State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement October 30-November 1: 288 Compliance Checks; 20 Notices of Violation

 
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 288 licensed liquor establishments from Friday, October 30 through Sunday, November 1 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include social distancing, masking, and other health and safety requirements of the liquor code.
Liquor Control Enforcement Officers issued 20 notices of violation and 43 warnings for failing to follow COVID-19 requirements. As mandated by the liquor code, a notice of violation precedes the issuance of an administrative citation, which is civil in nature, and is intended to provide licensed liquor establishments notification of the nature of violation(s) discovered. The investigation remains open during this period, pending review by the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement (BLCE). Because the investigation is ongoing, names of establishments issued a notice of violation will not be released at this time. Each BLCE district office posts a monthly public information release that includes details on citations issued by that office.
Compliance checks are unannounced and can occur anywhere in the commonwealth, although the focus is on areas experiencing higher coronavirus transmission rates. Among other requirements, all businesses and employees in the restaurant and retail food service industry authorized to conduct in-person activities are mandated to:
  • Require all customers to wear masks while entering, exiting or otherwise traveling throughout the restaurant or retail food service business (face masks may be removed while seated). Further, employees are required to wear masks at all times.
  • Provide at least six feet between parties at tables or physical barriers between customers where booths are arranged back to back.
  • Ensure maximum occupancy limits for indoor and outdoor areas are posted and enforced.
Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement | October 30 – November 1, 2020
​TOTAL LICENSEE CHECKS
WARNINGS RELATED TO COVID-19 MITIGATION EFFORTS
NOTICES OF VIOLATION RELATED TO COVID-19 MITIGATION EFFORTS
1-Philadelphia
​53
6
0
2-Wilkes-Barre
56
3
4
3-Harrisburg
35
8
5
4-Pittsburgh
72
5
1
5-Altoona
21
0
0
6-Williamsport
8
6
1
7-Punxsutawney
5
4
1
8-Erie
10
5
3
9-Allentown
28
6
5
TOTALS
288
43
20
Violators may face administrative citation by the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement. Continued violations put an establishment’s liquor license at risk, either through the citation process or upon application for renewal. More information is available on the enforcement page of the state police COVID-19 portal.
Complaints regarding licensees not complying with COVID-19 mitigation mandates may be directed to the BLCE at 1-800-932-0602 or reported through the BLCE’s online complaint form.

PA Voters Who Did Not Receive Their Mail Ballot Should Vote at the Polls

Harrisburg, Pa.  – Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar today alerted Pennsylvania voters who applied for but have not received their mail ballot that they can vote by provisional ballot at their polling place on Election Day.

“Do not worry – if you haven’t received your mail or absentee ballot you will not lose your right to vote,” Secretary Boockvar said. “Anyone who hasn’t received their mail ballot should go to their polling place on Election Day and vote by provisional ballot. Your ballot will be counted if you are a qualified voter who has not already cast a ballot.”

Polls are open tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can find their polling place on the Department of State’s voting website, votesPA.com.

Any voter who has received but not yet returned their mail ballot should do so immediately by hand-delivering it to their county election officesatellite election office or other designated drop-off location. Voted mail ballots will not be accepted at polling places.

Voters must make sure that they enclose their mail ballot first in the white inner secrecy envelope and seal it, then insert the inner envelope into the outer pre-printed return envelope, and sign and complete the voter’s declaration on the outer  envelope. Voters must complete all these steps for their ballot to be counted.

Under Pennsylvania law, voters may only return their own ballots. The only exceptions to this are for voters with a disability who have designated someone in writing to deliver their ballot, or for voters who need an emergency absentee ballot.

Voters who applied for and receive a mail ballot and then decide they want to vote at the polls on Election Day can change their mind, but they should bring their mail or absentee ballot and the outer ballot envelopes to be voided by the poll worker. They may then vote on their county’s voting system.

If a voter applies for a mail ballot but does not return it and does not bring the mail ballot and envelopes with them, they may still vote by provisional ballot at the polls on election day. Their county board of elections will then verify that they did not vote by mail before counting their provisional ballot.

For more information on voting and elections in Pennsylvania, call the Department of State’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit votesPA.com.

November 2, 2020 – Department of Health Report

Nineteen (19) new cases added Sunday and Monday in Lycoming County now at 1,014 cases, no new deaths, 32 total deaths, with 16,244 negatives according to DOH report.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19:

3,969 Two-Day Positives Bring Statewide Total to 211,996

Pennsylvanians Urged to Download COVID Alert PA App

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., November 2, that there were 2,060 new cases, in addition to 1,909 new cases reported Sunday, November 1 for a two-day total of 3,969 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 211,996. Daily increases are now the highest they have ever been since the start of the pandemic.

The most accurate daily data is available on the website, with archived data also available.

The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between October 26 and November 1 is 257,836 with 15,907 positive cases. There were 35,182 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., October 31 and 25,395 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., November 1.

There were five new deaths reported Sunday, November 1, and six new deaths reported for Monday, November 2 for a total of 8,823 deaths attributed to COVID-19. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

There are 3,644 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 647 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.

There are 2,338,664 individuals who have tested negative to date. Of those who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

  • Approximately 1% are ages 0-4;
  • Approximately 2% are ages 5-12;
  • Approximately 5% are ages 13-18;
  • Nearly 14% are ages 19-24;
  • Nearly 36% are ages 25-49;
  • Approximately 21% are ages 50-64; and
  • Nearly 21% are ages 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.

The department has seen significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds. An alert was sent to healthcare providers about the changing COVID-19 case demographics. Increases among 19 to 24-year-olds from April through the end of October are available below:

  • NC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 28 percent of cases in October;
  • NE – 6 percent of cases in April to approximately 16 percent of cases in October;
  • SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 14 percent of cases in October;
  • SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 12 percent of cases in October;
  • NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 14 percent of cases in October; and
  • SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 12 percent of cases in October.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 26,373 resident cases of COVID-19, and 5,691 cases among employees, for a total of 32,064 at 1,078 distinct facilities in 63 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,810 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 12,527 of our total cases are among health care workers.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, Nov. 1:

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean surfaces frequently.
  • Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
  • If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
  • Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.

Pennsylvania COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring Dashboard Update for Oct. 23 – Oct. 29

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today released a weekly status update detailing the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard. Updates are released each Monday.

The update includes the following:

  • Level of community transmission as a basis for the recommendations for Pre-K to 12 schools to determine instructional models.
  • Data on cases among 5-18-year-olds.
  • Cases that reported visiting a business among potential locations where exposures may have occurred.
  • Updated travel recommendations.

The dashboard is designed to provide early warning signs of factors that affect the state’s mitigation efforts. The data available on the early warning monitoring dashboard includes week-over-week case differences, incidence rates, test percent-positivity, and rates of hospitalizations, ventilations and emergency room visits tied to COVID-19. This week’s update compares the period of October 23 – October 29 to the previous seven days, October 16 – October 22.

“As we have entered a fall resurgence in Pennsylvania, we see case counts on the rise in our counties,” Gov. Wolf said. “We cannot relax our mitigation efforts. We call on Pennsylvanians to wear a mask, wash their hands frequently, practice social distancing, avoid gatherings, download the COVID Alert PA app, and answer the call when a public health professional or case investigator call. Together, we are united in this fight and can work to mitigate the spread of this dangerous virus.”

As of Thursday, October 29, the state has seen a seven-day case increase of 14,516 cases; the previous seven-day increase was 10,127 cases, indicating 4,389 more new cases across the state over the past week compared to the previous week.

The statewide percent-positivity went up to 6.1% from 5.0% last week. Counties with concerning percent-positivity include Bradford (12.4%), Armstrong (11.9%), Schuylkill (11.1%), Franklin (10.3%), Indiana (9.8%), Lebanon (9.7%), Berks (9.3%), Tioga (9.3%), Huntingdon (9.1%), Venango (8.7%), Wyoming (8.1%), Bedford (8.0%), Fulton (7.8%), Philadelphia (7.8%), Luzerne (7.7%), Jefferson (7.6%), Mifflin (7.6%), Potter (7.3%), Washington (7.3%), Westmoreland (7.2%), York (7.2%), Delaware (6.9%), Lawrence (6.8%), Dauphin (6.6%), Elk (6.4%), Centre (6.1%), Butler (6.0%), Lehigh (6.0%), Mercer (6.0%), Clearfield (5.8%), Lackawanna (5.8%), Lancaster (5.8%), Blair (5.6%), Sullivan (5.6%), Monroe (5.4%), Northumberland (5.4%), Erie (5.3%), Cumberland (5.2%), Snyder (5.2%), and Somerset (5.1%). Each of these counties and the state as a whole bears watching as the state continues to monitor all available data.

Community Transmission
As of Friday’s data, Armstrong, Berks, Blair, Bradford, Cambria, Centre, Crawford, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Lackawanna, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Mifflin, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, Tioga, Venango, Westmoreland, Wyoming, and York counties were in the substantial level of community transmission. The departments of Education and Health will speak with school district representatives in these counties to discuss the implications of this level of transmission.

For the week ending October 29, five counties were in the low level of transmission, 36 counties in the moderate level, with 26 with substantial transmission:

  • Low – Cameron, Forest, Sullivan, Warren, and Wayne.
  • Moderate – Adams, Allegheny, Beaver, Bedford, Bucks, Butler, Carbon, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Greene, Jefferson, Juniata, Lancaster, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Pike, Potter, Snyder, Somerset, Susquehanna, Union, and Washington.
  • Substantial – Armstrong, Berks, Blair, Bradford, Cambria, Centre, Crawford, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Lackawanna, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Mifflin, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, Tioga, Venango, Westmoreland, Wyoming, and York.

Cases Among 5-18-Year-Olds
The Department of Health is providing weekly data on the number of statewide cases of COVID-19 among 5 to 18-year-olds.

Throughout the pandemic, there have been 14,530 total cases of COVID-19 among 5 to 18-year-olds. Of that total, 1,185 occurred between October 23 – October 29. For the week of October 16 – October 22, there were 1,183 cases of COVID-19 among 5 to 18-year-olds.

Cases by demographic group is available on the DOH website.

Business Visits
The Department of Health is providing weekly data on the number of individuals who responded to case investigators that they spent time at business establishments (restaurants, bars, gym/fitness centers, salon/barbershops) and at mass gatherings 14 days prior to the onset of COVID-19 symptoms.

Of the 11,926 confirmed cases reported between October 18 and October 24, 23.6 percent (2,809) provided an answer to the question as to whether they spent time at a business establishment.

Of those who did provide an answer, 4.1 percent, or 489, answered yes, they visited a business establishment 14 days prior to onset of symptoms:

  • 57 percent (278) of those who said yes reported going to a restaurant;
  • 28 percent (135) of those who said yes reported going to some other business establishment;
  • 14 percent (70) of those who said yes reported going to a gym/fitness center;
  • 12 percent (58) of those who said yes reported going to a bar; and
  • 6 percent (29) of those who said yes reported going to a salon/barbershop.

Of the 11,926 confirmed cases, 24 percent (2,823) answered the question as to whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event. Of the 24 percent, 18.2 percent (514) answered yes to whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event 14 days prior to onset of symptoms.

Compared to data reported on October 26, this week’s data saw an increase in people going to a restaurant (57 percent vs. 55 percent last week), going to some other business establishment (28 percent vs. 26 percent), and going to a gym/fitness center (14 percent vs. 11 percent). Numbers went down for this week’s data for people who reported going to a bar (12 percent vs. 13 percent last week) and going to a salon or barbershop (6 percent vs. 7.5 percent last week). The number of those who attended a mass gathering or other large event decreased to 24 percent from 29 percent last week.

The numbers above highlight business settings and mass gatherings as possible sites for transmission. With less than half of those asked about what types of businesses they visited or if they attended a mass gathering responding to the question, the department is reminding Pennsylvanians that it is essential that people answer the phone when case investigators call and to provide full and complete information to these clinical professionals.

Travel Recommendations
Also today, the Department of Health updated its travel recommendations, originally announced on July 2, to add Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Texas from the list of states recommended for domestic travelers returning from to quarantine for 14 days upon return to Pennsylvania.

It is important that people understand that this recommendation is in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. A concerning number of recent cases have been linked to travel, and if people are going to travel, we need them to take steps to protect themselves, their loved ones and their community, and that involves quarantining.

Gov. Wolf continues to prioritize the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians through the COVID-19 pandemic. Pennsylvanians should continue to take actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, regardless of in what county they live. This includes wearing a mask or face covering anytime they are in public. COVID-19 has been shown to spread easily in the air and contagious carriers can be asymptomatic.

Wolf Admin. Issues Grants to Shelters Serving Families Without Homes, Domestic Violence Survivors to Facilitate Greater Technology Access

Secretary of Human Services Teresa Miller answers questions from the press.Governor Tom Wolf announced that people with intellectual disabilities and autism and the providers of support services for these vulnerable Pennsylvanians will receive $260 million in CARES Act funding to help continue to provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Wolf was joined by Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller, who outlined to details of funding allocations. JUNE 15, 2020 – HARRISBURG, PA

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today announced the distribution of more than $400,000 in grant funding to shelters serving families experiencing homelessness, domestic violence survivors and their families, and others across Pennsylvania to improve internet access and support purchase of computer equipment for parents and children to use while staying at the shelter. This funding will allow parents at these centers to look for jobs, housing, and other necessary services and for children to participate in educational services and programing, especially as some schools continue to operate blended or virtual learning models.

“We live in an increasingly digital age, and as COVID-19 is requiring limited social interaction, greater barriers are created for families that do not have reliable access to technology. This can make it harder for parents to pursue employment, education and training, and other supportive services and for children to participate in virtual learning and stay on top of homework assignments,” said DHS Secretary Teresa Miller. “These grants will help families in difficult situations access technology and services necessary to break down barriers and continue looking towards the future.”

Fifty-nine family homeless, women’s, and domestic violence shelters in 28 counties received $420,375 in grant funding distributed by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) to support the purchase of or improvements to internet and wireless access, computer equipment and supplies, and family engagement materials and activities for parents and children to use while in shelter. Centers awarded and funding totals is available here.

The lack of technology in homeless shelters can result in parents’, guardians’, and caregivers’ inability to search for and find permanent housing, apply for jobs, find medical care and access tele-health services, access other public assistance benefits and supportive services, and access email. Children staying at a shelter also have a critical need for internet access to participate in education programming and complete homework, particularly due to schools operating on blended and virtual learning models due to COVID-19.

The Pennsylvania Early Childhood Homelessness Task Force recognized the significant lack of access to technology in family homeless shelters across the commonwealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, and raised these concerns to the attention of the Pennsylvania Head Start State Collaboration Office, which received approval to utilize Federal Preschool Development Grant Birth through 5 (PDG) funding in lieu of projects being halted due to COVID-19. The PDG funding was approved to offer grants up to $10,000 to family homeless shelters serving families with children under 5 years-old.

The PDG is awarded to and is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). OCDEL is a dual deputate between PDE and DHS.

“Ensuring that all families have access to the tools and resources needed for learning during COVID-19 creates a sense of normalcy and engagement for children,” said PDE Acting Secretary Noe Ortega. “It is especially important that OCDEL and their partners target these resources to families who have the most need.”

The Pennsylvania Early Childhood Homelessness Task Force formed in 2018 to identify opportunities across the commonwealth to increase the number of young children living in shelters connected to early learning programs and provide support to both the early childhood education and family shelter communities.

For more information about early learning programs across Pennsylvania, visit www.raiseyourstar.org.

Veterans Temporary Assistance Program Provides Financial Relief to Veterans, Beneficiaries Facing Unexpected Hardship

 Harrisburg, PA – Eligible Pennsylvania veterans and their beneficiaries who face an unexpected financial need for the necessities of life such as food, shelter, fuel and clothing can find help through the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ (DMVA) Veterans Temporary Assistance (VTA) program.

“Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn resulting in a financial hardship, but Pennsylvania veterans don’t have to face adversity alone or go without basic necessities,” said Maj. Gen. (ret.) Eric Weller, deputy adjutant general for Veterans Affairs. “The VTA can help veterans and their beneficiaries stay safe and healthy during unforeseen circumstances like loss of income, a sickness or a disability.”

Eligible veterans or their beneficiaries can qualify for an amount not to exceed $1,600 in a 12-month period. Eligibility requirements include: a person who served in the Armed Forces of the United States (discharged under honorable conditions), died in service or was killed in action, or suffered a service-connected disability.

“The current COVID-19 pandemic, a fire or a flood are prime examples of something unforeseen that can cause a financial hardship and qualify people for VTA,” said Weller.

To apply, contact the County Veterans Affairs Director in the county you reside.

For more information about the program’s criteria, eligibility and needed documentation, go to Veterans Temporary Assistance. Learn more about the DMVA by visiting us online at www.dmva.pa.gov or follow us at www.facebook.com/padmva or www.twitter.com/padmva.

Monday afternoon Guest list announced for 24-hour digital Trump Rally

Photo: PA State Representative Russ Diamond

The Monday afternoon guest list for the 24-hour digital Trump Rally hosted by TalkWilliamsport.com, Pennsylvania Patriots Radio and Normal America with Rob Noerr which kicked-off at 8 a.m. on Monday. is as follows:

Conservative Filmmaker Robbie Starbuck 12:30 PM

PA State Representative Russ Diamond 1:00 PM

Lycoming County Republican Committee Chairman Vince Matteo 1:30 PM

Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughn 2:00 PM

Clinton County Republican Committee Chairman Kurt Smith 2:30 PM

Additional guests will be announced as the day progresses.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Whistleblower sheds light on possible DOH voter suppression effort in Pennsylvania – PART I

By: Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com
News@TalkWilliamsport.com
Talkwilliamsport.com spoke exclusively to a whistleblower who works in the Covid-19 contact tracing program.

“Pennsylvanians are receiving letters from the Department of Health to quarantine for 14 days, for those who may have been in contact with a person with a COVID-19 positive test result.

The letters fail to provide any guidance on how to vote in-person.”

When asked how the Pennsylvania Covid-19 contact tracing program operates? The whistleblower responded:

“It is not being done in good faith.”

Specifically, residents in Dauphin, Lebanon and York counties have been receiving letters to this effect due to local government mandates requiring a written notification from the Department of Health.

Residents in other counties contacted TalkWilliamsport.com over the past week saying they received phone calls from the DOH as well as contact tracers to remain quarantined for at least 14 days.

TalkWilliamsport.com has obtained copies of the scripts Contact Tracers are currently using and this question appears in the script. Note that the script is version #11 and is in current use.

QUARANTINE

“Because you <or minor> came in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you <or minor> will need to quarantine for 14 days since your <his/her/their> last encounter with that person. Your <his/her/their> quarantine will be from now until <last date of the monitoring period>.”

ACCEPT

“This official quarantine order on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Health means you <or minor> need to remain in your home away from others, except if you <he/she/they> need to seek medical care. There may be
exceptions to this order if you are designated as a health care worker or a critical infrastructure worker.
You <or minor> may go in your yard only if you <he/she/they> can stay at least 6 feet from your neighbors.

If you live in an apartment, you <minor> may not leave, because you cannot be in the common areas of the building
where others might be, such as the elevator or hallway.

People who have been in contact with you <or minor> do not have to quarantine.

However, if you live in a household with other people try to maintain a distance greater than 6 feet and wear a mask whenever possible.”

 

REFUSE

“The Department of Health is required to send you an official letter. We will send the letter to you by email. Can you verify this is your email?”

If email cannot be obtained: “We can send the letter by mail. Can you verify your address?”

If contact says they have tested negative for COVID-19 and therefore don’t think they need to quarantine:

“Even if you <or minor> tested negative, it is still possible for you <him/her/them> to present positive results within a 14-day period. Given that you have <or minor has> been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, it is very important that you <or minor> quarantine and keep track of how you’re <they’re> feeling in case you <or minor> develop(s) any symptoms.”

End call and make notes.

Inform district resource account/checkbox to send letter.”

CT Script V11 10-22-20

 

TalkWilliamsport.com has also obtained a letter from a resident in one of the previously noted counties from July outlining what could occur in a quarantine non-compliance situation.

 

 

BACKGROUND

On August 3, 2020, it was announced the Pennsylvania Department of Health awarded a $23 million contract to Insight Global to provide 1,000 paid contact tracing staff to help fight Covid-19.

According to an article published by StaffingIndustry.com:

“Across Pennsylvania, we have dedicated public health professionals who truly are the backbone of contact tracing, and this expansion of the contact tracing team will only support, strengthen and expand their efforts,” Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said.

Insight Global will work with the department to recruit, interview, hire, train and support contact tracers, contact tracer supervisors and care resource manager positions. All positions will be remote.

Hourly rates for these jobs will range from $18 to $22 for contact tracers and from $22 to $24 for both contact tracing supervisors and care resource managers. Positions will be both full-time and part-time.

The statement of work that was negotiated is for up to 1,000 staff for a five-month contract, although the purchase order is stretched over a 12-month period. This will allow Pennsylvania to add, maintain and subtract the amount of staff needed to support contact-tracing efforts.

Recruitment will be focused on workers who lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Pennsylvania already had 654 contract tracers across the state prior to the hiring of the 1,000 under the Insight Global deal.

 

From the DOH website:

The Department of Health, in partnership with Insight Global, is recruiting, interviewing, hiring, training, and supporting contact tracers, contact tracer supervisors, and care resource manager positions. Both full- and part-time positions will be offered as needed and will provide ongoing skill development and training for those interested in public health careers. Please find any open contact tracing staff positions below.

Insight Global based in Atlanta, Georgia has three Pennsylvania locations, King of Prussia, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

From the Insight Global website:

HEALTHCARE

Insight Global provides Talent Management Services across all segments of the Healthcare Industry, developing strong client and consultant relationships since our inception.

Government Services

Insight Global actively supports over 400 programs within the public sector, including past performance across all IT, finance, and engineering disciplines with a specific focus on:

  • Cyber security network engineering
  • Administration applications
  • Software development and engineering
  • Helpdesk/desktop
  • AV/VTC systems engineering
  • PMO support
  • Finance and accounting
  • Mechanical/electrical/maritime engineering
  • Intelligence operations
  • EMR/EHR implementation, optimization, and support Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Electronic Health Record (EHR)

PROBLEMS WITH THE COVID-19 CONTACT TRACING PROGRAM FROM THE START

The COVID-19 pandemic really came into the forefront in Pennsylvania in March 2020 with massive lockdowns of businesses and schools implemented and codified by Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine.

According to the whistleblower, the impetus for the program was to “reopen the state safely and provide the data to do so, calls were to be made to those in contact with COVID-19 positive cases.”

As of today, that is simply not the case.

“One or two calls are being made on a daily basis and no real work is being done even though the money has already been spent”, the whistleblower added.

“Multiple tracers are in contact with the same case.”

 

SOFTWARE CHANGES CONSTANTLY

With all of the infrastructure (noted above) Insight Global brings to the table with a $23 million dollar contract in hand; have any of the existing models using “EMR/EHR implementation, optimization, and support Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Electronic Health Record (EHR)” been deployed in Pennsylvania?

According to the whistleblower, absolutely not.

Instead the PA Department of Health and Insight Global began using a new platform and recently transitioned to Salesforce.

Salesforce is software that is used as a customer relationship management service.

The whistleblower stated, “the software seems to change weekly due to the issues integrating information from the SARALERT database where people are texting or e-mailing to report symptoms.”

“As software changes, information gets deleted or lost in the transition each time”, according to the whistleblower.

 

QUESTIONS FROM CONTRACT TRACERS CAUSE CONCERNS

The Pennsylvania Department of Health state in its website, “A Contact Tracer Will Never Ask You For: Your personal information”, does sexual orientation qualify as a personal question?

Does the sexual orientation of a five year old child qualify as a personal question or even relevant to COVID-19?

From the TalkWilliamsport.com obtained copies of the scripts Contact Tracers are currently using and this question appears in the script. Note that the script is version #11 and is in current use.

CT Script V11 10-22-20

“In order to be able to follow-up with you and connect you to resources if needed, we have a few questions for you. Some questions might be personal, but it is important information so that we can address health disparities and connect all individuals to the resources they may need.”

According to the whistleblower, “the focus of questions has recently changed to those about sexuality and orientation. The reason being, the DOH wants to see if the LGBTQ community is being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.”

From the DOH script obtained by TalkWilliamsport.com:

“SEXUAL ORIENTATION & GENDER IDENTITY
“I am going to ask you some questions related to your gender identity and sexual orientation.
This information is important to collect as it helps divert resources to vulnerable communities.”
“What is your <or minor’s> gender?
“What is your <or minor’s> sexual orientation?”
“Do you <or minor> identify as transgender?”
Allow the contact to answer questions without reading each option.”

“If contact asks for clarification on why the department is collecting this information or if LGBT people are wary of discrimination or harassment explain that: Collecting this data confirms that there are LGBT people who need healthcare support in Pennsylvania. LGBT activists have advocated for this data collection, because it helps ensure the health and wellbeing of LGBT people.”

If LBGTQ questions are being posed by Contact Tracers, should those of ethnicity or religious affiliation be asked as well?

Why did the Pennsylvania Department of Health and its contractor Insight Global wait until October 2020 to being asking sexual orientation questions when Governor Wolf announced on May 13, 2020 it would be included in COVID-19 data collection?

Whatever happened to the Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps announced on May 6, 2020 to Support Fall COVID-19 Recovery Efforts?

EXCLUSIVE: Whistleblower sheds light on possible DOH voter suppression effort in Pennsylvania – PART II is forthcoming.

Guest list announced for 24-hour digital Trump Rally

Photo: Attorney Marc Scaringi (left) & Wendy Bell, Talk Show Host (right)

The guest list for the 24-hour digital Trump Rally hosted by TalkWilliamsport.com, Pennsylvania Patriots Radio and Normal America with Rob Noerr which kicked-off at 8 a.m. on Monday. is as follows:

Attorney Marc Scaringi 9:00 AM

Lycoming County Republican Committeeman Paul Cady 9:30 AM

President of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity and the co-editor of its Hotline Phil Kerpen 10:30 AM

Bradford County Commissioner Doug McLinko 11:00 AM

Department of Health Press Conference 11:30 AM

Wendy Bell, Talk Show Host Noon

Additional guests will be announced as the day progresses.

Pennsylvania Patriots Radio kicks off 24-hour digital Trump Rally

Join TalkWilliamsport.com, Pennsylvania Patriots Radio and Normal America with Rob Noerr as they kick-off a 24-hour digital Trump Rally at 8 a.m. on Monday.
The guest list will continue to be updated throughout the show.
Links to follow the show are listed below.
LYCOMING COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN Vince Matteo will be our guest on the show tomorrow..
Tune in at 11am, here—>> talkwilliamsport.com > Listen Live > Live Audio,
or
Live stream on the Normal America YouTube Channel—>> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk5FG43QxbVIuXaU4xZdgcw