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COVID-19: The Latest

Poll: Few Americans think schools should return to normal

BOSTON (AP) — Virtual instruction. Mandated masks. Physical distancing. The start of school will look very different this year because of the coronavirus — and that’s OK with the vast majority of Americans. Only about 1 in 10 Americans think daycare centers, preschools or K-12 schools should open this fall without restrictions, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs. Most think mask requirements and other safety measures are necessary to restart in-person instruction, and roughly 3 in 10 say that teaching kids in classrooms shouldn’t ...

U.S. signs agreement for COVID-19 vaccine doses

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration will pay Pfizer nearly $2 billion for a December delivery of 100 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine the pharmaceutical company is developing, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced Wednesday. The U.S. could buy another 500 million doses under the agreement, Azar said. “Now those would, of course, have to be safe and effective” and approved by the Food and Drug Administration, Azar said during an appearance on Fox News. Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE announced separately that the agreement is with HHS and the Defense ...

July 23: Events canceled/postponed due to coronavirus

Due to the precautions being taken surrounding the coronavirus, the following changes have been made regarding events and meetings in the local area: ¯ The planned in-person graduation ceremony for Brooke High School’s Class of 2020 set for today has been canceled. ¯ The 2020 Ohio River Sweep has been postponed to 2021, and the date will be determined. ¯ The annual Teddy Bear Tea held in July at Mary H. Weir Public Library has been canceled. It will resume in July 2021. ¯ Mingo Community Days, normally held each July, has been canceled. ¯ The 203rd annual on-site Hollow Rock ...

Pennsylvania won’t allow Blue Jays to play at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park

TORONTO — The state of Pennsylvania won't allow the Toronto Blue Jays to play at PNC Park in Pittsburgh amid the coronavirus pandemic, health officials announced Wednesday. "In recent weeks, we have seen a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in southwestern Pennsylvania," ...

$2.8M in coronavirus aid available to West Virginia county clerks for election

CHARLESTON — With the Nov. 3 general election 105 days away, state election officials announced plans for federal coronavirus relief funds to prepare, though the Democratic candidate for Secretary of State said more details need to be released on mail-in absentee voting. West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner announced Monday that $2.8 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Recovery Act was available for all 55 county clerks for expenses related to the pandemic and preparations for the November general election. “Our successful primary election held during the ...

Brooke County parents have options for new school year

WELLSBURG — Brooke County Schools wants to give students and their families the option of in-person classes or remote learning at home as re-entry plans are being finalized for the upcoming school year. The plans should be ready for presentation to members of the board of education at their meeting Monday night, according to Stephanie Zimmer, director of technology, assessment and communication for Brooke County Schools. “We’re continuing to develop three plans, and those plans will be in a red, yellow and green phase,” Zimmer said. “We’re hoping to go back on a full ...