COVID-19 Update: Case numbers drop; Wolf relaxes some lockdown rules

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa The worst may — may — be over in Pennsylvania and Chester County’s battle against COVID-19. New case numbers both statewide and locally appear to have at least plateaued, if not shown signs of slowing, prompting Gov. Tom Wolf to announce Monday the first small moves to relax the general shut down in the state. The state’s Liquor Control Board...

Does the GOP care more about money or whether you die?

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Is it greed or just flat out stupidity? When you have to hope it is the latter, but have a sense it is the former, you get a pit in your stomach at the realization. A fundamental premise of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania is this: “Making money is more important than saving lives.” As long as their corporate overlords are served (and those...

Mushroom Festival cancelled for 2020 due to pandemic

KENNETT SQUARE — For the first time in its history, the annual Kennett Square Mushroom Festival — scheduled this year for Sept. 12-13, 2020 — will be canceled, due to increasing safety concerns expressed by its Board of Directors in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The board’s decision to cancel this year’s festival dovetails with the nearly global cancellation of nearly all...

What To Do: Stuck at home? Visit the UK, virtually

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Buckingham Palace With the “shelter in place” order brought about because of the COVID-19 pandemic, you can no longer go outside into the world. But you can bring the world inside to you. You can make virtual visits to cities, museums, amusement parts, cultural sites and a wide variety of other destinations. Here are several suggestions of places...

COVID-19 Update, April 17: Wolf reveals reopen plan; Chesco Coroner says deaths 2X higher than previously revealed; new case numbers spike

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Hopes that the COVID-19 pandemic might be coming under control were dampened as both Pennsylvania and Chester County reported higher infection numbers for the second straight day — and it appears the death toll in Chester County has been much higher than previously reported. Still, Friday, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled a three-phase plan to eventually reopen the state. Wolf...

COVID-19 Update, April 16: State, county numbers grow again, after stalling

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Amidst calls to start reopening the economy, there is growing evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic is not on the wane, as new numbers suggest growth statewide and, alarmingly, here in in Chester County. A day after state officials signed an order mandating employee protections for the remaining businesses allowed open, the state saw a spike in COVID-19 cases, with...

Music Spotlight: Gilbert O’Sullivan ‘alone again’ after shutdown stalls US tour

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Gilbert O’Sullivan With the “shelter in place” order necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are finding themselves alone because of the restrictions. Being “alone” can offer a welcome respite from an ultra-busy schedule. Being “alone” as a full-time option is a different story – especially when it’s mandated by...

COVID-19 Update, April 15: Pa. case numbers slide, as cases, deaths tick up in Chester Co.

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times As the state legislature debates a bill that would reopen some Pennsylvania businesses, statewide cases continued a slow slide, as fatalities continued to mount — and Chester County saw an uptick in both cases and deaths from COVID-19. The sate Department of Health (DOH) reported 1,145 new positive cases — bringing the statewide total to 26,490 — and 63 new...

Chesco, Delco ask state for limits on Mariner East II pipeline work waivers

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times The county governments of Chester and Delaware counties asked the state Monday to withdraw any waivers that would allow construction on the Mariner East II pipeline to continue during Gov. Tom Wolf’s order that all “non life-sustaining” business shutter during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering concerns that the company is ignoring health protocols and could...

COVID-19 will change a lot for your dental/medical providers

By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times I don’t have to tell anyone that the world we knew just a few short weeks ago has been forever altered thanks to a tiny viral invader. What’s important to know is that many changes need to be made as a result of how we as a country handled this. Now – before anyone looks for me with pitchforks and torches, I am not on a political...