Smart Talk updates the coronavirus in Pa.

Why events are being shutdown and how to prepare

• Scott LaMar
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 Via National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, isolated from a patient. Image captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. (via NIAID)

More than 20 people have been confirmed with or presumed to have contracted COVID-19 or the coronavirus in Pennsylvania. Medical experts say that number is sure to rise as more people are tested.

The response in Pennsylvania and around the country has been akin to what happens after a natural disaster — except that plans to prevent the spread of the illness will impact more people. Already, hundreds of public events have been cancelled or postponed to keep big crowds from coming into contact with one another. Professional, college and High School sports games and tournaments are cancelled or scheduled later, some schools have closed and colleges and universities are extending spring breaks or offering classes online only.

Gov. Tom Wolf outlined “mitigation” plans on Thursday to contain the virus. Montgomery County in southeastern Pennsylvania is the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the state with more than half the cases showing up there. As a result, Wolf ordered schools and day care centers closed and has asked Montgomery County residents to refrain from all non-essential travel. The governor says he may impose statewide restrictions if the illness continues to spread.

On Friday’s Smart Talk, we update the coronavirus in Pennsylvania.

Our guests include Dr. Drew Harris, a population health and health policy educator, presenter, consultant and advocate at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia to discuss why “social distancing” is important. Also, Mark Walters, the Public Information Officer for York County describes how everyone should prepare in the event of an emergency, Mark Ross with the Hospital and Health System Association of PA will talk about hospital preparedness, and finally, Gus Faucher, Chief Economist with PNC Financial Services Group will share his perspective on the market impact of the Pandemic.