COVID-19 Daily Updates
Join the WHIP News Department every morning and evening for the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic on the national, state, local and campus levels.
EVENING UPDATE: May 8, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• A Temple student is seeking partial tuition reimbursements in a class action lawsuit against the university
• Temple administrators will provide their plan for reopening the university in the fall by the end of May
• Governor Wolf extended Philadelphia’s stay-at-home order through June 4
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: May 6, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple will begin distributing Federal CARES Act grants to students in the next few weeks
• Temple administrators will provide their plan for reopening the university in the fall by the end of May
• Protestors are planning to gather at City Hall on Friday to rally against keeping the city’s economy closed
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: May 5, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple University will not furlough employees despite a more than $40 million budget gap
• Mayor Kenney announced that Philadelphia students can access over 100 online educational programs, including games, lessons and academic support
• Three New Jersey beaches will reopen this weekend (Avalon, Wildwood and Stone Harbor)
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: May 4, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple University will not furlough employees despite a more than $40 million budget gap
• Philadelphia has expanded testing guidelines to encourage anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to be tested
• The Pennsylvania Department of Education applied for more than $523 million in federal emergency aid to support elementary and secondary schools
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: May 4, 2020 @ 11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple University will not furlough employees despite a more than $40 million budget gap
• Pennsylvania is working with six other northeastern states to purchase medical equipment and draft plans for restarting the economy
• The U.S. Supreme Court will begin hearing cases remotely today
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: May 2, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple will hold its 2020 summer orientation sessions online
• Philadelphia’s Federal Detention Center reported its first two confirmed cases of COVID-19
• 24 Pennsylvania counties have been approved to move into the yellow phase of Governor Wolf’s reopening plan
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: May 2, 2020 @ 11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple University Hospital is participating in eight clinical trials to test treatment options for COVID-19 patients
• Mayor Kenney proposed a revised city budget yesterday that called for layoffs, tax increases, salary reductions and cuts to some city services
• Governor Wolf approved 24 counties in northwestern and north-central Pennsylvania to move into the yellow phase of his reopening plan next Friday
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: May 1, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Philadelphia health officials have received a significantly higher quantity of COVID-19 test results in the past week
• Governor Wolf announced that 24 Pennsylvania counties will move into the yellow phase of reopening
• Pennsylvania has more confirmed COVID-19 cases among meat production workers than any other state
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: May 1, 2020 @ 11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple University Hospital has treated more COVID-19 patients than any other hospital in Philadelphia
• Construction projects across Philadelphia will resume today if teams have pandemic safety officers on staff and COVID-19 safety plans
• Mayor Kenney will propose his revised city budget today, which calls for increases in parking, property and wage taxes for commuters
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 30, 2020 @ 5 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Mayor Kenney is set to propose a revised city budget tomorrow
• A majority of Americans view Dr. Anthony Fauci as the most trustworthy government source for information on the COVID-19 pandemic
• Over 30 million Americans have filed unemployment claims in the past six weeks
EVENING UPDATE: April 29, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• The Liacouras Center’s makeshift surge facility will stop accepting patients in the next few weeks because Philadelphia hospitals have a sufficient number of beds available
• Philadelphia health officials believe that the city has passed its peak of cases
• Some Philadelphia hospitals are resuming elective surgeries
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 28, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple University plans to not raise tuition prices for the 2020-2021 academic year
• A drive-thru COVID-19 testing site opened in North Philadelphia and will not require payment, appointments or paperwork
• Pennsylvania will reopen golf courses, marinas and private campgrounds on May 1
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 28, 2020 @ 10 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Pennsylvania will reopen golf courses, marinas and private campgrounds on May 1
• New York has cancelled its June primary in response to the pandemic
• The Tokyo Olympics will be cancelled entirely if the COVID-19 pandemic persists in 2021
EVENING UPDATE: April 27, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• University officials announced that Temple plans to not increase tuition prices for the 2020-2021 academic year
• University officials said that Temple will announce by the end of May if it will hold in-person classes for the Fall 2020 semester
• The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds will fly over Philadelphia tomorrow to salute health care workers, first responders and essential workers
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 27, 2020 @ 11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple plans to freeze tuition for the 2020-2021 academic year
• Temple students have until 5 p.m. today to opt into an alternative grading system for some or all of their Spring 2020 classes
• The City of Philadelphia could lose $344 million to $647 million in tax revenue through June 2021 because of the pandemic
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 26, 2020 @ 6 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• University officials will decide by the end of May if it will host in-person classes for the 2020 Fall semester
• White House officials say that Americans should expect social distancing guidelines to remain in effect through the summer
• A new study showed that the global COVID-19 death count could be 60% higher than official reports indicate
MORNING UPDATE: April 26, 2020 @ 10 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Students have until tomorrow at 5 p.m. to choose if they want to opt into a revised grading system for their spring semester classes
• Philadelphia has 12 new testing sites in public and private health clinics across the city
• Governor Wolf plans to reopen counties in north-central and northwestern Pennsylvania on May 8
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 25, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple postponed the Spring 2020 Commencement Ceremony but will host a virtual celebration on May 7 for graduating seniors and the general public
• Philadelphia’s student meal distribution sites will be open on Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon, and students can receive 10 free meals for the week
• Governor Wolf provided more details on his three-phase plan to reopen Pennsylvania businesses
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 25, 2020 @ 10 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple postponed the Spring 2020 Commencement Ceremony but will host a virtual celebration on May 7 for graduating seniors and the general public
• Although Pennsylvania businesses will begin reopening on May 8, Philadelphia may have to wait much longer
• The Pennsylvania Department of Health has been criticized for having multiple irregularities in its COVID-19 case and death counts
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 24, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple will host an online celebration on May 7 to celebrate the Spring class of 2020 earning their degrees. The Spring 2020 commencement ceremony will be postponed until it is safe to host large gatherings.
• Mayor Kenney’s administration will present a new city budget to the Philadelphia City Council next week
• 90,000 Pennsylvanians have applied for federal relief benefits
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 23, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple’s task force continues to 3D-print face shields for healthcare workers at Temple University Hospital and will continue until they have made a total of 15,000
• A Drexel University engineer has created a simple and inexpensive back-up ventilator model
• Governor Wolf is encouraging Pennsylvanians to apply for mail-in ballots for the Pennsylvania primaries on June 2
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 23, 2020 @ 10 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple will host Temple Toast today to raise money for student emergency aid and Temple University Hospital
• Northwestern and north-central Pennsylvania could reopen their economies as early as May 8
• 20% of Pennsylvania workers have filed for unemployment benefits in the past four weeks
EVENING UPDATE: April 22, 2020 @ 6 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• The makeshift surge facility at the Liacouras Center has admitted six patients so far
• Temple will host Temple Toast tomorrow to raise money for student emergency aid and Temple University Hospital
• The level of many air pollutants in Philadelphia have dropped dramatically since the city issued stay-at-home orders
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 22, 2020 @ 9 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• A team from Temple is 3D-printing 2,700 face shields every day for Temple University Hospital
• Temple is encouraging students to apply for emergency financial aid at the link below
• The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Philadelphia surpassed 10,000 yesterday
LINKS:
• Temple’s Student Emergency Aid Fund
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 21, 2020 @ 11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Governor Wolf has extended Pennsylvania’s stay-at-home order until May 8
• President Trump will be signing an executive order to suspend immigration to the U.S. in light of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Last month’s COVID-19 death counts left out at least 28,000 people around the world
EVENING UPDATE: April 20, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• The Liacouras Center’s makeshift surge hospital accepted its first patient today
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia successfully treated a young COVID-19 patient using donated plasma
• Pennsylvania will stay under a stay-at-home order until May 8
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 20, 2020 @ 9 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple students have until one week from today to finalize if they will opt into the credit/no-credit grading system
• Philadelphia has new senior meal distribution sites available as well as baby supplies sites
• Pennsylvanians are now required to wear face masks in grocery stores
LINKS:
• Temple’s Virtual Information Session
• Senior Meal Distribution Sites
• Pregnancy and Baby Support Sites
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 19, 2020 @ 5 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Pennsylvanians are now required to wear face masks in grocery stores
• Like many mayors across the nation, Mayor Kenney wrote a letter to President Trump requesting that emergency federal aid be given to states, cities and counties
• President Trump’s approval ratings are continuing to decline, with only 41% in favor
MORNING UPDATE: April 19, 2020 @ 10 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• A Temple professor and his team are running computer simulations to help scientists prioritize their COVID-19 research
• Philadelphia health officials are reporting nearly three times as many COVID-19-related deaths in the city than state health officials
• The federal government delivered over 86,000 N95 face masks and other personal protective equipment to Philadelphia yesterday
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 18, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• The faculty and staff of the Lewis Katz School of Medicine’s Center for Urban Bioethics have been organizing food and pharmacy deliveries for people at risk of contracting COVID-19
• Over 1,100 Philadelphia businesses have been awarded $9.2 million in the first round of the city’s COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund
• Governor Wolf announced that the state will send $16 million in funding to Pennsylvania food banks
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 17, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• The makeshift hospital at Temple’s Liacouras Center is officially ready to accept patients
• Philadelphia officials have said that there is no plan to reopen the city in the near future
• Governor Wolf is drafting a piecemeal plan to reopen Pennsylvania in the coming weeks
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 17, 2020 @ 11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple will cut salaries for officers, deans and advisors by 10%
• Philadelphia health officials reported that some regional hospitals are at or nearing capacity
• Pennsylvania has unveiled the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program to provide up to 39 weeks of benefits for Pennsylvanians who aren’t eligible for other unemployment compensation/benefits
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 16, 2020 @ 8 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple University Hospital is the first hospital in the nation to treat COVID-19 patients with an antibody that is thought to strengthen patients’ immune systems
• Temple’s Liacouras Center is ready to accept patients if necessary
• Governor Wolf said that there are currently no plans to extend Pennsylvania’s stay-at-home order past April
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 16, 2020 @ 9 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• All essential workers in Pennsylvania must now wear masks
• The PA House of Representatives passed a bill allowing businesses that follow CDC guidelines to reopen
• People in Michigan are protesting to demand they be allowed to return to work
EVENING UPDATE: April 15, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple University Hospital is the first in the U.S. to test an antibody that may be able to treat COVID-19
• Three inmates at Philadelphia’s Federal Detention Center filed a class action lawsuit claiming that keeping them in confinement put them at risk during the pandemic and goes against their constitutional rights
• Governor Wolf ordered that all essential employees must wear masks on the job
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 15, 2020 @ 8 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Voting for the Temple Student Government elections will close tonight at midnight
• Philadelphia has opened a second quarantine site for first responders who have tested positive for COVID-19 and don’t have a space to isolate
• Some Philadelphians may have to wait up to three months to receive their stimulus checks
LINKS:
• Temple Student Government Voting
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 14, 2020 @ 8 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple’s deans, advisors and officers will face a 10% pay cut beginning in May
• An inmate in the Philadelphia prison system has died from COVID-19
• Pennsylvania is temporarily closing its police academy in Hershey
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 14, 2020 @ 9 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple’s Parliament passed a resolution that supported resolving issues for graduate student employees, such as with finances, access to health care and travel
• Governor Wolf warned against reopening the state economy
• 1.3 million Pennsylvanians are now out of work because of the COVID-19 pandemic
MORNING UPDATE: April 13, 2020 @ 10 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• ListenTU suspended its campaign for Temple Student Government last night, citing TSG indiscretions
• BloomTU will still participate in a forum tonight moderated by WHIP, Temple Update and The Temple News
• Student meal distribution sites are closed today across the city, but will be open tomorrow from 9 a.m. to noon
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 12, 2020 @ 5 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• The COVID-19 death toll in Pennsylvania has surpassed 500 but the overall number of new cases is falling
• The New York Times published an op-ed by former Vice President Joe Biden on how he would reopen the U.S. economy
• Pope Francis has called for universal basic income
MORNING UPDATE: April 12, 2020 @ 11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple’s School of Pharmacy has begun producing batches of hand sanitizer using a formula published by the World Health Organization
• Temple Student Government will host its second executive debate tomorrow on Zoom from 5-6:30 p.m.
• People across the nation have begun to receive direct deposits for their cash payments as outlined in the $2 trillion relief bill that President Trump signed in March
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 11, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• SEPTA has revoked its recent policy that all passengers must cover their faces with masks or cloths
• Governor Wolf announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry is implementing new federal unemployment compensation benefits for COVID-19 relief
• The U.S. has surpassed Italy in terms of total number of deaths from COVID-19
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 11, 2020 @ 10 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• The makeshift surge facility at the Liacouras Center will be ready to accept patients as early as Thursday
• Tuttleman Counseling Services are offering a group therapy session four times a week to help students cope with the pandemic
• Philadelphia’s 49 student meal distribution sites will be closed on April 13, but will reopen on April 14
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 10, 2020 @ 8 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• The Liacouras Center will begin training volunteers for the makeshift surge hospital on April 13, and will officially accept patients on April 16
• Temple students can now access Tuttleman counseling services virtually
• Temple and the Lenfest North Philadelphia Workforce Initiative donated approximately 90 computers to the North Philadelphia community today
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 10, 2020 @ 11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced the release of a $7 billion aid package for college students in financial distress
• The Philadelphia Archdiocese will stream Good Friday services online beginning at 3 p.m. on their website
• The Citizens Bank Park testing site officially closed today
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 9, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple University Hospital has treated 160 patients with COVID-19, which is the highest number of any hospital in the region
• SEPTA shifted to a reduced lifeline service schedule today
• Pennsylvania schools will remain closed for the remainder of the academic year
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 9, 2020 @ 11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple administrators and police reacted to a viral video of a Temple student saying a racial slur
• Temple University Athletics will partner with Nike for athletic apparel beginning in July, bringing an end to its agreement with Under Armour
• Pennsylvania schools will remain closed for the remainder of the academic year
EVENING UPDATE: April 8, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• SEPTA will operate on a lifeline schedule beginning tomorrow. As of now, 80 SEPTA workers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and three have died from the virus.
• The School District of Philadelphia will only offer free student meals next week on Tuesday and Thursday. The regular schedule will resume on April 20th.
• The National Academy of Sciences reported that the spread of COVID-19 is unlikely to diminish in the summer
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 8, 2020 @ 9 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple faculty and staff will be allowed to volunteer at the Liacouras Center’s Temporary Surge Facility
• Buildings across Philadelphia shone blue workers to celebrate health care workers in honor of World Health Day
• President Trump lashed out against the W.H.O. and is threatening to withhold funding from them
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 7, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple’s College of Engineering delivered approximately 1,200 3D-printed face shields to Temple University Hospital
• Temple has created a task force of students, faculty and administrative staff to work with Temple University Hospital to 3D print more masks
• Governor Wolf issued an order to fly all U.S. flags at Pennsylvania commonwealth facilities, public buildings and public grounds at half-staff until further notice to honor the victims of the pandemic
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 7, 2020 @ 11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Nearly 100 first responders have tested positive for COVID-19 in Philadelphia
• Wisconsin is holding its primary today as scheduled despite last-minute efforts to postpone it
• The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged yesterday and is still on the rise this morning
EVENING UPDATE: April 6, 2020 @ 6 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple students can switch to the credit/no-credit grading system as of today
• Temple’s College of Engineering sent around 1,200 3D-printed face masks to Temple University Hospital
• The Citizens Bank Park testing site will close permanently on Friday at 6 p.m.
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 6, 2020 @ 8 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• There’s one free meal site and three student meal sites near Temple’s main campus, and addresses can be found at the link below
• Traffic will be closed indefinitely between 13th and Juniper Streets beginning today as officials set up a quarantine site at the Holiday Inn Express on the 1300 block of Walnut Street
• Health officials believe that 25-50% of people infected with COVID-19 could be asymptomatic
LINKS:
• Philadelphia Meal Sites
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 5, 2020 @ 5 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple students will be able to officially switch to the credit/no-credit grading option beginning tomorrow
• Former Eagles kicker Tom Dempsey is one of 43 Philadelphians who have died from the COVID-19 pandemic
• British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was hospitalized tonight after announcing 10 days ago that he was diagnosed with COVID-19
MORNING UPDATE: April 5, 2020 @ 10 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• The Philly311 hotline will be answering calls today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Residents can either dial 3-1-1 or 215-686-8686.
• Philadelphia Courts will resume holding some adjudicatory hearings over the phone
• Governor Wolf has encouraged all Pennsylvanians to make their own face masks
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 4, 2020 @ 6 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple has created virtual information sessions and tours for prospective students
• The 1300 block of Walnut St will be closed to traffic on Monday because the city will be turning the Holiday Inn Express in Center City into a quarantine site
• Pennsylvania has surpassed 10,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19
MORNING UPDATE: April 4, 2020 @ 11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple Student Government has asked the university to issue students partial refunds for the university services fee
• P!nk announced yesterday that she had recovered from COVID-19 and then donated $500,000 to Temple University Hospital
• Governor Wolf’s administration will stop paying 9,000 state employees in an effort to cut down on spending amidst the pandemic
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 3, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple Student Government has asked the university to issue students partial refunds for the university services fee
• Philadelphians are urged to wear masks outside in accordance with the updated CDC guidelines
• Governor Wolf has encouraged Philadelphians to make their own masks
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 3, 2020 @ 10 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Highlights from Wednesday night’s TSG debate: ListenTU and BloomTU disagree over activity fee refunds for the spring semester
• The City Council of Philadelphia has passed an $85 million emergency bill to prevention measures necessary to combat the pandemic
• Half of humanity is under government lockdown orders
EVENING UPDATE: April 2, 2020 @ 5 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• BloomTU and ListenTU faced off yesterday night in the first Temple Student Government debate of the 2020 election
• Temple’s Center for Urban Bioethics has been organizing and delivering food to members of the North Philadelphia community struggling with food insecurity
• The Democratic Party has moved its National Convention to the week of August 17th. It will still be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
MORNING UPDATE: April 2, 2020 @ 9 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• The first Temple Student Government debate for the 2020 election will take place tonight at 5-6:30 p.m. on Zoom
• Trinity Health will furlough staff across five hospitals in the Philadelphia region
• 6.6 million people nationwide filed claims for unemployment benefits in the past week alone
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: April 1, 2020 @ 8 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple has released more formal guidelines for credit/no-credit grading options, and students can access it on TU Portal
• Mayor Kenney announced that all evictions in Philadelphia have been suspended until at least April 5th
• Governor Wolf extended his stay-at-home order to include all 67 counties in Pennsylvania
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: April 1, 2020 @ 10 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple has released more formal guidelines for credit/no-credit grading options, and students can access it on TU Portal
• SEPTA has suspended onboard fare payment
• Philadelphia police will now issue $100 fines to anyone found violating the city’s stay-at-home order
EVENING UPDATE: March 31, 2020 @ 4 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Reading Terminal Market is still open for home delivery
• New models show deaths related to COVID-19 reaching over 100,000 in the coming months
MORNING UPDATE: March 31, 2020 @ 9 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• President Trump approved Pennsylvania’s major disaster declaration last night, which will allow the state to receive federal funding to combat the COVID-19 pandemic
• Whole Foods employees are planning a sickout today to protest what they say is inadequate safety measures and insufficient pay for the risks they’re confronting
• The ACLU of Pennsylvania is petitioning the state Supreme Court to release nonviolent offenders from county jails to help reduce the spread of the virus
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: March 30, 2020 @ 6 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Governor Wolf has extended closures for Pennsylvania’s schools and non life-sustaining businesses indefinitely
• The Philadelphia 76ers organization has made a donation for 20,000 boxes of food for the city and 10,000 chromebooks for the School District of Philadelphia
• Governor Wolf’s stay-at-home order has been extended to April 30, 2020
LINKS:
• The Liacouras Center Becomes Makeshift Surge Hospital
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: March 30, 2020 @ 10 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• President Trump extended the federal social distancing guidelines to April 30, 2020
• Hahnemann Hospital owner Joel Freedman’s home was vandalized last night, most likely for his dispute with the city over using the facility as a surge hospital
• The UN warned that the COVID-19 pandemic could trigger a global food shortage
EVENING UPDATE: MARCH 29, 2020 @ 6 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• The Liacouras Center and other Temple facilities will be used as a space for hospital patients
• Beginning tomorrow, Philadelphia will offer free meal supplies to all residents between 10 a.m. to noon
• Governor Wolf has asked President Trump to declare Pennsylvania a “major-disaster area,” which will allow the state to receive millions in federal aid
LINKS:
• Meal Sites for Philadelphians
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: March 29, 2020 @ 10 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Beginning tomorrow, Philadelphia will offer free meal supplies to all residents between 10 a.m. to noon
• Pennsylvania will begin a series of licensing waivers for health care professionals during the pandemic
• The CDC has issued a travel advisory for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
LINKS:
• Meal Sites for Philadelphians
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: March 28, 2020 @ 5 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple’s Wellness Resource Center is hosting remote workshops on new routines and stress relief
• Philadelphia will offer free meals to all city residents at locations across the city beginning on Monday between 10 a.m. and noon
• Between five and 40 people in every Philadelphia zip code have tested positive for COVID-19
LINKS:
• Meal Sites for Philadelphians
MORNING UPDATE: March 28, 2020 @ 10 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• The Liacouras Center and other Temple facilities will be used as a space for hospital patients
• Every Philadelphia zip code has tested positive for COVID-19
• U.S. Representative Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania has tested positive for COVID-19
LINKS:
• Philadelphia COVID-19 Cases by Zip Code
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
• The New York Times’ Pandemic Bright Spots
EVENING UPDATE: March 27, 2020 @ 6 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• The Liacouras Center and other Temple facilities will be used as a space for hospital patients
• The Pennsylvania primary will be officially postponed to June 2, 2020
• President Trump officially signed the $2 trillion stimulus package that passed through the U.S. House and Senate earlier this week with bipartisan support
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: March 27, 2020 @ 11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• College students who have been declared dependents by their parents could receive no money from the direct payments that will be part of the $2 trillion stimulus package being passed to financially offset the pandemic
• Philadelphia universities have lost hundreds of millions of dollars because of the pandemic
• However, the House vote on the $2 trillion stimulus package has been delayed
EVENING UPDATE: MARCH 26, 2020 @ 6 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Temple will allow students to decide whether they want to be graded using the standard letter system this semester
• Philadelphia officials have ended their negotiations with Hahnemann University Hospital
• The U.S. now has the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: March 26, 2020 @ 9 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• University departments have been asked to prepare for a potential 5% budget cut that would go into place on July 1, according to the Temple News
• Philadelphia public health officials reported the city’s first death related to COVID-19: a man in his 50s who had underlying conditions
• The Pennsylvania primary has been pushed back to June 2
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: March 25, 2020 @ 6 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• 540,000 Pennsylvanians have filed unemployment claims since March 16, which is a new record
• Former Vice President Joe Biden does not want to participate in any more Democratic debates, saying “we’ve had enough debates” and that he’d rather focus on the COVID-19 pandemic
• President Trump’s approval ratings are at the highest level of his presidency, reaching 49% in a recent Gallup poll
MORNING UPDATE: MARCH 25, 2020 @ 8 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• The Temple News reported that students have been applying the skills they’ve learned in their major classes to help combat the pandemic
• Governor Wolf allowed several gun shops to reopen last night on a limited basis after being urged to do so by many Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices, according to 6abc
LINKS:
• The Temple News Article
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: March 24, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• University officials have decided to cancel many summer study abroad programs, including for the Intellectual Heritage program
• The South Philadelphia drive-thru testing site will be closed tomorrow due to the bad weather forecast
• Governor Wolf has expanded his stay-at-home order to Erie County
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: March 24, 2020 @ 10 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple University Graduate Students’ Association is calling for the university to expand health insurance coverage for all graduate workers and their dependents through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Temple Health is asking for donations of critical medical supplies like masks, gowns and hand sanitizer. Anyone with information on this can email Temple Health at [email protected]
LINKS:
• Temple Health Email Address: [email protected]
EVENING UPDATE: March 23, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• University officials announced this morning that the on-campus Spring 2020 Commencement Ceremony scheduled for May 7 will be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Temple Health is asking for N95 masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and other items due to the shortage of protective health care equipment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
• Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Monroe, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties are all under stay-at-home orders as of 8 p.m. this evening
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
BREAKING UPDATE: March 23, 2020 @ 11:00 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• University officials announced this morning that the on-campus Spring 2020 Commencement Ceremony scheduled for May 7 will be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• This will not prevent students who met the academic graduation requirements in Spring 2020 from earning their degrees as of May 7
• The university is exploring alternative options for the ceremony, and said it will “engage our students in the conversation” about this
MORNING UPDATE: March 23, 2020 @ 8 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• The Cherry Pantry has shifted to the Temple Police substation below Morgan Hall, and will operate on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Fridays from 3-5 p.m.
• Mayor Kenney’s stay-at-home order went into effect this morning at 8 a.m. and will remain in place until further notice
• Governor Wolf’s non-essential business closure order also went into effect at 8 a.m. this morning
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UDPATE: March 22, 2020 @ 4 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Philadelphia will increase its quarantining policy starting at 8 a.m. tomorrow by banning outdoor gatherings and requiring residents to stay inside except for essential trips
• U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) is the first member of the Senate to test positive for COVID-19
EVENING UPDATE: March 21, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple has suspended its Spring 2020 study abroad program in Japan and encouraged students currently in Japan to return home as soon as possible
• Philadelphia has indefinitely closed Martin Luther King Junior Drive to help enforce social distancing
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: March 21, 2020 @ 11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple is planning to host small business relief webinars on March 23rd and 25th as well as April 7th to help small businesses seeking loans
• Enforcement of Governor Wolf’s “life-sustaining businesses” order will be delayed until March 23rd at 8 a.m.
EVENING UPDATE: March 20, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• The drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at Citizens Bank Park opened this afternoon, and testing will be offered daily from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. for those who are eligible
• Three members of the Philadelphia 76ers organization have tested positive for COVID-19
• The Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen below its level from when President Trump was inaugurated
LINKS:
• Updated Philadelphia Meal Distribution Sites
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: March 20, 2020 @ 11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• University officials announced today that all students studying abroad in Japan must return home
• On-campus Temple students without housing extensions must vacate campus by 5 p.m. tomorrow
• The national tax-filing deadline has been moved from April 15 to July 15
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: March 19, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple’s Ambler Campus will open a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site for healthcare workers and people over 50 with symptoms on Saturday at 10 a.m.
• Temple’s Charles Library, TECH Center, and Student Center will close indefinitely as of tonight
• The City of Philadelphia has established a fund for people to make donations to the nonprofits combating the pandemic
LINKS:
• PHL COVID-19 Fund
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: March 19, 2020 @ 11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Charles Library will remain closed indefinitely as of 6 p.m. last night
• Global stocks continued to fall this morning
EVENING UPDATE: March 18, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple will provide students with prorated refunds for some of the on-campus services they will no longer be able to access due to the transition to virtual classes
• Philadelphia has experienced an increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19 due to the city conducting more testing
• The U.S. Senate approved a relief package today and President Trump is expected to sign it
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: March 18, 2020 @ 11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• BREAKING: Temple University spokesperson Ray Betzner announced today that two additional students tested positive for COVID-19, bringing Temple’s total up to 3 cases
• Temple has temporarily relocated the Cherry Pantry to the Temple Police substation below Morgan Hall (at the corner of Park Avenue and Cecil B. Moore)
• President Trump announced in a tweet today that the U.S.-Canada border will temporarily close, but that this will not impact trade
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: March 17, 2020 @ 6 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• The Temple University Career Center is continuing to offer services virtually
• Pennsylvania Task Force 1 was deployed at Citizens Bank Park
• The White House is said to support the idea of sending cash payments to Americans
LINKS:
• Pennsylvania Guide to COVID-19
• Gov. Wolf’s COVID-19 Guide for Businesses
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: March 17, 2020 @11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Hospital staff are preparing to establish a new COVID-19 testing site outside of Jefferson Health at 10th and Sansom Streets
• Governor Tom Wolf requires all non-essential businesses in Pennsylvania to close for 14 days
• The Federal Reserve will be buying up commercial paper in an effort to prevent the economy from spiraling
LINKS:
• The Temple News Emergency Aid Resources
• Governor Wolf Press Release
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: March 16, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple encourages students living off-campus to return home and warns that those hosting parties are subject to the Student Conduct Code
• Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney announced today that only essential commercial establishments should remain open
• President Trump recommended today that gatherings of over 10 people should be avoided
LINKS:
• Mayor Kenney’s Press Release
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: March 16, 2020 @ 10 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Governor Tom Wolf ordered four counties in the Greater Philadelphia region to close all restaurants and bars effective immediately
• The CDC recommended that people avoid any gatherings of over 50 people
• Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders went head-to-head last night in a Democratic debate that highlighted how they would respond to the spread of COVID-19 if they were elected president
LINKS:
• Temple Zoom Webinar @2pm Today
• Philadelphia Youth Meal and Activities Sites
• SEPTA Regional Rail Schedule
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
EVENING UPDATE: March 15, 2020 @ 8 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple’s transition to online classes and alternative learning methods begins tomorrow
• Philadelphia has eight confirmed cases of COVID-19
• An anonymous government official announced today that a clinical trial will begin in Washington State tomorrow to test a potential vaccine to prevent coronavirus
LINKS:
• Microsoft Office 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud
• Comcast Internet Essentials
• Charles Library Schedule
• Greater Philadelphia Coronavirus Helpline Number: 1 (800) 722-7112
• Philadelphia COVID-19 Free Text Alerts: text “COVIDPHL” to 888-777
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
MORNING UPDATE: March 15, 2020 @ 11 a.m.
KEY POINTS:
• A Temple student has tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling to Spain over spring break
• A COVID-19 Helpline was created for the Greater Philadelphia community, and the number is 1 (800) 722-7112
• President Trump has tested negative for coronavirus
LINKS:
• First Confirmed Temple COVID-19 Case
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
BREAKING UPDATE: March 14, 2020 @ 9 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Temple University officials confirmed on Saturday night that a student who traveled to Spain over spring break has tested positive for COVID-19
• The student lived in off-campus housing and has not been on main campus since Wednesday afternoon
• The student’s symptoms are mild
EVENING UPDATE: March 14, 2020 @ 7 p.m.
KEY POINTS:
• Trump administration to expand European travel ban
• Pennsylvania to prohibit utility termination
• School District of Philadelphia to provide free meals and activities throughout closing
• Charles Library announces updated schedule
LINKS:
• The New York Times COVID-19 National Tracker
• PA Department of Health COVID-19 Updates
• School District of Philadelphia Updates
• Charles Library Schedule
