Failing to signal causes countless accidents

We’ve all experienced this kind of bad driving: a driver turns in front of you or merges into your lane unexpectedly without using their turn signal. It’s not just inconsiderate – getting lazy with the turn signal leads to crashes every day.

Over 750 billion times per year, drivers fail to properly use their turn signals. According to a study by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), drivers fail to signal when switching lanes 48% of the time and fail to signal when turning 25% of the time. Motorists also improperly leave their blinkers on long after changing lanes or use the wrong turn signal an additional 10% of the time

Why Are Turn Signals So Important?

The SAE study demonstrates a need for more research to understand and combat the problem of turn signal neglect. But why is it so important that drivers use turn signals when changing lanes, […]

Nursing Home Wrongful Deaths

Pennsylvania nursing homes at the center of deadly coronavirus outbreaks

When families feel that they can no longer properly care for their loved ones at home, they frequently look to senior care facilities such as assisted living and nursing homes. While these facilities are looked to as a source of care and safety, they are proving to be hot spots for coronavirus outbreaks and deaths.  

There have been 4,218 Covid-19 related deaths in Pennsylvania according to the PA Department of Health. Of these, roughly 64% have been in nursing homes. In Lackawanna County, that number is close to 75%. The numbers in Scranton-area nursing homes are so alarming that they have prompted the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office to launch an investigation into how these facilities have responded to the pandemic. 

Older adults are at higher risk for developing serious complications from Covid-19. […]

Covid and Easing of Truck Safety Regulations

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the incidents of truck crashes in the state of PA are among the highest in the nation.  The FMCSA, an arm of the US Department of Transportation, is tasked not only with tracking the safety records of commercial motor vehicles, but also with regulating the industry.  They are focused on reducing large truck and bus crashes, injuries and fatalities.  They perform roadside inspections, investigate truck crashes and develop and enforce safety regulations.

In 2013,  the FMCSA Hours of Service regulations to limit truck driver fatigue went into effect in an attempt to reduce the number of truck crashes. The rules specify the maximum number of consecutive hours that commercial truckers can drive,  the frequency and length of their rest breaks and number of hours of required off duty time.  Most drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving over a 14 hour workday.   […]

Pennsylvania to Begin Easing Covid-19 Restrictions

Portions of PA will soon begin to have their coronavirus restrictions eased. Beginning on May 8, 24 counties located in the north-central and northwestern parts of the state will be the first areas of Pennsylvania to let many businesses reopen and allow individuals to leave their homes, with safety precautions. These counties were chosen as they are less densely populated and have been least impacted by Covid-19.

These counties are having their restrictions eased under the first step in Governor Tom Wolf’s detailed reopening process.   The plan incorporates a three phase matrix to determine when to ease coronavirus based restrictions.  

Red Phase

• All of PA currently under Red Phase.
• Stay-at-home
• While not strictly enforced, travel for life-sustaining emergencies only encouraged
• Large gatherings prohibited
• Essential business only can remain open
• Restaurants and bars limited to carry out and delivery service
• Schools and most child care faciities closed
• Congregate care and prison restrictions in place

  […]

New Covid-19 Treatment Approved

Researchers have been working around the clock to develop both a vaccine to protect against COVID-19 and medications for its treatment. One experimental drug, remdesivir,  has received emergency-use authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) according to the New York Times. 

Remdesivir, is manufactured by Gilead Sciences, a California based biopharmaceutical company.  The drug was originally developed to combat Ebola.

CNN has reported that a preliminary trial of the antiviral drug conducted by the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), showed that the use of remdesivir shortened the duration of the coronavirus in patients by 31% from 15 to 11 days.  It may also reduce the likelihood of death, with a mortality rate of 8% for those taking remdesivir versus 11.6% for those in the placebo group. The test included 1,090 patients worldwide.

Typically, multiple published studies are completed on a drug before it is approved in a process that can often take years.  […]

Business Interruption Insurance

Business interruption insurance is designed to cover the loss of income normally earned by a business as a result of the forced suspension of operations. Unlike property insurance, which covers physical damage, business interruption insurance protects against lost income while the business is closed, and during the rebuilding period after the closing. 

Given the current coronavirus pandemic, the Governor of the state of PA, along with governors in many states throughout the country, has issued a state-wide mandate requiring all non-essential businesses to close. As a result, businesses are looking to their business interruption insurance to help them survive. 

Most business interruption policies will cover:

Profits that would have been earned, based on prior financial statements

Fixed costs still being incurred despite the closure

Extra expenses to allow the business to continue to operate until a return to more normal circumstances

Employee wages to allow you to retain your employees

Taxes to allow you to remain current on taxes and avoid penalties

Loan payments 

When businesses are allowed to re-open, […]

Paycheck Protection Program – What You Need to Know

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a federal relief program managed by the Small Business Administration (SBA).  The program is  designed to help small businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID pandemic.  The financial assistance is structured as a loan, to be forgiven if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks, and the funds are used primarily for payroll. Up to one quarter of the loan can be used toward rent, mortgage interest or utilities within specific parameters. 

The initial $349 billion commitment ran out in roughly two weeks, without meeting the total funding needs of small businesses.  On Tuesday, April 21, the Senate approved an additional $310 billion in PPP funding. The bill is widely expected to be signed into law later this week.  Some of the regulations pertaining to the program can be complicated so you should contact your local lending institution or refer to the SBA website. […]

Where Is My Stimulus Check?

Millions of Americans received their Economic Impact Payment this week through direct deposit into their bank accounts.  In total, 80 million people were estimated to receive their funds from the IRS during the week of April 13.  But millions more have not yet received any money.  If you have not yet received your money, don’t panic!  According to Money magazine, there may be many reasons such as:

You might not be eligible.  Details of eligibility can be found on the IRS Economic Impact Payment Information Center.  But, in general, you must meet the following IRS guidelines:

US citizen, permanent resident or qualifying resident alien.

Cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax returns.

Have a valid social security number, or a spouse that is a member of the Armed Forces.

Have an adjusted gross income that meets the requirements. […]

Grocery Workers Request First Responder Designation

Roughly 30 grocery store employees have died as a result of COVID-19 and another 3,000 have been directly impacted by the virus, according to a recent report by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW).

On April 14, Kroger, the country’s largest grocery store chain, and the UFCW, issued a joint statement calling on federal and state governments to designate grocery store employees as  first responders. Doing so will allow priority access to personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves.  

Supermarkets have remained open throughout the pandemic.  Thousands of employees continue to work and many of these people have been working extended over-time hours to compensate for co-workers that have contracted COVID-19 or are taking time off to care for ill family members. Many of these employees are working without any protective gear. 

Industry experts anticipate difficulty continuing to retain and add new employees to staff the ever increasing demand for new jobs.  […]

PA COVID-19 Update

As of April 15, the PA Department of Health reported 26,490 PA residents infected with coronavirus. Of those who tested positive, 51% were aged 50 or older, 40% were aged 25-49, 6% were aged 19-24 and the remainder were under 18. 647 people died from coronavirus or related complications.

The most serious cases remain amongst the older population.  More than half of the total numbers of hospitalizations to date are of people aged 65 or older. Residents of nursing homes account for 13% of the total cases.

Cases have been reported in all 67 counties in PA. The counties of Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Lehigh, and Luzerne have the greatest number of cases.  All of PA remains under a stay home order through April 30. While freedom of travel remains, residents are urged to minimize non-essential travel and to limit grocery shopping to weekly. […]

COVID-19 devastates nursing homes locally and nationwide

As the coronavirus spreads through nursing homes, families want answers

The coronavirus pandemic has taken a devastating toll on nursing homes nationwide. Pennsylvania is among the states with the highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 among nursing home residents and staff. At least six deaths and ten additional confirmed cases were reported at one Scranton facility. While nursing homes all over the country have reported deadly outbreaks, the full scale of the impact is unknown, as many facilities are not reporting data or are without access to testing.

With many nursing homes short-staffed and struggling to meet standards under normal circumstances, the global pandemic has introduced a new threat that some facilities were ill-equipped to meet. The combination of residents’ physical vulnerability to infection, lack of access to testing, and inadequate safety protections has allowed the virus to spread rapidly, and with tragic consequences.

What’s worse, […]

Long Term Care Facilities and Coronavirus

How concerned should I be about a loved one living in a long term care facility?

Residents living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, independent living facilities and continuing care facilities are all at relatively high risk for contracting COVID-19.  The reasons are that the individuals are living in relatively close quarters, are advanced in age, and often have underlying health issues. Furthermore, many of these facilities lack the capacity to test all of their residents and to provide their staff with proper protective equipment. As a result, long-term care facilities may lack the information, supplies, and physical space to keep all of their staff and residents safe. 

What should nursing homes be doing to protect their residents during this pandemic?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended the following precautions for nursing homes and other long-term care facilities:

Restrict visitation except for extenuating circumstances such as end of life care. […]

Caring for a Sick Household Member

What should I do if a member of my household gets sick?

Most people who get sick with coronavirus only have mild symptoms and are able to recover at home. If your employee or coworker tests positive for COVID-19, consider sanitizing and disinfecting your workplace to eliminate harmful germs.   If you suspect you or a household member has coronavirus, you should call your doctor or county health department for medical advice. Ask  if COVID-19 testing is available and recommended.  Without testing, you will not know for certain if the illness is coronavirus or something else. Follow this guidance from the CDC:

Have the sick person stay in one room as much as possible.

Have them use their own bathroom, if possible. 

Have them wear a cloth face covering, especially when around other people.

Avoid sharing personal household items, […]

Basic Coronavirus Questions Answered

Is it safe for me to go outside?

The short answer is yes.  Even though most of the country is under stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders,  going outside for some fresh air is encouraged as long as you can maintain social distancing.  Taking a walk or going for a jog can be great for your physical and mental health.

Take a walk, jog, or bike ride in your neighborhood.  If you prefer a change of scenery, check to see which parks in your area are still open. The key to being outdoors safely is to remember to practice safe social distancing.  Keep a distance of six feet between you and everyone else, other than the members of your immediate household.

How do I safely do my essential errands?

There are many services that will deliver groceries and other goods to you including Amazon, […]

Hospitals Facing Dire Shortage of Needed Medications

We are all aware of the critical shortage of medical equipment such as N95 masks needed to protect our health care workers, and ventilators to help ill patients breathe. But hospitals are now running low on essential drugs as well.  

Medications needed to support ailing respiratory systems, antiviral medications and sedatives are all in short supply.  Premier, a company that works with many hospitals for their medication purchasing, has compiled a list of 15 critical drugs for treating COVID-19 that are either facing a shortage or already in short supply. They have reported that 70% of acute care responders reported at least one shortage of one of these COVID-19 drugs.  Among non-acute responders, such as pharmacies, long term care facilities, and home care facilities, 48% reported shortages.

These drugs are used for a variety of purposes, including pain management, […]

Risks to Truckers During Coronavirus Epidemic

Trucking can be a lonely job during the best of circumstances.  Drivers spend extended amounts of time away from family and friends while they drive their rigs across long highways.  But driving during a pandemic, with all individuals asked to maintain social distancing of 6 feet, creates a whole new level of isolation.   Long haul drivers are spending nearly 24 hours a day in their trucks – cooking, sleeping, “relaxing” all done within the confines of their cab. 

Truck drivers are keenly aware that if they contract COVID-19, they have the potential to spread it around over the vast geographic area that they travel.  They are also aware that without their continuing to work, not only do they not have an income, but ever increasing demand for shipped goods, will not be delivered.  As more and more states ask their residents to stay at home, […]

How to get tested for COVID-19 in Philadelphia

The landscape of how and where to get tested is evolving, as more drive through test sites are opening up.  But right now, here are your testing options:

Abington Hospital, Abington Township

Testing only with a referral from an Abington-Jefferson Health physician.

See more details here.

Penn Medicine, West Philadelphia and Radnor locations

Testing available to anyone experiencing coronavirus-like symptoms.  

If you’re a Penn Medicine patient, you should contact your health-care provider for a referral.

If you are not a Penn Medicine patient, you should call their toll-free hotline at 833-983-1350.

See more details here

Temple University, Ambler campus in Upper Dublin Township

Tests by appointment only to people who meet one or more of the following criteria:

Symptoms of sudden illness such as fever, […]

COVID-19 Resources

During this time of uncertainty, it is more important than ever to have a list of resources ready in case you need help and don’t know where to turn.  We have put together a listing, by category, of links to what we think are some very important sources of information during this trying time period.

Employee Rights – Paid Leave, Unemployment and Workers Compensation

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

FFCRA Supplemental Questions and Answers

US Department of Labor Guidelines

Information for PA Employees Impacted by COVID-19

Information for NJ Employees Impacted by COVID-19

Information for NY Employees Impacted by COVID-19

Social Security

Social Security Administration

Information for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 (the list is extensive and we have listed just a few)

US Small Business Administration

EXIM Bank Coronavirus Response

Forbes List of COVID-19 Small Business Relief Funds

PA Working Capital Access Program

Philadelphia COVID-19 Fund

Philadelphia Small Business Relief Fund

NYC Assistance and Guidance for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

  […]

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act)

Covered employers (see definition below) are now required to provide their employees with paid sick leave, expanded family or medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.

This newly established Act will remain in effect until December 31, 2020.

In general, covered employers must provide the following:

Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave if the employee is quarantined, experiencing symptoms of coronavirus and seeking a medical diagnosis. 

OR

Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay because the employee has a bona fide need to care for a quarantined individual, or a child under 18 whose school or day care facility has been closed as result of COVID-19, or other specified reasons.

Up to an additional 10 paid weeks of of expanded family and medical leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay, […]

Unemployment Benefits and COVID-19

The $2 trillion stimulus package recently signed by President Trump greatly expands unemployment benefits for laid off workers.  Unemployment benefits will increase by $600 per week on top of the currently provided payments.  The stimulus package also broadens the numbers of individuals eligible for these benefits. 

Who is eligible for unemployment benefits?

Unemployment insurance is administered at the state level.  While specific plans vary by state, Americans are generally eligible if they have been laid off from their jobs.  The new plan has been expanded to include the self-employed, independent contractors as well as part time employees.  

According to the PA Office of Unemployment Compensation, you might be eligible if:

• Your employer temporarily closes or goes out of business because of COVID-19
• Your employer reduces your hours because of COVID-19
• You have been told not to work because your employer feels you might get or spread COVID-19
• You have been told to quarantine or self-isolate, […]