Deadline for mail ballot application is today, apply at votesPA.com

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar reminded Pennsylvanians that today is the deadline to apply for a mail or absentee ballot for the Nov.3 election. Voters who still have their mail ballot are strongly encouraged to immediately hand-deliver their voted ballot to their county election office or other officially designated site, including drop boxes.

“If you haven’t already, voters with mail ballots should immediately hand-deliver your ballot to your county-designated location,” said Gov. Wolf. “Don’t wait until election day. Hand-delivering your own ballot now will give you the peace of mind that your vote will be counted, and your voice will be heard in this historic election.”

More than 3 million Pennsylvanians have applied to vote by mail, made possible by a new law the governor signed last year creating the most sweeping election reforms in 80 years.

Today is the deadline to apply for their ballot or apply in person for a ballot and vote early.  Counties will mail ballots to voters once the application is verified. The deadline to drop off their completed mail ballots is 8 p.m. on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.

“Pennsylvanians have more secure and accessible options for how they cast their ballot than ever before,” said Secretary Boockvar. “Whichever method you choose, the important thing is that you cast your ballot and have a say in our democracy.

As soon as the voter receives the mail ballot, the voter should:

• Read the instructions carefully.
• Fill out the ballot, being sure to follow instructions on how to mark selections.
• Seal the ballot in the white inner secrecy envelope that indicates “official ballot.” Make sure not to make any stray marks on the envelope.
• Then seal the inner secrecy envelope in the pre-addressed outer return envelope which the voter must sign.
• Complete and sign the voter’s declaration on the outside of the outer return envelope.
• For the ballot to be counted, it must be enclosed in both envelopes and the voter must sign the outer envelope.

Voters can find out information about the status of their ballot by contacting their county election office.

“Pennsylvania is well prepared, and we will have a fair election,” said Gov. Wolf. “Counting more than 3 million mail ballots may take more time than in past elections. All of us will need to be patient as county officials work tirelessly to ensure that all votes are counted. This could take a few days, but we must have accurate results.”

Voters who applied for and received a mail ballot and then decide they want to vote at the polls must bring their entire mail ballot packet with them to be voided, including both envelopes. They may then vote on their county’s voting system.

If a voter applies for a mail ballot but does not return it and no longer has the mail ballot and envelopes, they may 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.

Additionally, if a voter’s absentee or mail ballot is rejected for a reason other than their qualification or eligibility to vote, such as a missing signature or naked ballot, they may vote by provisional ballot.

Under Pennsylvania law, voters may only return their own mail ballot. 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 with a disability have several options for how to cast their ballots this election.

For voters with limited English proficiency, mail ballot applications are available in Spanish and Vietnamese. If voters have questions, or need translation services in other languages, they are encouraged to call the Department of State at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772).

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

Twenty two (22) new cases added Sunday and Monday in Lycoming County now at 950 cases, no new deaths, 31 total deaths, with 15,730 negatives according to DOH report.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19,

3,073 Two-Day Positives Bring Statewide Total to 195,695

Pennsylvanians Urged to Download COVID Alert PA App

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 26, that there were 1,407 new cases, in addition to 1,666 new cases reported Sunday, October 25 for a two-day total of 3,073 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 195,695. Daily increases are now comparable with what we saw in April 2020.

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 19 and October 25 is 241,113 with 10,410 positive cases. There were 34,763 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., October 24 and 26,683 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., October 25.

There were 12 new deaths reported Sunday, October 25, and 7 new deaths reported for Monday, October 26 for a total of 8,673 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 2,478 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 2,241,430 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 to present in October are available below:

• NC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 30 percent of cases so far in October;
• SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 15 percent of cases so far in October;
• NE – 6 percent of cases in April to approximately 17 percent of cases so far in October;
• SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 12 percent of cases so far in October;
• NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 16 percent of cases so far in October; and
• SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to 10 percent of cases so far in October.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 25,486 resident cases of COVID-19, and 5,522 cases among employees, for a total of 31,008 at 1,049 distinct facilities in 63 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,702 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 12,067 of our total cases are among health care workers.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, Oct. 25:

• Provided Pennsylvania State Police enforcement data.

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

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials

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.

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 16 – October 22 to the previous seven days, October 9 – October 15.

“Our percent positivity and incidence rate for the Commonwealth increased significantly in the midst of our fall resurgence,” Gov. Wolf said. “We cannot emphasize enough the importance of Pennsylvanians being united in taking actions to protect ourselves and others, such as wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, washing our hands and avoiding gatherings. It is only by working together that Pennsylvanians can prevent the spread of the virus.”

As of Thursday, October 22, the state has seen a seven-day case increase of 10,127 cases; the previous seven-day increase was 8,849 cases, indicating a 1,278-case increase over the previous week’s total.

The statewide percent-positivity went up to 5.0% from 4.2% last week. Counties with concerning percent-positivity include Huntingdon (12.0%), Bradford (11.2%), Lawrence (9.0%), Lebanon (8.7%), Westmoreland (8.4%), Perry (8.2%), Bedford (7.6%), Luzerne (7.5%), Schuylkill (7.5%), Tioga (7.2%), York (7.2%), Indiana (7.0%), Lackawanna (7.0%), Venango (7.0%), Mifflin (6.8%), Armstrong (6.7%), Berks (6.6%), Cumberland (6.6%), Montour (6.3%), Philadelphia (6.1%), Franklin (6.0%), Elk (5.9%), Washington (5.9%), Mercer (5.6%), Dauphin (5.5%), Susquehanna (5.5%), Blair (5.3%), Clinton (5.3%), Clarion (5.1%), Northumberland (5.1%). Each of these counties and the state bears watching as we continue to monitor all available data.

Community Transmission
As of Friday’s data, Berks, Bradford, Centre, Elk, Huntingdon, Lackawanna, Lawrence, Lebanon, Luzerne, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, and Westmoreland 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 22, nine counties were in the low level of transmission, 43 counties in the moderate level, with 15 with substantial transmission:

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

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 13,345 total cases of COVID-19 among 5 to 18-year-olds. Of that total, 1,183 occurred between October 16 – October 22. For the week of October 9 – October 15, there were 991 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 9,754 confirmed cases reported between October 11 and October 17, 29 percent (2,841) provided an answer to the question as to whether they spent time at a business establishment.

Of those who did provide an answer, 16.3 percent, or 464, answered yes, they visited a business establishment 14 days prior to onset of symptoms:

• 55 percent (256) of those who said yes reported going to a restaurant;
• 26 percent (122) of those who said yes reported going to some other business establishment;
• 13 percent (61) of those who said yes reported going to a bar;
• 11 percent (53) of those who said yes reported going to a gym/fitness center; and
• 7.5 percent (35) of those who said yes reported going to a salon/barbershop.

Of the 9,754 confirmed cases, 29 percent (2,856) answered the question as to whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event. Of the 29 percent, 16.9 percent (482) 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 19, this week’s data saw an increase in people going to a restaurant (55 percent vs. 50 percent last week). At 26 percent, numbers remained the same for people going to some other business. Numbers went down for this week’s data for people who reported going to a gym/fitness center (11 percent vs. 13 percent last week), going to a bar (13 percent vs. 14 percent last week) and down slightly for going to a salon or barbershop (7.5 percent vs. 8 percent last week). The number of those who attended a mass gathering or other large event increased to 17 percent from 16 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, with no states added or removed 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 upon return to Pennsylvania.

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.

On Saturday morning, Pastor Marwyn Reeves of Christ Community Worship Center, Inc. sent the following to this author in response to the article “Reeves and Freed linked through church and WASD”.

“GM, I hope you’re well this morning. I’m sending you a message in hope that you will rescind the article you wrote implicating unethical practices between my wife, my church and Roger Freed.

Since I was included with a picture, I now take this act of ignorance personally.

Have you read the book of Proverbs.

It has great wisdom literature worth delving into.

In chapter 6, the writer highlights things that God hates and I thought to share some of them with you; a lying tongue, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, a false witness, and those that sow discord among brethren.

Based on what I have heard from others concerning you, you fulfill all of these qualities and are in a very poor place in God’s eyes.

What you have written is an assault on the vision God gave to me.

I see how you operate and am glad that I refrained from using my time to take part in your game play and politicizing.

Only a fool would publish something like this in an attempt to malign a man of God and his ministry.

Roger Freed has not been a member of our church for more than a year.

He has not served in any capacity since that time.

I don’t know what Roger is doing nor do I know where he is attending.

I’m not a part of anything he is doing and not is he a part of anything I am doing.

This alone makes your comments a stab in the dark.

Again, I’m asking you to rescind your article. I’ve only given you a bone due to your lack of research and veracity.

If you do not rescind, you will leave me no choice but to take legal action,

and you don’t want that.

I am a seeker of truth.

Anything that we (my wife & myself) do involves the truth.

We don’t build our home, our family, our faith, our Child Care Center or our lives on lies.

Scripture says be careful how you answer a fool in his folly, lest you become partaker with him. I’ve answered and choose to be removed as far away from you as possible.”

 

At this writing, the link to CCWC MINISTRIES on the Christ Community Worship Center, Inc. website still reflects Roger Freed in multiple capacities with the church.

So the truth is, Christ Community Worship Center, Inc. is providing misinformation to the general public.

Talkwilliamsport.com has confirmed Marwyn Reeves, Pastor of Christ Community Worship Center, Inc. was provided a detailed report of the events in Myrtle Beach by a non-family member in the days leading up to the WASD school board meeting where a motion was made for a third party investigation into that case.

That motion did not receive a second.

As a clergy member, Marwyn Reeves is a mandated reporter.

Most civil litigation involves the “discovery” process. Within that process usually includes production of items such as documents, e-mails, phone records and text messages as a few examples.

The next WASD school board meeting is Tuesday evening in the Williamsport Area High School auditorium.