers George R.R. Martin, Neil Gaiman, Brené Brown, Ijeoma Oluo and Maria Popova (founder of BrainPickings.org); opera stars Isabel Leonard,...
Get an inside look at the Philadelphia Zoo in their new digital seriesMetro - Jobs6 years ago
Spring has sprung in Philly, and normally, Philadelphians would be jumping at the chance to pay a visit to the Zoo, especially on those sunny days that are inevitably on the horizon. Even though times right now aren't exactly pleasant, the Philadelphia Zoo isn't letting social distancing stop their fun—they are just adjusting the Zoo experience into the digital sphere to help give viewers an inside look and also help combat the feelings of isolation that many are feeling right now. The Philadelphia Zoo's new initiative, The Philly Zoo at 2, launched this week on Facebook Live, and already many viewers have gotten an inside look at some of the inner wild workings of this popular cultural establishment. "The Zoo is still up and running like it would be on most days," says Amy Shearer, The Philadelphia Zoo's Chief Marketing Officer. "No visitors of course, but we still have animals and we still have the zookeeper staff who are monitoring diets, medical care, daily enrichments and eve...
Some companies are hiring in Philly, even with COVID-19Metro - Jobs6 years ago
Unemployment claims in Pennsylvania are skyrocketing as workers who have been laid off due to the novel coronavirus outbreak and its resulting closures seek compensation. Many industries are getting rocked by the epidemic, but several businesses, particularly those involved in the food and delivery industries, are scrambling to hire employees to keep up with demand. Just across the bridge in New Jersey, Misfits Market is planning to hire 100 new people for its Pennsauken warehouse and may end up bringing even more people on board, founder and CEO Abhi Ramesh said. The company ships organic produce, some of which is misshapen and would sometimes be discarded by traditional retailers, to subscribers' doors at a discount. It serves 24 states. People have been flocking to order food, probably in an attempt to avoid the empty shelves and long lines that have plagued some area supermarkets. “We started to see a spike in volume a few weeks ago,” Ramesh said. “Now, it’s pretty pronounced...
COVID-19 cases rise as Philly prepares first quarantine centerMetro - Jobs6 years ago
Officials are planning to turn a Center City hotel into a quarantine site for homeless people and others infected with the COVID-19 virus as the number of cases in Philadelphia now tops 250. The Holiday Inn Express on Walnut Street near 13th Street is set to become the city’s first quarantine facility. City Managing Director Brian Abernathy said Tuesday the city is leasing the building, which will be used to isolate homeless people and others who cannot safely quarantine at home, including domestic violence victims and those who live with people who have compromised immune systems. A vast majority of residents exposed to the coronavirus would still be asked to self-quarantine. Officials did not say when the Holiday Inn site would open. Meanwhile, city leaders are frustrated over talks involving another potential quarantine site, Hahnemann University Hospital, which was controversially closed last year. Abernathy said negotiations have been challenging, and Mayor Jim Kenney accused t...
Finding peace of mindMetro - Jobs6 years ago
With the ever-growing chaos surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, it is more important now than ever to keep a healthy mindset. But in these tumultuous times, that might be easier said than done. Philadelphia Clinical Psychologist Deborah Seagull, Ph.D, offers Metro readers insight and advice to overcome stress and embrace some much-needed peace of mind. What advice would you give to those suffering from mental health issues amidst the COVID-19 virus pandemic? This is a scary and troubling time for everyone in our country, and especially now with COVID-19 in our area, it feels much more real and pressing. The two worst-case scenarios psychologically are going too far in either direction. If you are in denial, you run the risk of infecting yourself, others and making faulty decisions with regard to the risk present with the virus. Conversely, if you are paralyzed by your fear, your life loses meaning and vitality necessary for functioning and survival. The goal here is to find tha...
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