While the number of cases of the COVID 19 or the coronavirus pandemic continue to grow in the U.S. and Pennsylvania, WITF’s Smart Talk focuses on many aspects of the illness and the nation’s response to it. Smart Talk is committed to providing context and answering questions during these extraordinary times.
Featured on Wednesday’s Smart Talk coverage of the COVID-19 coronavirus emergency are discussions that focus on COVID-19 and lung health and the respiratory system; a WITF initative to help students learn while they’re out of school and at home; and details of Pennsylvania’s income tax deadline being delayed.
COVID-19 is an illness that attacks the respiratory system. One of the most noticeable symptoms is that those afflicted present with a dry cough. The illness becomes more critical when the patient is having trouble breathing and or goes into respiratory failure. That’s one of the reasons ventilators are so important to save lives.
Penn State Hershey allergist and immunologist Dr. Timothy Craig, MD, is on Wednesday’s Smart Talk to provide more information and answer questions about COVID-19 the coronavirus. Dr. Craig is on the American Lung Association Camp Hill’s local leadership board. (Dr. Craig recommends listeners visit the Centers for Disease Control website for the latest information on the COVID-19 emergency)
Also, hundreds of thousands of students are at home in Pennsylvania after Gov. Tom Wolf ordered schools to close earlier this month. It will be at least two weeks before they re-open. Some classes are continuing online and through distance learning but many students have little access to educational resources or materials.
WITF is launching a new initiative called Learning at Home that includes a website with dozens of educational resources for children, their parents and families while the emergency continues.
WITF’s Director of Education Debbie Riek and Director of Programming and Promotions Fred Vigeant are on Smart Talk to provide more details.
The income tax bill won’t be due April 15th both federally and in Pennsylvania due to the coronavirus outbreak. Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Revenue Dan Hassell joins us on Wednesday’s Smart Talk to explain and answer questions. For more information visit the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue website.
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