COVID-19

Federal funding is available to help cover funeral expenses for people who died of COVID-19; nearly 7,000 Pennsylvanians have applied already.

Pennsylvania’s much criticized COVID-19 vaccine provider map is no more. The state is directing people to find vaccinations through the federal government’s Vaccine Finder tool.

Most of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 mitigation orders expire on Memorial Day. Several public health and medical professionals say this is a reasonable step.

On today’s program: The Pittsburgh-based Black Equity Coalition tracks the rate of vaccinations among Black and white residents and wants the state to release more detailed data about who is and isn’t vaccinated; Heather McGhee discusses her book, “The Sum of Us,” about how racially motivated economic and policy decisions hurt everyone; and the commonwealth’s long history of voting by mail.

Kennywood opens this Saturday. The park will use COVID-19 safety measures similar to last season, but will return to regular operating hours. The park will operate at 75% capacity and is encouraging guests to reserve tickets online.

The Wolf administration has pleaded with college students to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible. But the question of where to get a second dose if a student leaves campus before their next appointment has left some students confused; others are holding off on getting vaccinated at all.

Only 49% of staff at Pennsylvania’s personal care homes and assisted living facilities have gotten COVID-19 vaccines, according to the state Department of Human Services. Officials speculated that lack of information and high staff turnover rates could be contributing to the low vaccine uptake.

Half of all Pennsylvania Republicans polled say they don’t plan to get immunized.

On today's program: Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner explains why he’s challenging the constitutionality of the state’s use-of-force law; Governor Wolf ‘s budget adds money to the state’s pre-school programs, but some worry it won’t be enough to support high -quality early learning; and a look at how the pandemic has upended kids’ social lives.

Deaths from drug overdoses accelerated during the pandemic, according to preliminary data published earlier this month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were more than 87,000 overdose-related deaths, the highest number ever recorded in a 12-month period. Western Pennsylvania groups that help people struggling with substance use disorder say they have had to adjust the ways they offer treatment and support over the past year.