Fauci: US taking hard look at  variant of coronavirus

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Look Back: Teen fatally shot during 1929 holiday season

WILKES-BARRE &mdash; The Wolf Administration this week urged Pennsylvanians to prepare for the health impacts that winter weather and extreme cold temperatures can have on their bodies.
				&ldquo;Winter is here, and Pennsylvanians have already seen temperatures below freezing and measurable snow fall,&rdquo; said Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine. &ldquo;As the weather trends colder and we move to more indoor activities, we can expect an increase in the number of people with respiratory illnesses. Historically, we see increased cases of the flu in the winter, but this year, we remain concerned about the continued increase of COVID-19 cases.&rdquo;
				Levine said this winter will be unlike any we have ever experienced with the ongoing pandemic and can be stressful for many people. Feeling emotional and nervous or having trouble sleeping or eating can all be normal reactions to stress. It is important to remember that it is okay to not be okay.
				Healthy ways to cope with stress include:
				Taking care of yourself by eating healthy, well-balanced meals, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep and giving yourself breaks;
				Talking to others about how you feel;
				Avoiding drugs and alcohol;
				Taking breaks from items causing you stress, such as the news and social media;
				Recognizing when you need professional help.
				Being active during the winter has a number of health benefits. A few ways to be active this winter include online fitness classes from home with friends and family, walking and working out at home.
				&ldquo;Being exposed to extreme cold temperatures can also lead to additional health risks,&rdquo; Levine said. &ldquo;Given the unprecedented health concerns going into this winter, it is important to get prepared now. I encourage everyone to follow mitigation efforts, be aware of your stress levels, remain active and take steps to eat healthy, balanced meals.&rdquo;
				Wintertime in Pennsylvania often features snow, blizzards, freezing rain, sleet, ice storms, blustery winds and frigid temperatures.
				&ldquo;Winter weather can change quickly in Pennsylvania, so it&rsquo;s important to know what you might see when you walk outside in winter,&rdquo; said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. &ldquo;Identify your local trusted weather source now, and check your local forecast frequently, since a small shift in the direction of a storm can significantly change the hazards in your community.&rdquo;
				The most common cold-related problems are hypothermia and frostbite. Try to stay indoors as much as possible, but if you go outside:
				Make outdoor trips brief and dress warm in layers;
				Cover your ears, head, mouth and face;
				Never ignore shivering &#8211; it&rsquo;s your body&rsquo;s way of saying you&rsquo;re losing heat and it&rsquo;s time to return indoors;
				Know the symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite:
				Hypothermia causes shivering, exhaustion, confusion, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness in adults and bright red, cold skin and very low energy in babies.
				Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas, and symptoms include a white or grayish-yellow area of skin, numbness or skin that feels unusually firm or waxy.
				Seek medical attention if it is suspected that you or your loved ones have hypothermia or frostbite.
				Infants and older Pennsylvanians are at greater risk of serious cold-related health issues and should be checked frequently to ensure they are warm enough during cold weather.
				Provide warm clothing for infants and make sure that those younger than 1 year old never sleep in a cold room, because they lose body heat more easily than adults and are unable to make enough body heat by shivering.
				Older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity. If you are over 65 years of age, check the temperature in your home often during extremely cold weather.
				For more information on how to deal with the winter weather and extreme cold temperatures, visit www.health.pa.gov or follow the Department of Health on Facebook and Twitter.
				Programs available
				for the unemployed
				The Departments of Labor & Industry (L&I) and Human Services (DHS) and the United Way of Pennsylvania want Pennsylvanians to know there are state and local programs and resources available for those who are unemployed.
				&ldquo;The COVID-19 pandemic has brought hardship to hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians, including many who have never been unemployed before and don&rsquo;t know where to turn for help with housing, food, and other human service needs,&rdquo; said L&I Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier. &ldquo;The United Way of Pennsylvania&rsquo;s 211 program is an excellent tool for Pennsylvanians who need to locate their local food bank, shelter program, or other support service. By working together, L&I, DHS and the United Way of PA hope to provide every Pennsylvanian with access to the support they need to get through this pandemic.&rdquo;
				To quickly search resources by ZIP code through the United Way of Pennsylvania&rsquo;s 211 Program, visit pa211.org. Pennsylvanians can also dial 211 or text their ZIP code to 898-211 to connect to a resource specialist for free to get information about programs in their community and receive the emergency assistance they need.
				&ldquo;Pennsylvanians who are losing unemployment benefits may need help with basic needs like food, utilities and housing, and not know where to turn,&rdquo; said United Way of Pennsylvania President Kristen Rotz. &ldquo;We encourage you to reach out to United Way&rsquo;s PA 211 information and referral service to find out whether there are resources available in your area to help you get back on your feet. Help may be available from food banks, government programs, or nonprofit organizations. It&rsquo;s also important to communicate with utility companies and creditors to ask for assistance, payment plans, or waiving late fees while you are seeking new employment.&rdquo;
				Pennsylvanians who have lost their job or income due to the pandemic and are having trouble making ends meet are also encouraged to apply for assistance programs administered by DHS, which help more than 3 million Pennsylvanians access health care, purchase food, heat their homes during the winter, and pay for other essential needs.
				Applications can be submitted online at any time through the COMPASS website. Unemployment program claimants may be also eligible for programs like SNAP and Medicaid, which help keep Pennsylvanians healthy and safe until they begin working again.
				&ldquo;All of us want anyone who is experiencing a serious life disruption to land on their feet quickly and comfortably, but that does not mean they should go without assistance while they are looking. No one should feel like they have to endure this period and its stress, anxiety, and uncertainty alone,&rdquo; said DHS Secretary Teresa Miller.
				Applications for SNAP, Medicaid, and other public assistance programs can be submitted online at www.compass.state.pa.us. Those who prefer to submit paper documentation can print from the website or request an application by phone at 1-800-692-7462 and mail it to their local County Assistance Office (CAO) or place it in a CAO&rsquo;s secure drop box, if available.
				For more information on public assistance programs, visit www.dhs.pa.gov.
				Voting underway for
				2021 River of the Year
				Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn recently announced the public is invited to again vote online for the 2021 Pennsylvania River of the Year, choosing from among five waterways nominated throughout the state.
				&ldquo;Never has the value of our wealth of waterways shined brighter than during this pandemic as people in unprecedented numbers are being drawn to Pennsylvania&rsquo;s river and streams and the natural refuge they supply,&rdquo; Dunn said. &ldquo;Much more than a public vote gauging popularity, this annual competition builds community support around our rivers and streams, putting them in the public limelight. All have truly unique attributes, offer incredible recreational opportunities, and offer significant boosts to local economies.&rdquo;
				Waterways nominated for 2021 are: Buffalo Creek, Lehigh River, Loyalhanna Creek, Shenango River and Tunkhannock Creek.
				Nominations were based on each waterway&rsquo;s conservation needs and successes, as well as celebration plans if the nominee is voted 2021 River of the Year. In cooperation with DCNR, selection of public voting choices is overseen by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR).
				Dunn said the online public selection process continues to be increasingly popular as it enters its eleventh year.
				The public can vote for a favorite state waterway through 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. 
				After a waterway is chosen for the annual honor, local groups implement a year-round slate of activities and events to celebrate the river, including a paddling trip, or sojourn. The organization nominating the winning river will receive a $10,000 leadership grant from DCNR to help fund River of the Year activities.

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State urges public to prepare for health impacts from extreme cold temps