January 2021—Snow Fall I was at the kitchen sink looking out at the snow falling. A flash of memory comes. I remember when my cousin John, college friend Joanne, and I walked at night in a snowstorm — we trekked from my parents’ new home all the way past town to a bridge outcropping on the Delaware River, probably a part of the steel mill…
The Chester County Coroner’s Office has investigated seven winter weather-related fatalities so far this year. Hypothermia — dangerously low body temperature — caused or contributed to the deaths of six Chester County residents. Of those six, four persons were found outdoors and two died inside homes with inadequate or no heat. The ages of these decedents ranged from 59 to 87. All but one were…
Delaware County will conduct public drive-thru COVID-19 testing at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby through Friday, February 26. Those wishing to be tested must register. Testing will be available for insured and uninsured individuals 12 years of age or older who live or work in Delaware County and have COVID-19 symptoms, were exposed to COVID-19, or are considered critical/essential workers. Individuals must pre-register at www.delcopa.gov/testing…
Brandywine Hospital – Tower Health received doses of the recently approved COVID-19 drug bamlanivimab, a monoclonal antibody to treat individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. The drug, developed by Eli Lilly, was approved by the FDA for patients 12 years and older under “emergency use authorization,” according to a press release This status allows new medications that have passed general safety tests and have preliminarily demonstrated effectiveness…
Reframing is a tool of psychotherapy, particularly family therapy, in which you help a person see their problematic situation in a new light. Sometimes, the change of one word or a phrase can shift the perspective. I remember a colleague discussing with another colleague his concern about getting older and working less — he called that his withering. The astute listener responded, “how about considering…
Delaware County opened a COVID-19 Call Center on Monday, Jan. 25, to answer COVID-19 related questions from individuals, organizations, and businesses. The COVID-19 Call Center will be open Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. In addition to responding to phone calls, the Center will also respond to emailed inquiries. While the Call Center staff will attempt to answer all…
The Chester County Health Department is processing the impact of the recent changes made by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, moving those over the age of 65 and those 16-64 with certain medical conditions into Phase 1A. However, shortages in the number of vaccines remain. This change adds 90,000-plus eligible people to Phase 1A, a large increase of eligible people for Phase 1A. On average,…
The YMCA of Greater Brandywine is offering a free six-week "Reset Challenge" to shake off the effects of last year. “[Twenty-twenty] was hard and has taken a toll on everyone in some way. Members of our community have experienced exhaustion, isolation, and in many cases, may just be sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, which is why it’s time to reset,” a press…
Delaware County is continuing to vaccinate specific personnel cited in the Phase 1A portion of the program despite a shortage of vaccine. “Due to the limited supply of the vaccine, healthcare workers, EMS staff, long-term care facilities, and medical examiner and funeral staff are the priority for vaccination distribution,” a press release said. To date, 12,343 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, the release said, which…
Delaware County will continue to conduct public drive-thru COVID-19 testing at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby and the US Army Reserve in Upland on select dates during the week of January 11. Testing will be available for insured and uninsured individuals 12 years of age or older who live or work in Delaware County and have COVID-19 symptoms, were exposed to COVID-19, or are considered…
An additional 1,000 volunteers are needed to support the County’s ongoing COVID-19 vaccination efforts. The Citizen Corps of Delaware County is planning to significantly expand its volunteer base and is currently recruiting and training to meet this critical goal. While Delaware County has already begun vaccinations for the segment of the population classified as Phase 1A (which includes healthcare workers, EMS workers, medical examiners, funeral…