Smart Talk: What’s driving record COVID cases in Pa.?

Also, the view of the American election from abroad

• 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.

 Mario Tama / Getty Images

COVID-19 mortality rates are going down, according to studies of two large hospital systems, partly thanks to improvements in treatment.

Pennsylvania set a record in the 24-hour period that ended Thursday at midnight with 2,900 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Nationally, there were almost 108,000 cases reported – another record.

Clearly the fall surge has arrived.

What’s driving it and what is being done to slow it down?

Also, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has a plan to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine when one is available.

WITF’s Transforming Health reporter Brett Sholtis is on Friday’s Smart Talk to provide details.

Meanwhile, what does the American election this week look like from abroad?

Lancaster County native Ben Pontz is studying in Great Britain and shares some insight on Friday’s program.