Unemployment in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton metro area jumped 1.3 percentage points to 7.1% in March, the first month that the coronavirus began squeezing the area’s workforce.

Notably, the labor force grew by nearly 4,000 workers compared to February, and the number of employed workers dropped by only 400 to 262,300 compared to the previous month. So, at least in Northeast Pennsylvania, a surge in the number of people in the labor force unable to find work appears to have caused the rate to rise, more so than a massive reduction in jobs.

Statewide unemployment for March is also up 1.3 points to 6 percent.

The March numbers offer a first look at how COVID-19 and stay-at-home orders affected the local economy.

April’s unemployment for Northeast Pennsylvania is likely to jump even higher. The most recent report from the U.S. Labor Department shows national unemployment claims were at 11% the week ending April 11.

Check back for updates.

Contact the writer: 570-348-9131; joconnell@timesshamrock.com; @jon_oc on Twitter.

The state reported another huge spike in coronavirus deaths today, including 32 more in six local counties.

The death toll rose to 2,195, up 27.9% from 1,716 a day earlier, according to the Department of Health.

The department recorded another 10 deaths in Lackawanna County pushing its total to 81; another eight in Luzerne County for 82 in all; six more in Monroe for 54 total; two more in Pike, pushing its toll to 14; four more in Susquehanna, doubling its total to eight; and two more in Wayne for five total.

Wyoming County remained at two deaths.

A department news release attributed the increase in deaths to “our continued work to reconcile data from various sources.”

Twice last week, the department reported huge spikes only to reduce the death toll sharply on April 23 when it stopped counting deaths probably related to the virus for further research.

The statewide number of cases grew to 44,366, up 2.6% from 43,236, the fourth straight day with a daily increase below 3%.

Lackawanna’s number of cases rose to 873, up 2.2% from 854. Luzerne’s rose to 2,111, up 1.6% from 2,078.

Monroe’s cases reached 1,111, up 1.3% from 1,097. Pike went from 362 to 369 cases, a 1.9% increase.

Susquehanna’s number of cases dropped by one to 81, even as its death toll increased. Wayne inched up two cases to 95. Wyoming added a case to reach 19.

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9147; @BorysBlogTT on Twitter

There are currently no known, active COVID-19 cases among inmates or staff at Lackawanna County Prison, Warden Tim Betti told the county prison board Wednesday.

Addressing the board during its first virtual meeting since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Betti also said there are about 200 fewer inmates in the jail than there were in January. That’s the result of efforts to move eligible inmates near their parole dates out of the prison to reduce the population during the pandemic.

Prison officials announced in early April that a corrections officer had tested positive for the coronavirus. That guard and 22 other prison employees who the guard came within six feet of have returned to work after an appropriate period of quarantine, county Chief of Staff Brian Jeffers said, noting none of the 22 other employees demonstrated coronavirus symptoms.

The guard who had COVID-19 also made meaningful contact with a pair of inmates before testing positive, but Jeffers said neither of those inmates ever showed symptoms of the disease.

In the event there is a wave of COVID-19 infections at the jail, Betti again noted officials have housing units available to isolate coronavirus patients. Those areas are “essentially infirmaries on standby,” the warden said in March.

In other business Wednesday, the prison board approved a policy governing inmate tablet use at the jail. The long-debated policy, advocated for by Commissioner Debi Domenick and others, establishes guidelines for the use of about 350 tablet computers the prison received as part of a 2017 telecommunications contract with Virginia-based Global Tel-Link Corp.

Among other features, the policy states tablet use is a privilege that can be revoked and makes clear that inmates who damage or misuse tablets may be criminally charged. It also notes all inmate tablet communications will be monitored and that the county is not financially responsible for any lost or damaged devices.

The policy does not guarantee that a portion of the money inmates spend on prison-approved tablet content will be used to pay court costs, fines and victim restitution where applicable. District Attorney Mark Powell, who sits on the prison board and pushed for such a provision, voted against the policy on that basis. He was the only prison board member to oppose the policy.

When inmates will be allowed access to the tablets, which they must share, remains unclear. Efforts to reach Betti after the meeting were unsuccessful.

Contact the writer: jhorvath@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9141; @jhorvathTT on Twitter

SCRANTON

Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti and Lackawanna County officials have extended city and county states of emergency through May 15.

Residents are asked to continue complying with coronavirus mitigation measures, including social distancing, wearing masks in public and staying home as much as possible. Models show that aggressive local measures to curb the spread of the disease have made a difference and likely prevented a worst-case scenario, but residents must stay the course, Cognetti said in a news release.

Scranton residents seeking resources should call the mayor’s office at 570-348-4101 or send an email to scranton311@scrantonpa.gov. Information on coronavirus resources is also available online at scrantonpa.gov and lackawannacounty.org.

— JEFF HORVATH

The state still plans a regional approach to gradually reopening the economy as the coronavirus pandemic fades away but has backed off relying on its original definition of a region.

The state reopening plan no longer specifically says it will rely on grouping counties by state Department of Health districts to show regional progress in reducing virus cases.

“The regions (definition) will likely start with the health regions, but not be beholden to them,” department spokesman Nate Wardle said.

No longer specifically defining regions could make it trickier for counties to tell if they are close to meeting a state-calculated regional threshold for loosening stay-at-home orders and restrictions. Counties will still know if they meet the threshold individually.

The shift mirrors statements Tuesday by Gov. Tom Wolf. He said he would not necessarily follow the regional caseloads by health district when deciding where to gradually reopen a local economy.

“I’m not sure how the impression that we’re looking just at the health regions (started),” Wolf said. “We’re not wedded to any one region or any one way of looking at this.”

The shift could mean earlier reopening for counties like Wyoming, which has only 19 cases but was grouped in a health district with counties like Lackawanna and Luzerne that have hundreds and likely face weeks more of full restrictions.

The three counties are part of a 10-county health-district region that includes Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Susquehanna and Wayne counties.

Lyndsay Kensinger, Wolf’s press secretary, said Tuesday the “Process to Reopen Pennsylvania” plan announced April 22 “has always included the flexibility to reopen by region or by county.”

However, a comparison of the original and revised plans shows the reliance on health districts was dropped.

The state’s original plan included a reference to using “existing regional health districts” by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to calculate “an incidence rate of COVID-19 cases per capita.”

The revised plan, posted Saturday morning, eliminates the reference to reliance on health districts. Instead, the plan refers to “an area” meeting the threshold, which is 50 cases per 100,000 residents over the past 14 days. The plan still has a map of the health districts, but doesn’t mention them otherwise.

Kensinger acknowledged the change, but said the revised plan maintains the same county-regional flexibility as the original.

At her daily online news conference today, state Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said the department would still take a regional approach to loosening stay-at-home orders and business and other restrictions, but she avoided defining regions.

“We have put out our health care regions as an example of what those regions look like,” Levine said. “But the governor has said all along that we’re not going to have to be beholden and follow any specific schema. It (the health districts) was a really good example, but we don’t have to follow what those regions are. But we are going to still take a regional approach. It might not be those specific designations.”

In the 10-county northeast health district, the number of cases per 100,000 residents over the last 14 days stood at 181 on Wednesday, well above the 50 cases per 100,000 threshold for loosening restrictions. Every county remained far above 50 individually except for Wyoming, which was at 22.

Wyoming County Board of Commissioners Chairman Rick Wilbur hopes the county gets grouped with neighboring Bradford and Sullivan counties so it can reopen earlier.

He favors a gradual approach to loosening restrictions, but said his county has too few cases to be lumped in with Lackawanna or Luzerne counties, which have far larger populations and far more cases.

“Our biggest population center is Tunkhannock,” Wilbur said. “That’s tiny compared to Clarks Summit.”

Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti said she understood the state’s need for flexibility in defining a region even if it’s harder to know which region will include Lackawanna. With the county’s case rate still high, she would rather remain in a region with other high-rate counties to avoid lifting restrictions too early, Cognetti said.

“I want to continue with Scranton and Lackawanna County being in a red zone (above the threshold) if we need to be in a red zone,” she said. “I rather we do this (live under restrictions) for longer than to do it again.”

Joseph Kohut, staff writer, contributed to this story.

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9147; @BorysBlogTT on Twitter

In the last two weeks, more than half of the new cases of COVID-19 in Lackawanna County have been in the county’s nursing and personal care homes, an analysis of state data shows.

Of the 346 new cases reported in the county since then, 176 of the newly sick individuals, or roughly 51%, are those for whom the risk of death is greatest. So far, 65 people have reportedly died of the coronavirus in county long-term care facilities, or 80% of the county’s 81 reported deaths.

“They are very vulnerable,” state Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said today. “If a case develops in one of those facilities, because of the nature of the (patients’) care it tends to spread. It’s very hard to control.”

Nursing homes and other long term-term care facilities continue to be among the populations most viciously attacked by COVID-19. Out of an estimated 3,730 residents in county nursing and personal care facilities, using the most recent data available, about 9% have tested positive for the disease.

The reasons are likely myriad and layered, said Jason Kavulich, director of the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging.

Though they care for patients, the long-term care facilities did not receive personal protective equipment with the same urgency as other medical facilities, like hospitals, he said.

Adam Marles, president and CEO of the nonprofit nursing home advocacy group LeadingAge PA, said securing equipment like gowns and N95 masks have been a top concern.

“Getting those supplies adequately has been a struggle from the start,” he said Wednesday in a virtual discussion with state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale.

Levine said that the state Department of Health has “jumped upon cases and clusters” as they’ve come up at long-term care facilities and, in addition to working with consultants to better stem infections, have been ramping up distribution of protective equipment. She said Wednesday there has been a “large push in the last 24 hours” of getting N95 masks to nursing homes.

As the coronavirus races through residents, it also impacts the employees and reduces the facility’s ability to stay staffed, Kavulich said.

According to health department data, 50 employees at 13 nursing and personal care homes in the county tested positive for COVID-19.

In some cases throughout the state, the disease has reduced staff to dramatic levels.

The Pennsylvania National Guard will provide 20 medics and eight nurses to a badly infected Northampton County nursing home that saw 780 staff call outs in the last month, The Morning Call of Allentown reported on Monday.

Kavulich said that he is not aware of any facility in Lackawanna County whose staff is reduced to that level.

As a major force behind the county’s case count, outbreaks in nursing and personal care homes are likely to play a significant role in how quickly the region can start to reopen.

A key benchmark that a county must reach in order to start easing restrictions is a rate of 50 new cases per 100,000 people over two weeks. Once met, that county is evaluated against other criteria and in the context of the larger region. Previously, that had been defined by the health department’s Community Health Districts. The state is now backing away from that definition and it is unclear how the Northeast region will be redefined.

Lackawanna County’s two-week rate on Wednesday was 165 new cases per 100,000 people, more than three times where it needs to be to start moving forward.

Should the county’s long-term care facilities cases not be factored into the calculation, because nursing homes, like jails, are not part of the general population, it would about halve the county’s two-week rate to 82 new cases per 100,000 people — still too high to reopen (Lackawanna County Prison warden Tim Betti said Wednesday there were no reported cases in the jail).

Given this question Monday, Levine dismissed it as a solution to more quickly reopen.

“That (the facilities) is part of those counties and all of those facilities have staff that often live in those areas or nearby and that is involved in the burden of illness with COVID-19,” Levine said. “I know that things could go quicker but we want to be accurate and we want to be safe. And that is better than just being quick.”

Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9144; @jkohutTT on Twitter

Pennsylvania American Water seeks to raise water and wastewater rates by nearly $344 on average per customer over the next two years.

That’s nearly $12 more per month in water rates, or $144 more a year by the end of 2022, as compared to now; and nearly $16.50 more per month in wastewater (sewer) rates, or nearly $200 more a year, over the same time frame.

The water company filed a rate request today with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for approval to hike its water and wastewater rates over a two-year period, with the increases phased in during 2021 and 2022.

The plan calls for the following:

Water: the monthly water bill for the average residential customer using 3,458 gallons per month would increase from the current charge of $57.85 to $65.91 in the first year of 2021, or a 14% hike of $8.06; and then rise again from $65.91 to $69.73 in the second year of 2022, or a 6% increase of $3.82. The $8.06 increase and $3.82 increase together equal a total hike over the two years of $11.88. That would be nearly $144 more a year in 2021 than customers pay now.

Wastewater (sewer): the average monthly residential sewer bill would increase from $60.42 to $71.97 in year one, or a 19% spike of $11.55; and then increase again to $76.85 in year two, or a 7% rise of $4.88. These two increases combined would translate to a total increase of $16.43 per month over the two years, or $197.16 more in 2022 than customers pay now.

The rate hikes would increase water-company revenue by a total of $138.6 million over the two years, or $92.4 million in 2021 and $46.2 million in 2022.

The rate-hike request is driven by $1.64 billion invested to address aging water and wastewater infrastructure. The company also proposes enhancements to customer financial assistance programs.

“Since our last rate case, we will have invested $1.64 billion in infrastructure upgrades, including replacing more than 427 miles of aging water and sewer pipelines and upgrading treatment facilities, storage tanks, wells and pumping stations,” PAW President Mike Doran said in a statement. “These infrastructure investments help ensure continued water quality, service reliability and fire protection for the more than 2.4 million people in 400 communities who depend on us every day.”

The PUC’s review can take up to nine months.

Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5185; @jlockwoodTT on Twitter

ARCHBALD — A borough man died after crashing his motorcycle into a home on Salem Road around 5 p.m. Wednesday, Archbald Police Chief Tim Trently said.

Caleb Rinker, 41, of Archbald, apparently lost control of the motorcycle before the crash, Trently said.

Rinker was transported to Geisinger Community Medical Center, where he died, Trently said.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, Trently said, and the cause of death is under investigation, Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland said.

— ROBERT TOMKAVAGE

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for Lackawanna County and all of Northeast Pennsylvania beginning today and ending Friday.

The forecast calls for heavy rain of 1.5 to 2.75 inches today and tonight. It could result flooding of small streams and urban areas with poor runoff.

The Susquehanna River in Wilkes-Barre is expected to crest at 22.8 feet on Saturday. Flood stage is 22 feet.

— STAFF REPORT

A $500,000 program has been established to help area nursing homes fight the coronavirus pandemic, state Sen. John Yudichak, I-14, Swoyersville, announced Wednesday.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Nursing Home SOS Program is funded through matching $250,000 donations from the Earth Conservancy and AllOne Foundation and Charities. The Luzerne Foundation and the Carbon County Community Foundation will work to secure additional funding for the program.

The NEPA Nursing Home SOS Program will help protect nursing home residents and nursing home employees by distributing resources such as infection control supplies, personal protection equipment and symptom screening supplies.

As of Wednesday, 53 residents in Luzerne County nursing homes have died and 256 residents have tested positive.

— STAFF REPORT

COVID-19 testing sites around the region:

CARBON COUNTY

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 528 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

St. Lukes Hospital, 211 N. 12th St., Lehighton.

LACKAWANNA COUNTY

Geisinger Community Medical Center, 1800 Mulberry St., Scranton, Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Geisinger, 4004 Birney Ave, Moosic, Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; testing for health care employees only.

LEHIGH COUNTY

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 6451 Village Lane, Macungie, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 1730 W. Chew St., Allentown, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 2604 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 2741 MacArthur Road, Whitehall, Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

West End CareNow, 501 Cetronia Road, Allentown, 2200 St. Luke’s Blvd., Easton, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Bethlehem-Care North, 153 Brodhead Road, Bethlehem, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

St. Luke’s Sacred Heart Hospital, 301 N. Fourth St., Allentown, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

St. Luke’s Care Now, Macungie, 2550 Route 100, Suite 110, Macungie, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

St. Luke’s Care Now — Whitehall, 2042 MacArthur Road, Whitehall, Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

LUZERNE COUNTY

Geisinger Wyoming Valley, 6 Wildflower Drive, Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Geisinger Nanticoke, 128 E. Main St., Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 128 W. 14th St., Hazleton, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Twp., preregistration for testing is required one day in advance of testing. No on-site registration is available. Testing is by appointment only.

Rite Aid, 20 S. River St., Plains Twp.

MONROE COUNTY

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 292 Frantz Road, Stroudsburg, Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred/on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 1655 W. Main St., Stroudsburg, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

Brodheadsville Health Center, 111 Route 715, Brodheadsville, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m./Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 863 Nazareth Pike, Nazareth, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m./ Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

St. Luke’s Hospital — Anderson, 2200 St. Luke’s Blvd., Easton, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

St. Luke’s Care Now — Bethlehem, 153 Broadhead Road, Bethlehem, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

PIKE COUNTY

Dingman Medical Center, 1592 Route 739, Dingmans Ferry.

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 35 Sillyman St., Cressona, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m./ Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

West Penn Care Now, 2092 W. Penn Pike, New Ringgold, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

NO TESTING SITES in Susquehanna, Wayne or Wyoming counties.

April 30, 1955

City youth gets

Carnegie medal

Thomas Drungell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ignatz Drungell of Crane Avenuee, received the Carnegie Medal of Heroism on April 29.

Drugnell, a 15-year-old student at North Scranton Junior High School, received this honor for saving a friend, Arnold Detrick, following an accident while swimming in a water filled stripping void near Reese and Greenbush streets on July 28, 1954.

On July 28, Drugnell, Detrick and friends were swimming in the void. Detrick struck his head and was knocked unconscious. Drugnell saw his friend was in trouble. He jumped into the water and carried Detrick 15 feet to safety.

When asked about receiving the award, Drugnell told a Scranton Times reporter that “I just did what any other boy would have done under the circumstances.”

F.T. Gelder

died at 80

Frederick Gelder, journalist and government official, died on April 29 at the Carbondale General Hospital. He was 80 years old.

During his life, Gelder served as postmaster of Forest City, represented Susquehanna County in the state House of Representatives for two terms followed by serving in the state Senate for 16 years. He also served as a trustee for the Fairview State Hospital and was the chairman of the state Liquor Control Board since 1940. He lost his chairman position in February due to a fight between the Republican held state Senate and Gov. George Leader.

He also was the publisher and editor for the Forest City News since 1898 and for 12 years served in the same role at the former Carbondale Leader.

He was survived by his wife, Edith; a son, two daughters and eight grandchildren.

Out & About

At the clubs: Old Time Dance at the Keyser Valley Community Center, Blackie Bennett and his Hillbillies at Mancini’s in Dunmore, Rhythmaires at the Plantation Room on Luzerne Street, Verna at the Europa Lounge, Freddie Chapman plus the W-Bar-E Ranch Boys at the Colonial Inn and accordionist Joe Barry and singers Georgine Darcy and Charlie Ray at the Omar Supper Club.

At the movies: “Blackboard Jungle” at the Strand, “Smash-Up” at the Riviera, “Violent Saturday” at the Comerford, “Conquest of Space” at the Capitol, “Sitting Bull” at the Mid-Valley Drive-In.

BRIAN FULTON, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribune’s expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.

Andrea Grotzinger’s two sons look forward to seeing their favorite librarians every day.

With libraries temporarily closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, the South Abington Twp. family watches story time videos every morning and night on the Abington Community Library’s Facebook page.

Jack Grotzinger, 3, and Max Grotzinger, 11 months, especially enjoy the musical parts of the videos produced by librarians Laura Gardoski, director of youth services, and Nancy Burke, assistant director of youth services.

Even though Max may be too young to grasp the meaning of the stories being told, Grotzinger said he recognizes the repetition of the music and claps his hands to the rhythm of the sounds.

Grotzinger and her husband, Matt, both teachers at Frances Willard Elementary School in Scranton, appreciate the staff’s efforts to bring joy to kids.

“Even though we both read to the children, it’s nice for them to see different faces,” she said.

The library in Clarks Summit joins other area libraries in using technology to keep programming fresh. The Lackawanna County Children’s Library in Scranton and Valley Community Library, in the Peckville section of Blakely, are holding virtual story times, said Mary Garm, administrator of the county library system. The Valley Community Library also has crafting and ancestry programs among its weekly offerings, she said.

“Even though the doors are closed, our mission is still to connect with people,” said Gardoski. “We had to get more creative, and we’re learning as we go.”

Besides Gardoski’s bedtime stories and children’s book selections and Burke’s morning story time, Project Manager Renee Roberts reads poetry, Adult Program Coordinator Linde Maurer shares recipe and craft videos, and circulation staffer Kayla McLain produces makeup tutorials.

“We’re trying to reach as many people as possible,” Gardoski said. “We’re thankful there are so many opportunities to connect with them.”

Gardoski said she hopes the videos comfort children during a difficult time.

“It can be isolating for kids,” she said. “They’re not seeing their teachers, so it’s nice for them to see the faces from the library. We’re having a lot of good interactions and getting positive feedback.”

Burke enjoys seeing videos posted by families of children enjoying her readings.

“I always enjoyed doing story time for the kids at the library and I enjoy doing it at home as well,” she said.

While there are many places online to watch educational content, Gardoski said she believes the library has earned the community’s trust.

“There are a lot of online resources, but I think what’s unique about the library is the connection people have with the staff,” she said. “The kids really love seeing people they recognize.”

Andrea Grotzinger is thankful for the extra time with her family.

“One silver lining is that I can do these activities with them,” she said.

Contact the writer:

rtomkavage@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5365; @rtomkavage on Twitter

A text message from a six-digit number blinked onto my iPhone last week.

“FREE COVID-19 testing available at Rite Aid.”

A link accompanied the text from my pharmacy chain. I clicked it open and stopped.

I’m 31, healthy, and have no underlying conditions other than a sore knee I pulled while streaming an online yoga class. I’ve been working from home since mid-March.

I stared at the eligibility form. The testing site is in Plains Twp. As a lifelong Scrantonian, it’s hard for me to cross the invisible wall into Luzerne County. I checked my eligibility, anyway.

The questionnaire asked me if I’d had any contact in the past 14 days with “someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19?”

Click. Yes. Sort of.

My mom is a nurse and some of her co-workers tested positive for the virus. She bounced around my apartment on a purple exercise ball the same day she called to say she had a slight fever and body aches.

Even though she is 64 years old and a NURSE, my mother couldn’t get a test. Her doctor told her to “assume she has the virus” and self-isolate for 14 days. She did. Mom’s contact with COVID-19 was a few weeks ago, but maybe the virus signed a lease on my body then and took two weeks to move in.

I was asked if I had traveled to China, Iran, South Korea or Europe in the past 14 days.

No.

Do I work in a health care facility? Am I a first responder or pregnant?

No. No. No.

Any symptoms: fever, coughing, shortness of breath?

I clicked, cough.

I had a confirmation in seconds and an appointment three days later.

I left my apartment in West Scranton at 10:30 a.m. on April 23 and pulled into the Rite Aid parking lot at

20 S. River St. in Plains Twp. for the drive-through test at 10:55.

Knees weak, palms sweaty, I gripped the steering wheel. Keeping my window up, I flashed an email with a reference number and my driver’s license for a volunteer to see. He yelled “BOLUS!” I yelled “BOLUS!” back at him. He was nice.

The volunteer held up a laminated sign that instructed me to drive from Tent 1 to Tent 2. There was only one car in front of me at Tent 2. The back window stickers tagged him as a “bowhunter.”

At Tent 2, a man wearing a blue mask, gloves, khakis and a gray half-zip sweater sanitized a plastic tray laid out on a plastic folding table. He placed a swab and testing vial on the tray and moved the table to the driver’s side of my car. He motioned for me to roll down my window.

I was uncomfortably aware that I did not look or sound sick. No mask. No gloves. I was dressed for a pajama party, not a pandemic.

The man in the blue mask was joined by two Rite Aid workers. They all volunteered to be there. He told me to stick the swab three-quarters up my nose, swirl it around twice and then hold it there for 15 seconds while he counted down.

“I feel weird doing this in front of you guys,” I said.

Jabbing the swab up there felt like having water trapped in your sinuses after accidentally inhaling under water.

“If it’s uncomfortable, you’re doing it right,” the masked man said. He was nice, too.

I should have used the mirror on my visor. I poked my nose with the snotty swab a few times before finding my other nostril. You have to do both.

The masked man counted down again. I put the swab cotton-tip side down in a vial marked “Kathleen Bolus” and pulled back out onto River Street by 11. There was only one car behind me in the waiting-to-swab line.

My test for the coronavirus took less time than heating a frozen pizza.

My anxiety over whether I’ve been living as a poisoned person putting others at risk was amplified by the worry that I may have taken a test someone else needed more than me. I didn’t have to call my doctor or visit an emergency room. I’m working from home and haven’t seen anyone in “real life” outside of my family or masked grocery store workers and shoppers and other trail walkers escaping isolation in nature.

I simply filled out an online survey and got a test.

From text to online survey to test, the ease of it was astounding. It’s infuriating that more tests aren’t being done. If I — a healthy person in my early 30s — can get tested, everyone should have the opportunity.

The test I took is part of Project Baseline, which began as a study to better understand the transition from normal health to disease by studying healthy people. It was led by Dr. Sanjiv S. Gambhir, a prominent cancer researcher at Stanford University. The group, loosely associated with Google, is working with Rite Aid pharmacists to provide tests in California, Delaware, Idaho, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Drive-through test sites are open in Erie, Harrisburg, Monroeville, Philadelphia, York and Plains Twp.

In the project’s two-minute, 17-second “What to Expect” YouTube video, I was promised results in two to four days.

“But this may take longer due to lab capacity,” the narrator said.

Fewer than 48 hours later, I had the results: “NOT DETECTED.”

I felt like I had a new lease on life. The virus hasn’t moved in.

Yet.

Contact the writer: kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114; @kbolusTT on Twitter

Travel will definitely be different in a post-pandemic world and, more than ever, people will want to stay healthy on the road.

It is likely that there will be new restrictions and health policies at resorts, on airplanes and for cruises, but regardless of these new measures, travelers can take steps on their own to maintain their health while on vacation or traveling for business.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Transportation Security Administration have robust guidelines for staying safe and healthy on the road that includes practical advice for individuals.

Hand washing will be an activity that people do more frequently and will be reminded to do in many situations. The TSA is encouraging travelers to wash their hands before and after security and is allowing people to bring 12-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer with them through security.

Masks will also likely be a necessity when you are on the road.

The CDC has issued new guidelines for wearing a mask and many cities are encouraging people to wear masks whenever they go out. While travel is discouraged at the moment, when leisure and business travel do resume, it is likely that mask-wearing will continue to be encouraged so it is wise to at least plan to have and bring an appropriate face covering with you.

Assessing your own well-being will also be a key measure in determining fitness to travel. The CDC advises travelers to know their own health status before they make travel plans. This will likely become more important than ever and proof of wellness could even be required.

Making an appointment with a doctor at least one month before departing on a trip is currently recommended by the CDC.

While travelers are on the road, they should make sure they maintain their health by eating right, staying hydrated and exercising regularly. These steps will help keep the immune system in tip-top shape to fight off viruses should someone be exposed.

Travelers may want to pack zinc lozenges, which can provide a boost to the immune system when you are feeling rundown. Zinc is not a cure for COVID-19 but is beneficial for reducing cold symptoms such as coughing, a runny nose or muscle aches.

In addition to packing supplements, travelers should make sure that they bring essential medications and a great enough supply to last for their entire trip and probably a bit longer in case of an emergency.

One of the things that people are going to be very vigilant about after this pandemic is keeping personal spaces clean. Antibacterial wipes are going to be a key travel companion in addition to hand sanitizer once this health crisis is over. Travelers can use them to wipe down tray tables, door handles, surfaces in hotel rooms and just about anything that you touch while on the road.

Viruses are invisible but they can be combatted, and these are just a few ways travelers can take control of their health and well-being once it is safe to travel again.

TRAVELPULSE is a leading travel authority on the web, providing consumer travel news and insider tips and advice for an ever-changing travel world. Read more stories at travel

pulse.com.

Regional

Virtual training: Epilepsy Foundation Eastern Pa. virtual training for school personnel and nurses, and for police and EMT/First Responders, programs offer credits and training that is usually done in person; Mary Loughlin, epilepsywv@efepa.org or 570-592-1150.

Virtual meetings: Pennsylvania Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is launching a new resource for any family/friend in Pennsylvania with concerns about their loved one living in a long-term care facility, internet-based meetings of new Virtual Family Council will be May 5 and May 19 and will continue twice monthly, connection information is needed, for information, email LTCOmbudsman@pa.gov and in the subject line, indicate: Virtual Family Council; information also available at corresponding Facebook page: PA Long-Term Care Virtual Family Council; local Ombudsman at Serving Seniors Inc., 570-344-7190 or lcombudsman@epix.net.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be sent to yesdesk@timessham

rock.com or Clipboard, c/o YES!Desk, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. YES!Desk, 570-348-9121.

Correction

Letters repeated

The Dear Abby feature on C2 of Wednesday’s edition repeated two letters previously published in the Sunday edition.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

• Mason Cole Sutton, Willow Grove, and Christina Alexis Campbell-Brunson, Mount Pocono.

• Daniel Eugene Campisi, Columbia, and Amber Marie Page, West Chester.

• Timothy Alan Whited, South Abington Twp., and Jamie Bideganeta, Scranton.

• Elina Jade Knight and Christopher John Bosley, both of Old Forge.

• John Frank Salvatore and Stephanie Anne Payne, both of Moscow.

• Garmaroudi Saeed Andaji and Frances Marie Aledo Garcia, both of Plymouth Meeting.

• Shanice Chail Dailey and Justin Delano Edwards, both of Stroudsburg.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

• Yuen and Chun Hoi Kwok to Neeran Rai; a property at 349-351 E. Elm St., Scranton, for $57,000.

• Charles Talapa Jr., Lackawanna County, to Ryan P. Perles and Robert J. Perles, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship; a property at 1000 Mount Vernon Ave., Scranton, for $98,500.

• Carlos and Racquel Roedan to Ryan P. and Leah M. Daniels; two parcels in Clarks Green for $245,000.

• Paul L. and Rita P. Damato, St. James, N.Y., to Timothy P. and Sharon M. Lenihan, Morrisville; a property at Big Bass Lake, Clifton Twp., for $174,750.

• Noble Grove Holdings LLC to Pennsylvania American Water Co.; two parcels in Dunmore for $75,476.

ESTATES FILED

• Arlene F. Joyce, 900 Old Ridge Road, Archbald, letters testamentary to Jessica Phillips, 308 Sunset St., Peckville.

• Anthony P. Molinaro, also known as Anthony Molinaro, 67 Sturges Road, Peckville, letters of administration to Gary A. Cotroneo Jr., 104 Haines St., Blakely.

• James M. Munley, 113 Cobblestone Lane, South Abington Twp., letters testamentary to Kathleen P. Munley, same address.

• Dennis David Nicoll, also known as Dennis D. Nicoll, 139 Eagles View Drive, Gouldsboro, letters testamentary to Christine Neville, P.O. Box 732, Gouldsboro.

ONLINE: www.thetimes-tribune.com/court

Super students

Local residents were among the 19 University of Scranton students inducted into Beta Beta Beta, the national honor society for biology.

Students inducted include Megan Dowd of Wilkes-Barre, a senior biology major; Hannah Gilhooley of Olyphant, a junior biology major; Brian Martin of Scranton, a senior biology major; Allison McGee of Peckville, a sophomore biology major; Parita Ray of Scranton, a junior biology major; Alex Sophabmixay of Scranton, a sophomore biology major; Nikalina Veno of Archbald, a senior biology major; and Myah York of Moosic, a sophomore biology major.

For induction into the honor society, the students had to complete at least three biology courses, maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average in biology, and be in good academic standing at the university. The university’s chapter of the honor society was established in 1994.

Local residents and University of Scranton students were also inducted into Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology.

The students include Olivia Basalyga of Clarks Summit, a junior psychology major; Danielle Cook of Kingston, a junior psychology major; Abigail Guziewicz of Peckville, a senior psychology major; and Elizabeth Hearon of Dingmans Ferry, a senior psychology major.

Qualifications for induction into the honor society include a major or minor in psychology, rank in the top 35 percent in general scholarship, and superior scholarship in psychology. The university’s chapter of the honor society was established in 1969.

Local residents were among the 32 University of Scranton students inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the business honor society.

The students inducted include: Assas Aldawsari of Scranton, a graduate student pursing a Master of Business Administration in finance degree; Mitesh Patel of Scranton, a graduate student pursing a Master of Business Administration in accounting degree; Maria Samonte of Forty Fort, a graduate student pursing a Master of Business Administration in general business administration degree; James Murphy of Shavertown, a graduate student pursing a Master of Business Administration in general business administration degree; Frank Trinisewski of Swoyersville, a graduate student pursing a Master of Business Administration in finance degree; Antonelle Tuazon of Scranton, a graduate student pursing a Master of Business Administration in general business administration degree; Tony Hufford of South Abington Twp., a graduate student pursing a Master of Business Administration in international business degree; Tarquin McGurrin of Clarks Summit, a senior pursing a accounting degree; Julia Betti of Dickson City, a junior pursing a marketing degree; Alexandra Wanas of Blakely, a junior pursing a business administration degree; and Regan O’Hara of Peckville, a junior pursing an accounting degree.

To be considered for induction, students must rank in the upper 7% of the junior class, upper 10% of the senior class or upper 20% of the graduating master’s class. The university’s chapter of the honor society was established in 1997.

Stephen Jesse of Kingsley was one of 16 students from SUNY Oneonta’s School of Economics and Business inducted into the college’s Beta Gamma Sigma honor society chapter during an online recognition ceremony on April 24.

Jesse, a senior, is studying Business Economics.

The best business students in the world, and the professionals who earned the distinction of “the Best in Business” during their academic careers, claim membership in Beta Gamma Sigma. Students ranking in the top 10% of the baccalaureate and top 20% of graduate programs at schools accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business are eligible for this invitation.

A man faces arson charges after police said he set a couch on fire in a multi-unit apartment building in the city Wednesday afternoon.

Chris Grant, 22, 1840 N. Main Ave., Scranton, told police he set the couch on fire because he was told by a juvenile that another juvenile got his girlfriend pregnant and he was mad, Scranton police officer Martin Monahan said in the criminal complaint.

Scranton fire crews were called to 834 Monroe Ave. at 2:32 p.m. and had the fire out in about 20 minutes, Acting Assistant Chief John Judge said.

There was minor smoke and fire damage on the first floor, Judge said.

No one was injured in the fire, Judge said, but at least three people were displaced.

Grant was charged with criminal conspiracy, criminal mischief and related counts.

Bail and preliminary hearing information was not available late Wednesday night.

— ROBERT TOMKAVAGE