Hello and welcome to PBSC.

39 in WLVT community updatn coronavirus presented by Capital Blue Cross and brot Capital Blue Cross and bror community partner Lehigh Vy Health Network.

We are coming to you live m the Public Media Center in Bethlehem.

I'm Brittany Sweeney.

Our guests today include an infectious disease doctor s keeping close tabs on infen rates and vaccinations.

Also with us is Bethlehem r Robert Donchez, our guest l be with us in just a few minutes.

If you have a question, yon give us a call.

The phone number is four et four eight two one zero zeo zero eight.

We'll answer some of your questions live.

Plus four coronavirus upda.

Be sure t sign up forur newsletter.

You can do that at our webe coronavirus Lehigh Valley.

Dog.

You can find helpful information there in both English and Spanish.

Now let's take a look at today's top headlines.

According to the Centers fr Disease Control and Preven, more than half of Pennsylva population has received at least the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine.

50.3 percent of Pennsylvans are at least partial to be vaccinated.

Over 8.6 million shots have been administered today.

The Ste Department of Heal reported 1728 new coronavis infections and 22 more dea.

The seven day moving averaf cases is down 16% from a wk ago.

New Jersey will lift all Covid-19 outdoor gathering limits and remove a 50% capacity limit indoors on restaurants and bars.

That's as long as six foot distancing can be maintain.

Governor Phil Murphy annoud the changes today, but they don't take effect until May 19th.

Murphy said New Jersey's positive trends are enablig the moves.

They mean summer events lie fireworks displays and Julh parades can go forward.

And in Harrisburg, Republin state lawmakers say Pennsylvania should immediy terminate the state contraf a company that performs tht performed Covid-19 contact tracing and exposed private medical information of tenf thousands of residents.

GOP leaders today called fr state and federal investigations into Incyte Global's mishandling of the data and wt they said was e slow response by the Wolf administration.

The contract expires in the months.

Let's meet our guests for e day Dr Luther Rhodes is an infectious disease specialt and Lehigh Valley Health Network who has been a gret resource in guiding through this pandemic.

Also with us is Mayor Robet Donchez and his eighth and final year of leading the y of Bethlehem.

We thank you both so much r joining us.

Dr Rose will be with you in just a few minutes.

Mayor, dontcha, as we would like to begin with you tod, Thanks again for being her.

My pleasure.

Thank you.

Now, because of term limit, 2021 will be your final yen office.

I guess it's fair to say no period has been more diffit for you than the last 16 ms or challenging.

I should say.

So tell us about that and w the city is positioned to e through this pandemic.

Well, again, thank you for having me.

And let me say that we're y fortunate in a city of Bethlehem to have our own health department, as doese city of Allentown.

I really can't imagine goig through this over the last, 15 months without a health department.

So kudos to Christopher Rie and her team here in the cy of Bethlehem.

They have done an outstandg job.

I remember my first meetinn Covid with her was March 1, about 14 months ago.

And we've been meeting weey and sometimes two or three times a week and then we bn to vaccinate the public.

As of yesterday, we have actually vaccinated 31,000 individuals.

That's the city of Bethlehm Telford, the Palmerton.

We have almost 25,000 dividuals that have reived both vaccines.

They really want to say thk you to the school districtr allowing us to use Northeat Middle School that Moravian College.

half months we've been at n cricket.

They've been a great partnr and plus the cooperation tt we have received from Lehih Valley Hospital at St Lukes said the college is a university.

It's really been very mucha team efft here and we're nt out of the woods yet.

We have a long way to go aI think we've done a very god job.

In fact, I think the Lehigh Valley is probably ahead oe curve than other parts of e state and I think we're vey fortunate again to have tho health departments that to really very well known andy qualified health networks .

So I think we're very fortunate, blessed here in Lehigh Valley.

Sure.

Definitely a regional effot from all different entitie.

Gordon says this time lastr we were seeing Lockdown's e seeing job losses.

It was hard to imagine that municipalities would be abo balance their budgets.

But now we'rebout a year or so into this and it seemede the blow was not quite as .

Why is that?

Well, I think, you know, a, I think the Lehigh Valley t both counties under the leadership of Don Cunningh, the Lehigh Valley economic Development Corporation, we very well positioned even n the city of Bethlehem.

We had very few businessest actually closed during thet 14 months, very few restaus are closed now.

We have spent a good amounf money here in the city, mof it Covid related to almost2 million up to our restaants with parklet and planters t small businesses.

And I would say we probably have reached close to two 2 million and we continue too that over summer time.

In addition to that, with e amount of money that we spt on sanitizers that PPE thrh the state, that was we were very fortunate there.

But you know, we did see ie city of Bethlehem last yeaa Big Dipper revenues ande hd to cut expenses.

We had to furlough some pe.

We had to freeze spending.

We didn't have any summer programing.

We didn't open up the poll.

The most profitable aspectf our government was the golf course.

People wanted to get out ad play golf, but we did see a number of new businesses me into the city and we just a great announcement three ws ago that Nike is moving ino the city of Bethlehem and Majestic Realty and their e commerce for the parts of e East Coast.

So our job opportunities ie city continue to move forwd in a very positive way, especially on the former Bethlehem steel property.

So we didn't see in a contraction.

We really have seen expans.

And when you look at LVHN P seven and Majestic, reallye former Bethlehem Steel properties, we are close ta 90% build with 1.6 dollars billion invested and closeo 8000 people working there 0 years ago that would have n unheard.

So we see Wind Creek Casino building their second hoted a lot of plants like the c, our sister cities of Easton Allentown for new apartmen.

People want to live in the urban core.

So we're very bleed in a w. We went to very challenging times and we're not out ofe we're not out of the woods.

But you know, we're at a pt now where things are slowly opening up, getting back to normal.

So what do you foresee fors summer when it comes to po, entertainment venues, even music fest, which is a big, how do we see for the summ?

Well, I think the pools gos to open at least two We're having a difficult te as many other communities e getting enough lifeguards.

And if anybody would like e a lifeguard at Sidney Powe, please call Ci Hall.

And so we do flat open at t two pools.

The golf course is open any goal is to open up three p. Actually, if we could get enough lifeguards are the playgrounds will be open to basketball leagues will be open.

We'll be doing a lot of activities with our recrean director.

You will see the police out many of the community parkb Haaland parks.

So we're planning to have a very full summer in the arf recreation.

Our golf course, April wasa record month.

We have pretty good weathe.

It was the best month of Al financially that we've eved in t city's history.

So things are moving in a y positive direction and we t to continue to see that in City.

Sure.

Mayor, what will the 1.9 trillion dollar federal stimulus package mean for Pennsylvania cities like Bethlehem?

What would that do for the $64,000 question?

We hope to have the guidels from the Treasury Departmey next week.

We have a rough idea what e could spend it on and we're starting to put together a plan, but we really don't w for sure until we receive e guidelines from the Treasuy Department.

We've been on conference c. Congresswoman Wylde, alongh Senator Casey.

So we have a rough idea ano I really don't want to geto specifics or any announcem, but music fest, we there wl be a there will be a scaled back music festival year, e a little larger than last .

But going back to 2019 andl let Kasey Gilberton, the executive director of musi.

She'll speak to that in a couple of weeks.

Sure.

Any other sneak peeks as tw Any other sneak peeks as t?

Well, I would hope to if we allowed to.

I'll give you the safe one would be put money in the street overlies does very difficult with you know, wd the pandemic that we had 55 inches of snow over the coe of the over of the winter.

It did a tremendous amount damage to our streets.

We have about 300 mes of streets in the city of Bethlehem.

So we're allowed to I certy would like to spend money n street overlays.

But again, once we got alle guidelines, I'll be able to give more specifics.

Sure.

All right.

As we move forward, we'll e to check back in on that.

In the meantime, a lot of things opening back up.

Restaurants are able to hae more people coming in and .

So what was the city and wt was done for for small businesses during the pandc to keep them moving forwar?

And when we talk about them opening back up to full capacity, hopefully sometin the future, will those part that we see at the restaurs Wi they continue to remain?

Well, I did put the park ot again about two weeks ago.

I like the idea.

I would hope that the next mayor continues the park b. I think it adds a lot of vitality to your downtown d it helps the restaurants.

So the park looks to plann.

They've announced last year that we just put them out n for about two weeks ago.

Hopefully they'll stay outl around November, the beging of November.

I would hope it would becon annual thing.

We probably have give it oo small businesses, especialy the restaurants about $2 million here in the city at Bethlehem in loans and gra, along with money that Northampton County gave directly to businesses.

So we try to do everything possible to keep small buss operating and I'm very appreciative of all the thk you's I got from restauran, from our retail establishms and small businesses saying thank whether it was $2,00r five or ten thousand that e gave out, but we probably e spentlmost $2 million in distributing money to try o save our small businesses because small businesses ia city Allentown, Bethlehem, Bristol, that's your lifele and especially our downtow, that's Main Street, Broad Street, that's K and then h Street and 3rd Street on te south side.

So I felt it was a wise investment to make in our community by helping small businesses try to survive.

And do you think the throuh the worst of it at this po, you think we're on the uptk when it comes to small businesses getting back on track?

I do.

I think I was Allentown lat Saturday, not this past wed and downtown was crowded ad six o'clock.

six o'clock.PThe restauran, the sidewalks werpacked.

So that's a very positive .

And I think people now are starting to have a little e comfort level, especially f they've been vaccinated.

They go out in the public.

I still think you have to e practice social distancingd everything else.

But I think there's more oa comfort level, especially f you've been vaccinated.

So, you know, we're in a py but again, it's been a team effort at our health depart has done just a wonderful b of cooperation.

The two health networks atr colleges and universities.

I just feel we're very bled that we're ahead of the ref the state.

Sure.

I know you mentioned Wind k and it's a significant reve source for the city of Bethlehem.

How was that impacted durig the coronavirus pandemic dg the height of the pandemicd our plans still on the tabe for things like a hotel, me a water park.

Are they still on the drawg board right now where the l the second hotel is ing constructed now?

So they're moving forward n that's about $140 million project will be about a 270 room hotel.

So that's taking place as e speak.

But you're right, the casio was shut down for weeks.

We don't have any busses cg in from New York.

But I will say that, you k, the casino has been great o work with.

We get $9.8 million a yearm a casino as a host fee.

We did receive that last y.

We will receive that this .

But we're drop our revenued was on the table games and that's where the revenue ry decreased.

So you we were looking at 5 million deficit last year despite tightening the budt and putting a freeze on spending and eliminating at of summer programs and we e able to get it down to aboa million dollars deficit.

We did unfortunately have a small tax increase and this year hopefully things wille better.

But when we the $9.8 milli, that's a whole state we did receive that payment last r and we are receiving it ths year to any word on the war park that seems fun is than the future maybe five, ten years from now, I would sae Creek wants to make there e casino, a destination siter the Northeast.

Now because of Covid, theyy have to evaluate the idea a water park and that would o the number two shop, whicha very long building.

It's a third of a mile lon, was one of the largest buildings in America in 1,.

And so but they really wand to develop this site.

I would say probably like u said, maybe over the next e or t years they have 30, 40 acres to develop and privae developers own the old buig not too far from where youe at today.

And we're talking to devels about that, a plan several apartment complexes plan fr 3rd Street, several apartmt complexes planned for Broad Street.

So we've been very fortunae and that's a positive signt things are moving in the rt direction economically.

Sure.

And while we're on the topf redevelopment May 19th, itl be the two year anniversary since Martin Tower w was taken down.

What are the plans?

Are there any plans moving forward for that space?

I know office space in gen, the demand for us kind of diminishing with so many pe working from home, our plan the table to make that offe space are something else.

Yes, that's 53 acres.

It's actually Chris designation.

So there's tax benefits th.

It's kind of a junior versn of Allentown news.

But yes, there are plans to council has a proposal befe them for tomorrow's meetinr some medical office buildi, a restauant, several restaurants, a hotel alongh a supermarket that apartmes to the rear of the propert.

These are just some of the ideas that the developer hs put forward that will be possibly discussed and votn tomorrow.

The city council.

Sure.

Mayor Bob Dan Newhouse, I l have one more questin for u before we let you go today.

What'seen the highlight of your tenure as mayor?

I Telford Allentown school district for 35 years, Amea government and I enjoyed teaching and I keep in touh with many, many students ad I've been fortunate here to serve us Tullytown since 16 eight years as president of City Council, now eight yes as mayor.

It's just a privilege and n honor to serve the public .

The City of Bethlehem.

There's been so many highls over the course of my care.

But again, I can't do anytg without people around me ad I'm very fortunate to have good, good team, good cabit people, good department hes and the public has always n very receptive.

Whatever I go out to walkig tours and we try to do thre walking forwards a year whe we distributed over 2000 se detectors.

We stopped that with the C, needless to say, and that s always very positive recei.

So I've been very blessed.

It's truly been an honor serving the citizens of Bethlehem for 26 years andt will come and it will end e begiing of January.

Well, best of luck to you d your new endeavor.

Mayor of Bethlehem Robert Donchez.

Thanks for joining us toda.

Thank you.

My pleasure.

Thank you.

And we continue this commuy update on coronavirus on P. You can hear the rebroadcan the radio tonight at nine n 91 three WLVT.

Now let's bring in our next guest.

Dr Luther Rhodes has been h us many times before.

He's been a trusted sourcef information and someone wen rely on to tell like it is.

Doctor, thank you so much.

Once again for joining us.

Thank you, Brittany.

Great to be here and greato follow a very positive the individual meridanhows.

Well, it's great to have yu back.

We heard earlier in the headlines infection rates e down.

We're approaching 9 million vaccinations in Pennsylvan.

Are you seeing getting a br grip on beating this pande?

Let's start there today wih you.

The answer is yes.

We're getting our footing,t it isn't as we all hope.

Perhaps a year ago that one news broke.

It would be from bad news o all good news.

But it turns out the realis in between we're getting md things.

My doctors myself, my see w Covid infected patients evy day.

We still do.

I did Sellersville today.

So Covid is still with us.

It's families.

It's still contagious.

It's still dangerous at the same time, there's widesprd vaccination.

So you have two things goin Weissport vaccination and spreading of a virus.

So you're bound to see what we're seeing at people whoe had one vaccine or ready tt vaccinated when they develp Covid.

So it's it amplifies the importance that as soon asu can get vaccinated, pleaset vaccinated.

But before that process is complete, act responsibly.

The particularly difficult challenges are family even.

Truth be told, I left the e of Pennsylvania for a famiy event for the first time i4 monthshis past weekend.

And although the airports e that easy experience, every was Mark Knouse the airpla, everybody was Marzook.

When you get to the actual family event, it's another matter.

It's an easy it's interestg thing how as the events ale you can become a little les protective.

And word to the wise is ths an end game of this.

There is a point that we wl get where we'll think backf the old days when everybods so concerned about widespr.

But we're not there yet.

We really do have to take t of precaution because we're right at the outer cusp of widespread public gatherin.

And there's nothing safer,y the way, than an outdoor gathering, but it's not rik free.

People who are ill should definitely stay home and Telford out the two week quarantine period comes and goes, but is not it?

It's not the right time no.

To trip over your own feets close to the goal line.

So it is important to be careful, be cautious, antix nation is still a high priy and resources access to vaccines.

As Mayor Don just poied ou, we have two giant networksn this area and that's to the advantage of all citizens d our area.

So I think people are so er to just be done with this pandemic.

I know myself, I'm just re.

But like you're saying, its just not the time to let yr guard down quite yet.

And you're talking about fy events, but to New Jersey announced that they are eng limits on outdoor capacity.

As we mentioned, for many events, you'll see fans bat baseball games, NBA games.

50,000 at the Kentucky Dery this past weekend.

Do we think it's time for ?

Are we rushing us or is itK to start bringing peoe back into stands and to those br events Gamma Well, I thinks a calculated risk.

We can stay in our basemens and do nothing and have the casualties that causes thee know that we know that the damages that occur, the financial personal health disadvantages of locking ourselves in our basement.

But when we come out of the basement, out of the storm shelters and start to m wit other folks, we have to dot as best we can be, be smart about it and particularly f someone's ill, not to atten event just because you've n waiting for so long for sun event that the cough, that chest tightness and fever d so on, that you're going to blame on something else lie it's my allergies.

Not at all.

This ia time to try to keep your guard up, enjoy what e starting to see.

Nice to see people out a about.

It was nice to see the eves opening, but I don't kid myself.

There's nothing more focusg than to come to work each y and have two or three new consultation's of new casef Covid pneumonia.

Sure, you're seeing it first-hand.

Dr Robert Murphy.

Do you have a couple of cor questions, Pat?

Is asking about the Covid-9 vaccine and the length of e that you're covered?

He asks about Covid itselff you can track Covid after Covid, how long do you kinf have that immunity?

Same thing when it comes te first shot and then of cou, two shots.

So if you could talk a lite bit about the length of tie that you're covered when yu get these shots and vaccinations truly?

Well, certainly Covid is different than most other things we haven't in the pt that well, if you have meas or Monsur chicken pox or whatever, that you go throh theisease and then run rigt out, get vaccinated.

So Covid is different.

The Covid infection itselff was a school teacher, I wod grade its protection of yot a gentleman's C, C plus D t was doesn't sound that gre, but that's the facts.

Is the disease itself giveu some protection approximaty three months.

But that's not sufficient.

The vaccine, however, is an eight plus and this is an @unusual condition.

obably the first microenvironment or where u have the vaccine so much better, if you will, than a disease.

So what do you do if you ha mixture of the two, if youe Covid infection, you've goe bit of immunity, but it's t the best immunity.

So you want to supplement .

You want to strengthen that support to your health anda vaccine to do that.

They give you a a a protecn beyond or in addition to te disease is certainly is confusing to people.

I apologize that appropriae difficult to explain.

It's different than most or conditions that we've run .

That's why you hear the exs on the national scene sortf Digirolamo even because the picture has changed.

However, it's becoming more clear where 14, 15, 16 mons into this, we have a game n now on things to do and ths not to do.

That we did not have befor.

That's very short DLuther Rhodes.

We have another question.

This one from Jana in Drum.

She said, Is there any evie that the Moderna vaccine cs joint or nerve pain?

She got her first dose and that's kind of what she's feeling at this point.

Is that normal for a percee up to 10, 12, 15% there are people who have musculoskel that aches and pains and s, but they should be short duration, certainly less ta week.

Anything beyond that.

It would be certainly the examiners call your doctord say, hey, look, I'm still having these symptoms relatively mild aches and s after injections, Ilhan Omr not pleasant are certainlyl recognized.

They can be treated usualls other aches and pains with Tylenol and mokra and so o.

But if it's more severe ore persistent, give your doctr either a call or text hower you communicate wityour provider.

Sure.

Dr Luther Rhodes before wet you go, if you could answer quickly.

One in thre people, a new study out says one in three people don't plan to get vaccinated.

What does that mean for the who have been vaccinated ad for fighting this pandemic?

Well, first, I respect the decision somebody makes thr own health.

I do.

And I would say that it's o the other two thirds to to convince the one third of e advantages of the vaccine.

All right.

So do your parts tell your friends and family to get vaccinated.

That's your advice.

Here it is.

Works better than the persl example.

I wouldn't tell somebody ee to get a vaccine.

I haven't taken myself wonderful as always.

Dr Luther Rhodes, thank yoo much for joining us from Lh Valley Health Network.

And we thank you for joinis for community update on Coronavirus.

We'll be here 4:00pm each We'll be here 4:00pm eachMn PBS39 and on the radio at e 30 those same nights on WLT News will be back Wednesdat four with Lucretia Brown, deputy superintendent withe Allentown School District.

If you have a question, yon always give us a call.

The phone number is four et four eight two one zero zeo zero eight four PBS39 and T Dan Newhouse.

I'm Brittany Sweeney Staci Inez.