Gov. Wolf orders all but ‘life-sustaining’ Pa. businesses to close; experts weigh in on when things will return to ‘normal’ | Morning Newsletter
And Lower Merion coach Gregg Downer opens up about his life since the death of Kobe Bryant.
The Morning Newsletter
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As the spread of the coronavirus continued Thursday, Gov. Tom Wolf made another effort to slow it down. He ordered all Pennsylvania businesses that aren’t “life-sustaining” to close — allowing for just a select group to remain open. Meanwhile, experts are warning people not to expect things to return to “normal” any time soon. Their recommendation: think of the fight against coronavirus in terms of months, not weeks.
And normalcy has been elusive for Lower Merion basketball coach Gregg Downer. He hasn’t been able to feel whole since the death of his beloved friend Kobe Bryant.
— Ray Boyd (@RayBoydDigital, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
On Thursday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that he would extend his shutdown order to all businesses in Pennsylvania except those that are “life-sustaining.” It marks the state’s latest effort to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Wolf previously asked nonessential businesses to close. Now, he plans to enforce the order and will only allow physical operations for a selected group of businesses, which includes gas stations, farms, health-care facilities, and transit systems.
And for hospitals across the state, health researchers project that if the coronavirus outbreak peaks quickly over six months, Pennsylvania’s intensive care units will need many more beds than they can likely make available.
Experts say a return to “normal” life will not be smooth, and it won’t happen soon. The concept of social distancing is beginning to feel as familiar to many as it is disruptive and economically dreadful.
Public officials have called for a two- or three-week hiatus before reassessing the situation posed by the spread of the coronavirus. But experts have been running computer simulations and are now offering a reality check.
According to experts, no matter what steps are taken to fight the coronavirus now, COVID-19 will come roaring back when people resume their normal routines. And for workers across Philadelphia, their normal routines may be forever changed, as closures have left thousands of people jobless.
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Since the death of Kobe Bryant, Lower Merion coach Gregg Downer has struggled to get used to his new reality. In fact, for the first time in 30 years of coaching, Downer missed several practices and skipped watching film before a game. He had to attend the memorial services for Bryant and his daughter Gianna in Los Angeles.
Downer has seen a lot of amazing sports moments, but none stacks up to what he witnessed over 20 years from Bryant — the man he regards as his idol and hero.
My colleague Mike Sielski touched base with Downer to give him an outlet to open up about his “beloved Kobe.” He now feels he has a game plan for his life off the court thanks to lessons Bryant taught him.
That’s interesting
💰 The Eagles addressed a major position need Thursday, trading for Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay and inking him to a deal that makes him the highest-paid corner in the NFL.
🍰 A Delaware County bakery is creating some laughs amid the coronavirus outbreak by making cakes that resemble a certain item that’s been flying off grocery store shelves.
📚 The outbreak has also altered food critic Craig LaBan’s daily routine quite a bit. But he’s resourceful and stays connected to Philly restaurants and chefs through cookbooks.
👩🍳 Meanwhile, Philly chef Jennifer Carroll hopes her latest appearance on Bravo’s Top Chef provides a little stress relief during this difficult time. The new season premiered last night.
🎶 Artists like Coldplay, John Legend, and several Philly favorites are doing their part for social distancing by live-streaming at-home concerts to entertain fans during the pandemic.
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What you need to know today
Yesterday, the 76ers announced that three members of the organization tested positive for COVID-19. The team tested players, coaches and specific basketball operations support staff.
Across the country and here in the Philadelphia region, schools are facing an unprecedented challenge that is highlighting the divide between wealthy and poorer districts during.
Experts see telemedicine as a perfect remedy during this crisis to make sure people get treatment. Still, as some of the obstacles to its use fall rapidly, others remain stubbornly in place.
Meanwhile, the spread of the coronavirus has brought to light a troubling fact for Philadelphia’s homeless services and shelters — social distancing isn’t built into their models.
While several fixtures of daily life remain closed, a majority of essential services are still open and operating under a normal schedule. And more than half of Philly’s city workers are still on the job and will see an uptick in pay based on an agreement with Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration.
Beginning Sunday, SEPTA will make changes that will include reductions in service for buses, subways, trolleys, and the Norristown High Speed Line.
Opinions
“To deny any child access to education for any reason is a human rights violation. Holding one child back to advance another is nonfeasance. And that should be a non-starter for the 21st century.” — Jennifer Stefano of the Commonwealth Foundation and Broad + Liberty, on embracing innovation and choice while schools are closed.
Philadelphia Police Sgt. James O’Connor IV might still be alive if authorities acted sooner, the mother of another victim told my colleague Jenice Armstrong. O’Connor was killed as authorities attempted to serve a warrant on the man wanted in the killing of her son.
Opinion writer Abraham Gutman spoke with two experts to assess whether the social distancing necessitated by the coronavirus will lead to an uptick in deaths of despair in America.
What we’re watching ▶️
Need a break from binging shows on your streaming platform of choice? If you’re looking for some local storytelling that illuminates the spirit of our region, check out some of the work our visual journalists have been producing lately.
Have you wondered what life is like for Uber, Lyft, and taxi professionals with so many people staying home? My colleagues Patricia Madej and Raishad Hardnett examine this time of heightened anxiety for rideshare drivers. ▶️WATCH
My colleagues Stephanie Farr and Lauren Schneiderman team up to highlight some Philly florists who lifted spirits by giving away thousands of flowers set aside for events canceled due to the coronavirus. ▶️WATCH
Despite mounting cancellations, the coronavirus did not shut down the wedding of one Montgomery County couple whose love shined brightly even in this dark time. Stephan Salisbury shares the story with a video from Astrid Rodrigues and Miguel Martinez. ▶️WATCH
Your Daily Dose of | Art
Germantown artist Kambel Smith — who suffers from autism — is thrilled that his large-scale, intricate cardboard sculptures will now grace Philadelphia International Airport. And through this arrangement, he made a valuable connection that will further support his work.