>>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE ALL HANDS ON DECK.

>> BETHLEHEM'S ORSWORE TECHNOLOGIES IS JOINING THE FIGHT AGAINST CORONAVIRUS AFTER WINNING A CONTRACT TO DEVELOP AN AT HOME CORONAVIRUS TEST.

>> WE KNOW THE CLOCK IS TICKING HERE AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO GET BACK TO THEIR NORMAL LIVES.

I THINK THE MORE WE CAN HELP WITH TESTING FOR THE MASSES THE BETTER OFF WE WILL BE.

>> THEY WILL USE OVER $700,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO DEVELOP A RAPID ANTIGEN TEST TO HELP PEOPLE KNOW IF THEY HAVE GOTTEN CORONAVIRUS, IF THEY FEEL SICK OR NOT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU.

>> WHILE THE PRESIDENT REVEALED A FDA APPROVED CORONAVIRUS THAT RETURNS TESTS IN FIVE TO 15 MINUTES THAT TEST REQUIRED A DOCTOR OR A NURSE.

THIS ONE WON'T.

>> OUR TEST IS DESIGNED TO BE USED BY THE INDIVIDUAL SO THE INDIVIDUAL CAN SWAB THE GUM AT HOME AND KNOW AT HOME IN 20 MINUTES IF THEY ARE POSITIVE FOR THE ANTIGEN.

THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE THAT TEST WOULD INDICATE THAT YOU ARE INFECTIOUS.

>> Reporter: DETERMINING IF SOMEONE CAN SPREAD CORONAVIRUS TO OTHERS IS CRITICAL TO STOPPING CORONAVIRUS BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THE CDC DIRECTOR, AS MANY AS 25% OF THOSE WITH IT DON'T HAVE SYMPTOMS.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE KNOW OUR STATUS EARLY ON SO THAT WE DON'T INFECT OTHERS.

>> THEY SPECIALIZE IN THE SLEEP DEVELOP DEVELOPMENT OF TESTS LIKE THIS AND HAVE SUCCESSFUL EBOLA AND HIV TESTS ON THE MARKET.

THE THEY WILL BUILD THE CORONAVIRUS ON THE QUICK LATERAL FLOW PLATFORM USED AS AN HIVSELF TEST.

>> WE HAVE AN HIV TEST WHICH IS SOLD OVER-THE-COUNTER AND IT'S USED ACROSS THE WORLD AS A SEL F TEST IN PLACES LIKE AFRICA.

WE HAVE TAKEN THAT IN USING FDA CLEARED PRODUCT FOR EBOLA TO THEN DEVELOP THIS TEST FOR CORONAVIRUS BY WHICH WE HOPE TO PUT ON THE MARKET IN ABOUT FOUR TO SIX MONTHS.

>> FOUR TO SIX MONTHS MAY SOUND FAST BUT THEY WON THIS CONTRACT FROM HHS IN UNDER A WEEK AND THE PLAN IS TO MANUFACTURE THIS TEST RIGHT HERE IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY.

>> REMAINLY MANUFACTURE IN BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA, AND THAT IS OUR MAIN MANUFACTURING FOR THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT THAT WOULD GO INTO THIS.

WE EXPECT TO CONTINUE TO DO THIS.

WE BELIEVE WE WILL HAVE TO ADD STAFF AND MAKE MORIN VEST MAKE INVERTMENTS.

HE IS LOOKING TO ACCELERATE THE TIME FRAME.

IN ALLENTOWN.

PBS39 NEWS TONIGHT.

>>> THE LEHIGH GOVERNMENT >>> MAKE NO MISTAKE THE CORONAVIRUS HAS CHANGED THE WORLD AND FOR SOME IT IS A CHANCE TO WORK FROM HOME.

FOR OTHERS IT MEANS DAYS FILLED WITH NEW DANGERS.

OR AN IDEA OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE I SPOKE WITH NUSSLE LOCAL NURSING STUDENTS ABOUT HOW THEY ARE BUILDING THEIR CAREERS IN HEALTHCARE DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

>> I GOT INTO THIS BECAUSE, ONE I WANTED TO GIVE BACK, SORRY.

>> IT'S OKAY.

>> I WANTED TO HAVE A CAREER THAT MEANT SOMETHING.

>> RIGHT NOW HEALTHCARE IS IN HIGH DEMAND.

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IN PENNSYLVANIA ACCOUNT FOR NEARLY 5% OF ALL CASES OF INFECTION.

THE HELL SECRETARY SAID HEALTH SECRETARY SET AS UP TO THE 850 HEALTHCARE WORKERS HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE CORONAVIRUS, YET EVEN WITH A HIGH RATE OF INFECTION NURSING SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE READY TO JOIN THE FIGHT.

>> I AM NERVOUS BUT IT IS NOT THAT I AM SCARED, IT IS ALMOST LIKE THIS IS WHAT I SIGNED UP FOR BUT IT IS UNNERVING TO KNOW YOU ARE WALKING INTO A SITUATION WHERE EVERYONE IS POTENTIALLY SICK AND YOU'RE JUST WALKING INTO IT.

YOU DON'T FEEL GREAT ABOUT IT BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS.

>> I KIND OF HAVE THE OPINION WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF PEOPLE.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT JUST SAY OKAY, AND THEY JUST DEAL WITH IT AND YOU JUST MAKE IT WORK.

WE MIGHT NOT HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED AND WE MIGHT BE TIRED AND OVERWORKED BUT, YOU ARE REALLY JUST KEEP LOOKING AT THE ENDPOINT AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO CANNOT TAKE PRESSURE, HOPEFULLY THEY STAY HOME BECAUSE WE DON'T NEED THEM.

I THINK HEALTHCARE IS THE RULE GENERALLY WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE.

WE WILL GET THERE.

WE CAN'T SEE THAT MOMENT BUT IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> STUDENTS SAY THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES HAVE THE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS CAN SAFELY DO THEIR JOBS.

>> THE ONLY THING THAT WORRIES ME AS I DON'T WANT TO GET SICK OBVIOUSLY AND I'M DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO PROTECT MYSELF, WHEN I COME HOME I TAKE A SHOWER AND CHANGE MY CLOTHES.

BEFORE I EVEN GET OUT OF MY CAR TAKE OFF MY SHOES BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT IS ON YOU ARE NOT.

I STILL FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT, I JUST WANT TO KNOW THAT WHEN I GO TO WORK I HAVE WHAT I NEED TO FEEL SAFE.

THAT IS THE SCARIEST PART FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO GO TO WORK AS A SACRIFICIAL LAMB.

>> WHAT I HEAR IS WE ARE NOT JUST PEOPLE AND THEY REALLY HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF US.

WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER BUT THEY HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF US AND UNDERSTAND WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER, BUT WE MAY NEED A PLACE TO LAY DOWN.

HOSPITALS DON'T HAVE ROOMS WHERE YOU CAN GO TAKE A NAP AND LIVE THERE, YOU ARE NOT A PATIENT.

IF YOU ARE THERE 24 HOURS A DAY WHERE DO YOU SLEEP?

WHERE DO YOU SHOWER?

WHERE DO YOU EAT?

>> STUDENTS SAY THEY ARE SEEING A DIFFERENT BETWEEN WHAT IS IN THEIR TEXTBOOKS AND THE REALITY OF WORKING TO SAVE THE LIVES DURING A PANDEMIC.

>> IN THE LAST FOUR WEEKS A LOT HAS CHANGED, JUST IN WHAT USED TO BE NOT ACCEPTABLE IS NOW OKAY.

THAT PART IS A LITTLE UNNERVING.

AS FAR AS N95 MASKS , YOU THROW THEM OUT AFTER ONE USE NOW YOU KEEP THEM AND LET THEM AIR OUT.

SOME THINGS LIKE THAT ARE A LITTLE LIKE, OKAY THAT IS DIFFERENT.

>> THE WORLD HAS INDEED CHANGED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS BUT STUDENTS SAY THEY WANT TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION.

>> THE OPIOID CRISIS IS MAN- MADE, THAT IS WHAT MADE ME WANT TO BECOME A NURSE.

I LOST A CHILD TO THE EPIDEMIC.

>> I AM SORRY TO HEAR THAT.

>> IT IS OKAY, BUT AS A PARAMEDIC YES WE DO SAVE PEOPLE OFTEN FROM AN OVERDOSE BUT WE ARE NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM OR HELPING THEM.

WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO DO THAT.

THAT IS NOT EMS'S JOB, OUR JOB IS TO SAVE YOUR LIFE AND GET YOU TO A HOSPITAL.

IT IS THE NURSES AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, THAT GETS YOU THROUGH IT AND THAT IS THE KIND OF NURSE I WANT TO BE.

>> I HOPE THEY GET IT UNDER CONTROL, BUT I STAND HERE LIKE THESE NURSES EVERY DAY AND I SEE WHAT THEY DO.

YOU REALLY HAVE TO HAVE A HEART FOR IT TO KEEP GOING.

I SEE THE ONES CRYING FOR THEIR PATIENTS WHO DIED, EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT IN THE TRENCHES YET I AM STILL SIDE-BY-SIDE.

SOMEBODY HAS TO BE THERE FOR THEM.

THE MORE I GOT INTO NURSING THE MORE AND MORE I WANTED TO DO IT MORE.

AS HARD AS IT WAS, OR IS, I STILL FIND IT IS ONE OF THE BEST JOBS IN THE WORLD.

>> STUDENTS I INTERVIEWED ARE EXPECTED TO GRADUATE IN JUNE AND THEN THEY WILL TAKE AN EXAM IN HOPES OF BECOMING LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES.

>>> ALLENTOWN OFFICIALS SAY THE POLICE WERE CALLED HERE TO THE ROSE GARDEN PAVILIONS DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM CEDAR BEACH PARK BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE NOT FOLLOWING SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES AND THEY'VE HAD TO PUT UP CAUTION TAPE BEHIND ME BLOCKING OFF THE PAVILIONS TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE AND STOP LARGE GATHERINGS.

>> WE REALLY WANT TO KEEP THE PARKS THEMSELVES OPEN, THE TRAILS, AS WELL, SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE AN OUTLET TO GO OUTSIDE.

>> Reporter: ALLENTOWN PARKS AND REC DIRECTOR SAID THOUGH THEY WANT TO KEEP THE PARKS OPEN, THEY DON'T WANT TO ENCOURAGE LARGE GATHERINGS.

>> IT GOT TO A POINT IN ORDER TO HELP QUELL THE SPREAD COVID-19, WE UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT ALL THE OTHER AMENITIES IN THE PARKS, AND BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY UTILIZING THE PAVILIONS AS GATHERING PLACES WE HAD TO CLOSE THEM OFF.

>> Reporter: NOW ON TUESDAY, NEW JERSEY ORDERED ALLSTATE PARKS AND FORESTS TO BE CLOSED BECAUSE COVID-19 AND NORTHAMPTON COUNTY ALSO ANNOUNCED THEY ARE CLOSING ALL COUNTY PARKS, AS WELL, HOWEVER THE HEALTH SECRETARY DR.

RACHEL LEVINE SAID THE STATE IS NOT TAKING THOSE MEASURES FOR ITS 121 STATE PARKS.

>> I'M NOT AWARE THE GOVERNOR HAS ANY PLANS TO CLOSE PARKS LIKE THAT BUT WE ARE REALLY RELYING UPON PEOPLE IN PENNSYLVANIA TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

THE RIGHT THING IS TO STAY HOME, OR IF YOU'RE GOING TO GO OUT, TO BE ACTIVE, IN DO THAT IN A SOLITARY WAY AND WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND PEOPLE DO NOT GO OUT AND SOCIALIZE TOGETHER EVEN THOUGH IT MIGHT BE NICE WEATHER AND THAT IN A PARK, BECAUSE THAT COULD SPREAD THIS VERY DANGEROUS VIRUS, AND SO PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING, STAY HOME, AND PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

>> WE DO HAVE SIGNS AT THE PAVILIONS ALSO AT THE PARKS THEMSELVES.

WE'RE REALLY HOPING THAT PUBLIC FOLLOWS THE GUIDELINES.

>> Reporter: ALLENTOWN PARKS AND REC HAS ALREADY TAKEN STEPS TO ENCOURAGE SOCIAL DISTANCING IN KIDS BY PUTTING CAUTION TAPE ON THE PLAYGROUNDS.

>> THEY'VE BEEN CAUTION TAPED OFF FOR AT LEAST A WEEK AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GOOD.

THEY'VE NOT HAD THE KIDS UTILIZING THE PLAYGROUNDS SO THAT HAS WORK PERIOD, WE'RE HOPING THE SAME OCCURS NOW WITH CORDENING OFF PAVILIONS.

>> PEOPLE WERE STILL USING THE BASKETBALL COURTS.

>> THE PUBLIC CALLED THE ALLENTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND NOTIFIED THEM OF PEOPLE CONGREGATING ON THE COURTS AND PLAYING, SO WHAT OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT DID, THEY WENT AROUND AND WHERE POSSIBLE THEY LOCKED DOWN THE RIMS OF THE BASKETBALL NETS, ET CETERA, AND WHERE THEY COULD NOT LOCKDOWN THE RIMS THEY TOOK THE RINGS OFF.

>> Reporter: ASIDE FROM THOSE MEASURES, SHE SAID SHE UNDERSTANDS JUST HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO GET OUTSIDE DURING THIS CRISIS.

>> AT LEAST TO GO EXERCISE, IT'S GOOD FOR THE PSYCHOLOGY, AS WELL, SO PEOPLE JUST WANT TO GET OUT, ESPECIALLY NOW WHEN WE'RE HAVING NICE WEATHER.

>> Reporter: NOW IN ADDITION TO HAVING TO BLOCK OFF THE PAVILIONS, SHE SAID THEY'VE HAD TO BRING BACK MORE MAINTENANCE WORKERS BECAUSE WITH SO MANY PEOPLE OUT ON THE TRAILS, THERE IS ALSO MORE LITTER, AS WELL, AND JUST AS A QUICK NOTE FOR SAFETY, SHE ALSO MENTIONED AGAIN WITH SO MANY PEOPLE BEING OUT ON THE TRAILS, IF YOU ARE OUT RIDING BIKES, JUST BE MINDFUL AND BE CAREFUL OF THE PEDESTRIAN WALKING TO KEEP EVERYONE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE AND OF COURSE CONTINUE PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING.

FOR NOW IN ALLENTOWN, STACEY INEZ, PBS 39, >>> THERE ARE 76 CONFIRMED CASES OF CORONAVIRUS IN CARBON COUNTY ACCORDING TO THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

THAT'S A LOT FEWER CASES THAN ALL FIVE SURROUNDING COUNTIES, AND THE COMMISSIONERS LAUNCHED A PUBLIC SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO FURTHER ENSOURCE THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER.

>> THIS IS ABOUT SCARING PEOPLE STRAIGHT AND UNDERSTANDING THERE TRULY ARE DIRE CONSEQUENCES MOST NOTABLY TO THOSE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS SUCH AS THE SENIOR CITIZENS.

>> I DO WANT TO THANK THE PEOPLE OF CARBON COUNTY.

RESIDENTS TRULY ARE COOPERATING.

>> Reporter: RURAL AREAS ARE AT AN ADVANTAGE BECAUSE THEY PROVIDE FEWER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE VIRUS TO SPREAD, BUT THESE COMMUNITIES GENERALLY HAVE FEWER RESOURCES AND CARBON COUNTY ONLY HAS ONE HOSPITAL.

ST.

LUKE'S LEADERS SAY THEY ARE WELL EQUIPPED FOR A SURGE IN PATIENTS.

>> WE'VE BEEN PLANNING OUR SURGE CAPACITY FOR A WHILE NOW AND I THINK WE'RE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.

WE'VE GOT EXPANDED CAPACITY FOR CRITICAL CARE.

>> Reporter: ST.

LUKE'S CARBON PRESIDENT SAID UP TO EIGHT PATIENTS CAN BE TREATED AT THE HE HIGH CAMPUS.

AND THE NUMBER OF ICU BEDS HAS BEEN INCREASED FROM SIX TO NINE.

>> I THINK RIGHT NOW WE'RE STAFFED APPROPRIATELY.

WE KNOW THE SKILL SETS THAT ARE NEEDED WERE HIGHLY LEVERAGING VIDEO CAPABILITIES SO THAT WE CAN -- WE CAN GET ANYONE'S OPINION AND BRING ANYONE IN TO A SITUATION THAT WE HAVE.

>> Reporter: VICE PRESIDENT OF MEDICAL AFFAIRS DR.

WILLIAM MARKSON SAYS IT'S POSSIBLE THAT REALLY ILL PATIENTS COULD BE TRANSFERRED ELSEWHERE.

>> NOW IF WE REALLY GOT SOMEONE WHO WAS CRITICALLY ILL, THERE WAS CAPACITY IN BETHLEHEM, AND ANDERSON, ON OUR ANDERSON CAMPUSES WHERE MORE OF THE CRITICAL CARE RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE SHOULD SOMEONE BE VERY ILL, AT THIS POINT, WE WOULD STILL PLAN ON TRANSFERRING THEM OUT OF THE HOSPITAL TO WHERE THEY CAN GET MORE ADVANCED AMBULATORY CARE.

>> Reporter: ST.

LUKE'S HAS IDENTIFIED POSSIBLE LOCATIONS FOR EXPANDING CARE BUT THEY DON'T BELIEVE THAT WILL BE NECESSARY BASED ON THE PROJECTIONS.

THE NETWORK IS ALSO COMMUNICATING EACH FACILITY'S NEEDS FOR STAFF AND RESOURCES SUCH AS PERSONNEL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

>> EVERY DAY, EVERY HOSPITAL IN THE ST.

LUKE'S NETWORK DOES AN ASSESSMENT OF INVENTORY, OF SUPPLIES, AND NEEDS, AND THEN THAT IS -- YOU KNOW, THAT IS COMMUNICATED TO A NETWORK CONTROL CENTER AND THE CONTROL CENTER IS ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE AND IF NECESSARY, REASSIGN, REALLOCATE SUPPLIES TO THE GREATEST NEED WITHIN THE NETWORK.

>> POLICE SAY THEY HAVE ALSO IMPLEMENTED SOMETHING CALLED ULTRAVIOLET RADIOSTERALIZATION SO THEY CAN SAFELY BE USED ABOUT A HALF DOZEN TIMES.

WHILE THE CAMPUS LEADERS FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE DATA AND THEIR PREPAREDNESS, AT THIS POINT, THEY ARE STILL BRACING THEMSELVES FOR A SURGE.

>> WE ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE RURAL.

WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT LESS COMMUTING TO NEW YORK CITY AND HAVE A LITTLE BIT LESS MULTIGENERATIONAL DENSE HOUSING, SO THOSE THINGS ARE IN OUR FAVOR AND SO FAR WE'VE ESCAPED THE WORST OF IT.

WE ARE PRAYING THAT THAT'LL CONTINUE AND ALL OF THESE SURGE PLANS WILL BE COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE OUR FOOT OFF THE PEDAL RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: IN LEHIGH, CARBON >>> THESE ARE HARD TIMES.

THEY ARE UNCHARTED.

WE ARE ALL MAKING THIS UP AS WE GO ALONG.

WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

>> GROCERY STORES ARE OPEN, RESTAURANTS ARE STILL DOING TAKE-OUT AND SOME FOOD DELIVERY SERVICES ARE EATING WAITING THEIR FEES BUT THERE ARE STILL PLENTY OF PEOPLE LOOKING FOR THEIR NEXT MEAL, IN 2019 A REPORT OF FOOD INSECURITY BY THE USDA SHOWED MORE THAN 37 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES STRUGGLE WITH HUNGER, AND THAT WAS BEFORE THE COVID- 19 PANDEMIC.

>> WE WERE SERVING MAYBE ABOUT 60-80 PEOPLE PER DAY, AS OF RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN BETWEEN 80- 100 PEOPLE PER DAY.

>> NEW BETHANY MINISTRIES IN BETHLEHEM IS TAKING EXTRA PRECAUTIONS WITH THE VIRUS.

THEY ARE BRINGING BAGS OF FOOD OUT TWO CARS AND MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS DISINFECTED, AND SO FAR THEY SAY IT IS GOING WELL.

>> LUCKILY ALL OF OUR CLIENTS HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH US.

OUR NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH US SO IT HAS BEEN SMOOTH.

IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE SMOOTHER THAN WE EXPECTED IT TO BE AS FAR AS THE CHANGES WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED.

>> ALTHOUGH FOOD PICKUPS ARE GOING SMOOTHLY THE PANDEMIC HAS PRESENTED ITS CHALLENGES.

>> WE ARE USED TO OPERATING FIRST AND FOREMOST WITH ALL OF OUR STAFF, IN ADDITION TO APPROXIMATELY 7-10 VOLUNTEERS PER DAY.

AT THIS TIME WE DO WANT TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH FOR EVERYBODY SO WE ARE NOW AT ABOUT TWO OR FOUR VOLUNTEERS.

>> THEY ARE STILL MAKING SURE THE KIDS WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO EASTER MORNING.

>> THE CHILDREN LOOK FORWARD TO EASTER.

EVERY YEAR WE HAVE THE EASTER EGG HUNT SO THAT WAS UNABLE TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR.

WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE SOME NORMALCY.

WE DID BASKETS AND WE ALSO GAVE THEM EASTER EGG DYING KIDS SO EVERY FAMILY WAS ABLE TO GET ONE SO THEY COULD DO IT WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

>> NOT ALL FOOD PANTRIES WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

WE SPOKE WITH AND THEY STOPPED ALL IN PERSON SERVICES INCLUDING THE FOOD PANTRY.

>> WE USUALLY GIVE OUT ON THE THIRD WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH, BUT DUE TO THE VIRUS SITUATION WE HAD TO CANCEL THAT.

MOST OF MY DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS ARE AGE 62, ALL THE WAY UP TO AGE 79 AND SOME OF THEM HAVE HEALTH CONCERNS AND IF NOT THEMSELVES THE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT LIVE AT HOME WITH THEM.

>> CLEMSON SAYS PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH BEATS ROUGHLY 150 FAMILIES PER MONTH AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO ANYMORE, BUT THEY FOUND SOMEONE ELSE WHO CAN.

>> THE SALVATION ARMY HAS PICKED UP THE LOAD AND WE KIND OF JOINED THEM IN THE FACT THAT WE HAD SOME FOOD THAT WE HAD EXTRA THAT WAS CASED ITEMS.

WHAT WE DID WAS ANYTHING THAT WAS IN A CASE THAT THEY WOULDN'T HE SALVATION ARMY WOULDN'T HAVE TO TAKE THE TIME TO WIPE DOWN WE DONATED THAT TO THE SALVATION ARMY.

>> LIKE EVERYONE ELSE THE SALVATION ARMY'S JOB IS LIMITED BY THE VIRUS.

>> THE SALVATION ARMY HAS ALWAYS BEEN A HANDS-ON KIND OF MINISTRY AND NOT ANY LONGER.

>> EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY JOHN SAYS THEY SEE 40-50 CLIENTS COME IN FOR FOOD AND THAT IS NOT COUNTING THOSE CLIENTS FAMILY MEMBERS.

ALL ORDERS ARE PREPACKED, THERE ARE NO PAPERS TO SIGN AND VERY LITTLE IF ANY CONTACT.

HE SAYS THE EXTRA WORK NOT ONLY TAKES A PHYSICAL TOLL.

>> IT IS HARD.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE GET EMOTIONAL, A WOMAN GOT EMOTIONAL WHEN SHE SAW THERE WERE ORANGES IN THE FOOD BANK.

SHE SAID OH MY GOODNESS ORANGES!

I HAVEN'T HAD AN ORANGE IN OVER A YEAR.

>> ALTHOUGH THERE ARE INCOME QUALIFICATIONS HE SAYS ANYONE IN NEED IS WELCOME.

>> I JUST PULLED UP AND I COULD USE A BAG OF DRY GOODS IN MY MASERATI, NO.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF OUR CONGREGATION, YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO BE A CHRISTIAN, YOU ARE A HUMAN BEING AND OUR MISSION IS TO MEET HUMAN NEEDS WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION PERIOD.

>> IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DONATING FOOD OR CLEANING SUPPLIES YOU CAN CONTACT ME BETHANY MINISTRY AT NEW BETHANY MINISTRIES.ORG OR THE SALVATION ARMY BIKE BY CALLING THEM.

>>> RIGHT NOW IT IS HARD TO >>> GOV.

TOM WOLF ANNOUNCED TODAY ALL SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE STATE WILL BE CLOSED THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC .

THIS COMES AFTER SEVERAL TWO WEEK CLOSURES AND NOW STUDENTS AND PARENTS WILL BE FORCED TO DO ALL OF THEIR CLASSROOM LEARNING ONLINE.

>> WE ALL KNOW PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOLS ARE ABOUT MORE THAN ACADEMICS.

THEY ARE SOURCES OF HOPE, INSPIRATION, STABILITY, INCLUSION.

PENNSYLVANIANS HAVE STEPPED UP IN RESPONSE TO THIS UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION.

>> GOV.

TOM WOLF SAID THIS IS A CRITICAL STEP TO PROTECT AS MANY AS POSSIBLE AND THE DECISION WAS NOT EASY.

>> EVEN THOUGH SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED MANY OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS SCHOOLS PROVIDE WILL CONTINUE.

TEACHING AND LEARNING WILL CONTINUE.

FREE MEALS FOR KIDS WILL CONTINUE.

>> LOCALLY SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE VALLEY ARE WORKING TO HELP STUDENTS ADJUST TO LEARNING FROM HOME THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

>> I THINK THERE WILL BE A SENSE OF LOSS BECAUSE SCHOOL IS WHERE YOUR FRIENDS ARE WHEN YOU'RE A STUDENT.

IT IS WHERE YOUR ACTIVITIES, YOUR SPORTS, YOUR MUSIC IN ADDITION TO YOUR LEARNING AND TEACHERS YOU HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH.

IT IS A SENSE OF LOSS I THINK WE REALLY HAVE TO THINK ABOUT FOR KIDS AND TALK TO PARENTS ABOUT AND TALK TO TEACHERS ABOUT.

>> THIS DOCTOR SAID IT IS TOO EARLY TO TELL WHETHER OR NOT A JUNE GRADUATION WILL BE CANCELED THEY ARE NOT RULING THAT OUT YET BUT IN THE MEANTIME THEY ARE WORKING ON MAKING SURE ALL STUDENTS CAN STILL GET A FINAL GRADE FOR THEIR WORK.

>> TEACHERS REALLY CAN'T GRADE TO THE LEVEL OF SPECIFICITY THAT THEY WOULD TO DETERMINE AND A VERSUS A BE.

MOST OF OUR COURSES ARE SEMESTER COURSES COMPLEX SCHEDULED COURSES WHICH MEANS THE FINAL GRADE FOR THIS SEMESTER WILL BE PASS FAIL AS WELL.

WE THINK THAT IS REALLY THE ONLY OPTION WE HAVE, ALTHOUGH IT DOES HAVE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS.

>> THE ALLENTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT SAID THEY ARE GEARING UP TO LAUNCH THEIR FULL ONLINE PROGRAM APRIL 20.

THE SUPERINTENDENT ADDRESSED THAT IN A VIRTUAL TOWN HALL.

>> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF MAIN ISSUES WITH THAT, ONE BEING DEVICES AND HAVING ENOUGH DEVICES FOR STUDENTS.

THERE IS A TECHNOLOGY SURVEY THAT IS LIVE ON OUR WEBSITE ON SOCIAL MEDIA RIGHT NOW AND WE ARE ASKING ALL OF OUR STUDENTS AND PARENTS TO TAKE THAT SURVEY SO WE WILL KNOW HOW MANY DEVICES STUDENTS NEED BY SCHOOL AS WELL WE WILL UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES WITH THE ACTIVITY WHICH IS OUR NUMBER TWO.

>> DOCTOR ROY SAYS THERE ARE KIDS IN THE DISTRICT THAT HAVE STABLE HOME LIVES AND THEIR PARENTS ARE ABLE TO BE HOME WITH THEM TO HELP.

>> FOR THE KIDS THAT DON'T HAVE THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES AT LEAST úW THEY HAVE THE DIRECT CONTACT WITH THEIR TEACHERS AND ALL OF THE SUPPORTS WE PROVIDE IN SCHOOL TO HELP OVERCOME SOME OF THOSE INEQUITIES.

NOW WE DON'T HAVE THAT.

>> DISTRICT OFFICIALS SAY THE CHALLENGE NEXT YEAR WILL BE HOW TO MODIFY THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM TO MAKE UP FOR ALL OF THE LEARNING LOST BEING OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM.

>>> MAKE NO MISTAKE THE >>> RIGHT NOW IT IS HARD TO TELL WHICH BUSINESSES ARE OPEN AND WHICH ONES ARE CLOSE.

>> WHAT HEATING OIL PLACES ARE CURRENTLY SERVING?

THIS IS WHAT HAS REGISTERED SO FAR.

>> YOU CAN SEARCH FOR ANY SERVICE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR ON THE COUNTY OPERATIONAL BUSINESS MAP.

>> WE HAVE ALL OF THE LINKS TO THE CDC, ALL OF THE LINKS TO THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

>> IT IS PART OF THE CORONAVIRUS HUB CREATED BY JASON, THE DIRECTOR OF GIS AND MAPPING.

>> IT WAS CREATED FOR THE IDEA THAT THERE IS SO MUCH INFORMATION AND INFORMATION SATURATION RIGHT NOW AND A LOT OF MISINFORMATION, OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.

WE BASICALLY WANT TO PUT SOMETHING OUT THAT HAD LOTS OF AUTHORITATIVE SOURCES, THE KEY AUTHORITATIVE SOURCES, IN OUR MIND THAT IS THE CDC, PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, MAPPING THAT WE WERE TAKING FROM JOHNS HOPKINS, MAPPING HUB AND OF COURSE OUR MAPPING HUB TOO.

>> THE WEBSITE HAS ALL COVID-19 RESOURCES AND DATA IN ONE PLACE.

HERE YOU CAN FIND THE LATEST NUMBER OF CASES WORLDWIDE AND WHO IS OFFERING DELIVERY IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> ANY BUSINESS THAT IS OPEN BUT HAS MAYBE CONSTRAINED HOURS OR SPECIFIC NEEDS THAT THEY WANT YOU TO COMPLY WITH, THEY CAN PUT THAT IN THERE AND EDIT IT OR ADD IT.

>> BUSINESSES HAVE TO REGISTER TO PUT THEMSELVES ON THE MAP.

HE SAID IT TAKES ABOUT FIVE MINUTES.

>> I THINK WE HAD ABOUT 80 REGISTER THE FIRST DAY, SO WE ARE SEEING REALLY GOOD NUMBERS.

>> MORE THAN 100 BUSINESSES ARE ON THE MAP SINCE IT LAUNCHED ABOUT A WEEK AGO.

>> WHEN THIS ALL STARTED, YOU KNOW THE GOVERNOR ORDERED THE SHUTDOWNS ACROSS THE STATE, WE DID HEAR THERE WAS A LOT OF DIFFICULTY COMMUNICATING.

>> ALICE FROM THE CHAMBER SAYS THEY ARE WORKING WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES TO CONNECT THEM TO RESOURCES LIKE THIS .

>> PEOPLE ON THAT MAP ARE CHAMBER MEMBERS BUT THERE ARE ALSO PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T JOINED YET ON THAT MAP.

WE SAY AT THIS TIME EVERYONE IS A MEMBER BECAUSE WE REALLY WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WE ARE SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY, WHETHER YOU ARE A BUSINESS OR NONPROFIT, WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

>> THE OPERATIONAL BUSINESS MAP HAS BEEN A HIT ON BOTH ENDS GETTING OVER 400 HITS IN ONE DAY.

TO VISIT THE COUNTY'S RESPONSE HUB OR TO REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS THE LINK IS WITH THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE PBS39.ORG .

>>> I AM BUILDING MY AIRPLANE AS I AM FLYING IT.

>> PATRICK USED TO TEACH ADVERTISING DESIGN AND COMMERCIAL ART, A TYPE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN AT LEHIGH CAREER AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.

NOW HE TEACHES IT AT HOME, AND HE WILL BE THE REST OF THE YEAR.

SCAT >> SCHOOLS WILL REMAIN CLOSED THE REST OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR, BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN LEARNING IS STOPPING.

>> GOV.

TOM WOLF MADE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY , FOR SCHOOL THAT FOCUS ON HANDS-ON LEARNING HAVE TO ADAPT TO NOW BEING AN ONLINE SCHOOL.

TEACHERS ARE HOME DOING VIDEOS LIKE THIS.

>> HEY KIDS MR.

BAILEY HERE.

IT IS SO GOOD TO SEE YOUR FACES AGAIN, I CAN'T REALLY SEE YOUR FACES.

>> AND GETTING HELP FROM A NEW TEACHING ASSISTANT.

>> MY DOG IS BARKING.

>> THE FAMILY DOG.

>> THAT IS MY DRAWLING BUDDY MOLLY.

I WAS WATCHING THAT VIDEO AND I SAID OH MY GOSH I MESSED IT UP.

MY PICTURE IN PICTURE IS SHOWING ME.

I THOUGHT THAT IS REALLY MY PERSONALITY AND THAT IS WHAT THE STUDENTS ARE USED TO, SO I FIGURE LET'S JUST PUT IT ALL OUT THERE AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL DRAW UP SOME COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THEM.

THEN I WILL GET MORE TRAFFIC, I AM TRYING TO ENTICE THEM INTO WATCHING IT.

>> THIS ISN'T ALL NEW, THEY EMBRACED A TYPE OF REMOTE LEARNING PLATFORM BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT, AND HE HAS BEEN USING IT ALL YEAR.

>> I AM PRETTY FORTUNATE BECAUSE I WAS CHOSEN A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO TO BECOME A PILOT FOR OUR LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CALLED SCHOOL OJI.

THIS YEAR WE ROLLED IT OUT TO NINE TEACHERS AND I WAS ONE OF THEM AND I KIND OF RAN MY CLASSROOM THIS YEAR AS AN ONLINE CLASS WITH ME IN THE ROOM.

>> FOR STUDENTS IN FIELDS LIKE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING THAT REQUIRES THEM TO LEARN A MACHINE, VIRTUAL MACHINES ARE THE NEW NORM.

>> SOME KIND OF ELECTRONICS WHERE THERE IS HANDHELD PARTS THEY HAVE TO PUT TOGETHER AND DO MEASUREMENTS.

THEY CAN NOW BUILD IT ON THE SCREEN WITH A VIRTUAL TRAINER.

IT IS SIMILAR, I CAN'T SAY IT IS JUST LIKE HAVING ME THERE BUT IT IS VERY SIMILAR.

THEY HAVE TO PICK THE PROPER COMPONENTS, PUT IT TOGETHER, AND KIND OF BUILD THE CIRCUIT AND DO EXPERIMENTS VIRTUALLY.

>> BECAUSE THE STUDENTS ARE CONTINUING TO LEARN, THOSE CERTIFICATIONS IS WHAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO WORK PROFESSIONALLY IN THE FIELD AFTER GRADUATION, THIS WON'T BE INTERRUPTED.

>> THE EQUIVALENT WE WOULD USE IN THE LAB IS THE SAME AS WHAT WOULD BE PUT IN THAT THEY WOULD SEE ONLINE.

THEY CAN STILL LEARN AND THEY CANCEL ADVANCE THROUGH THE CURRICULUM AND IT WILL NOT HOLD THEM BACK TO EARNING ANY KIND OF THE CERTIFICATIONS WE OFFERED TO THEM.

>> DESPITE THE PANDEMIC SCHOOL IS STILL IN SESSION, ONLY THE TEACHER CAN REALLY HAVE A PET >>> NOW MORE THAN EVER IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE PREPARED.

I CHECKED IN WITH A PROFESSIONAL PLANNER.

>> PEOPLE ARE CALLING THE NEW NORMAL REQUIRES FAMILIES TO ADAPT IN WAYS THEY HAVEN'T DONE IN ANY OTHER EMERGENCY, AT LEAST IN MY CAREER THAT I HAVE HEARD OF BEFORE.

NOT ONLY ABOUT HANDLING THE NEXT WEEK BUT THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.

>> AS THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC CONTINUES TO UNFOLD DISASTER PLANNERS SAY IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO IMPROVE OR START YOUR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN.

>> IF SOMEONE IS THINKING MAYBE THEY WEREN'T AS PREPARED AS THEY WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE BEEN FOR THIS CRISIS, HOW CAN THEY AMEND THAT AND BE READY FOR NEXT TIME >> I WOULD SAY IT'S NOT TOO LATE.

YOU STILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO STAY AHEAD OF IT BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS PANDEMIC THAN WE HAVE SEEN 234 OTHER ONES SUCH AS SARS AND SWINE FLU IS THINGS ARE CHANGING ON A DAILY BASIS.

THINGS ARE CHANGING SO FAST THAT WRITTEN DISASTER PLANS CAN'T KEEP UP.

>> PATRICK HARDY IS THE CREATOR OF THE DISASTER HAWK APP.

THEY ARE OFFERING FREE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLANS.

HE IS A CERTIFIED EMERGENCY MANAGER AND FORMER FIRST RESPONDER WHO HAS WORKED WITH FMA TO DEVELOP DALLAS INTEREST PLANS.

>> IT LETS YOU CREATE A PLAN FOR YOUR FAMILIES, YOUR SMALL BUSINESSES, EVERYTHING AND INSTEAD OF IT TAKING THREE HOURS, IT TAKES YOU THREE MINUTES.

SO, IT GUIDES YOU STEP BY STEP IN EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT TO CREATE A PLAN.

EVERYTHING FROM HOW TO QUARANTINE, HOW TO SELF ISOLATE, HOW TO CREATE A CLEAN ROOM.

A KEY ELEMENT ON HIS CHECKLIST IS ESTABLISHING A CLEAN ROOM.

>> A CLEAN ROOM IS A PLACE WHERE SOMEONE WHO IS EITHER AT RISK TO CORONAVIRUS OR SOMEONE WHO IS SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN INFECTED IS PLACED IN -- LIKE A QUARANTINE WITH IN A QUARANTINE.

ONCE YOU PUT THEM IN THE ROOM YOU SHOULD PLACE A TABLE, A SMALL TABLE JUST OUTSIDE THE ROOM AND THAT TABLE IS WHERE ITEM EXCHANGE WILL HAPPEN.

>> HE SAID PEOPLE SHOULDN'T LET THEIR GUARD DOWN WHEN BRINGING PACKAGESN.

>> YOU SHOULD HAVE A SMALL TABLE WHERE YOU BRING IN DELIVERIES.

AMAZON BOXES, BOXES THAT COME FROM TAKE OUT, EVERYTHING NEEDS TO GO PAST THIS TABLE.

THIS TABLE HAS TO HAVE ON IT Q TIPS, GLOVES, COTTON BALLS, WIPES, EVERYTHING.

THINK OF YOURSELF LIKE YOUR OWN PERSONAL TSA.

>> RANDY, THE DIRECTOR OF THE PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY OR PEMA SAID THAT DEVELOPING A DISASTER PLAN BEGINS WITH SMALL STEPS.

>> THE RECOMMENDATIONS WE GIVE PEOPLE IS THAT START SMALL.

THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD NEED.

IN THIS SITUATION WITH CORONAVIRUS MAKING A SMALL KIT SO YOU HAVE HAND SANITIZER, YOU HAVE WIPES, YOU ARE SANITIZING YOUR FREQUENTLY TOUCHED SURFACES LIKE YOUR CELL PHONE.

>> A KEY PART TO IT IS HAVING A FIRST AID KIT.

MAKE SURE ITS LIGHT WEIGHT AND CLEARLY LABELED.

PEMA RECOMMENDS HAVING AT LEAST A THREE DAY SUPPLY OF FOOD AND WATER.

THE FOOD SHOULD BE NONPERISHABLE LIKE CANNED SOUPS OR VEGETABLES.

AS FOR WATER YOU WILL WANT TO HAVE ONE GALLON PER PERSON FOR EACH OF THE THREE DAYS.

SOME OTHER ELEMENTS YOU SHOULD HAVE ON HAND ARE A LIST OF EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS, MEDICINE, FLASHLIGHTS, BATTERIES AND A BATTERY POWERED RADIO.

>> KEYS TO THIS ARE REALLY STAY AT HOME UNLESS YOU HAVE A REASON TO GO OUT.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TIPS ON PBS 39.

ORG.

REPORTING IN PHILADELPHIA, I'M MEGHAN FRANK PBS39 NEWS TONIGHT.

>>> REMINDERS OF THE HEALTH >>> REMINDERS OF THE HEALTH THREAT CAN BE FOUND EVERYWHERE TRIGGERS ANXIETY IN EVEN THE MOST EVEN MINDED PERSON SO WE HAVE A FEW SIMPLE WAYS TO RESET YOUR MIND.

>> IT'S A LIT -- INSTEAD OF ALWAYS DISTRACTING YOURSELF, SOMETIME IT'S ABOUT ACTUALLY BEING WITH WHAT IS HERE BUT IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

>> LAURA SAID TRY NOT TO REACT TO THE SITUATION BY TELLING YOURSELF THAT YOU ARE STRESSED OR WORRIED OR LEANING ON BAD HABITS LIKE EATING OR DRINKING TOO MUCH.

INSTEAD ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR FEELINGS.

>> IT CAN BE HELPFUL TO JUST SLOW DOWN A LITTLE AND SAY, YEAH, FEAR IS HERE, OF COURSE IT IS.

HOW COULD IT NOT BE THEN MAYBE JUST BRING OUR ATTENTION BACK TO THIS MOMENT.

RIGHT HERE.

RIGHT NOW.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, WE ARE ALL WASHING OUR HANDS A LOT MORE THAN USUAL I THINK.

WHEN WE ARE WASHING OUR HANDS REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO THE PHYSICAL CONTACT OF OUR HANDS AGAINST EACH OTHER AND HOW THE WATER FEELS, AND THE MOVEMENT OF OUR HANDS AND WHEN WE NOTICE THAT OUR MINDS HAVE GONE BACK TO THE FEAR AND THE ANXIETY, JUST NOTICING IT LIKE IT'S HERE AND THEN COMING BACK TO THIS MOMENT.

>> THE MINDFULNESS TEACHER ALSO HAS SOME BREATHING TECHNIQUES TO HELP CALM YOUR MIND AND BODY.

>> TAKE ONE HAND AND JUST PLACE IT ON YOUR STOMACH OR HURT.

WHERE YOU FEEL THE BODY ACTUALLY MOVING A LITTLE BIT WITH THE BREATH, SO THAT INSTEAD OF THINKING ABOUT THE BREATH OR THINKING YOU SHOULD BE DOING IT DIFFERENTLY OR I SHOULD BE BREATHING MORE DEEPLY, A DEEP BREATH CAN HELP TOO BUT JUST REALLY FEELING THE PHYSICAL MOVEMENT OF THE BODY WITH THE BREATH.

BECAUSE IT CAN ACTUALLY FEEL LIKE OCEAN WAVES.

YOU START TO REALLY FEEL THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BODY WITH THE BREATH, CAN HAVE A REALLY CALMING EFFECT.

>> SHE SAID IF YOUR MIND STARTS TO WANDER YOU AREN'T DOING IT INCORRECTLY.

>> THAT'S JUST PART OF WHAT THIS IS.

YOU NOTICE AND THEN YOU COME BACK AGAIN TO JUST FEELING THAT RISE AND FALL.

>> ANOTHER WAY IS TO DISCONNECT FROM DEVICES.

>> I SAID THIS TO MY MOTHER ON THE PHONE.

SHE SAID I OPEN MY I-PAD AND SEE A HEADLINE AND I CAN'T RESIST CLICKING ON IT.

I HAVE BEEN THERE.

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE.

WE JUST HAVE TO BE A LITTLE FIRM WITH OURSELVES HERE AND SAY I AM GOING TO RESIST.

I'M NOT GOING TO CLICK ON ALL THE HEADLINES.

YOU KNOW I WILL LOOK ONCE A DAY SO THAT I KNOW THE INFORMATION I NEED TO KNOW TO BE ABLE TO MAKE GOOD HEALTHY CHOICES FOR MYSELF.

>> AS THE WEEKS OF SOCIAL ISOLATING CONTINUE, SHE SAID CHANGING THE WAY YOU THINK CAN KEEP YOUR MIND HEALTHY AND PERHAPS HAPPY AT HOME.

>> REFRAMING WHAT WE ARE DOING IN OUR HEADS A LITTLE BIT TO REMEMBER WHY WE ARE DOING THIS, IT'S FOR THE SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF OURSELVES, OUR LOVED ONES, EVERYBODY, PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT THERE WHO ARE MAYBE MORE AT RISK THAN OURSELVES.

SO REMEMBERING THE REASON AND TO REMEMBERING THAT SOCIAL DISTANCING, WE ARE PROTECTING OR SOCIAL CARING DOSN'T MEAN THAT WE ARE REALLY DISCONNECTED.

>> SHE SUGGESTS STAYING CONNECTED TO CALM YOUR FEAR, ADDING A PHONE CALL CAN REASSURE THE PERSON ARE YOU REACHING OUT AND HELP YOUR OWN ANXIETY.

FOR PBS39 NEWS TONIGHT I'M BRITTANY SWEENEY.

>>> ON AN AVERAGE DAY THIS YMCA WOULD SEE HUNDREDS OF VISITORS.

>> SO SAD.

THOUSAND VISITS A DAY.

>> NOW DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS IT SITS QUIET.

THE WATER IN THE POOL IS STILL WITH NOBODY HERE TO MAKE A SPLASH AND THE GYM IS SILENT WITHOUT THE ECHO OF BASKETBALLS HITTING HARD WOOD.

EVEN IN THIS TIME OF SHUT DOWN THE YMCA IS STAYING BUSY SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE OPERATION COMPASSION FUNDING PROGRAM.

BEING HERE FOR YOU IS JUST SO IMPORTANT.

EVEN LOOKING AT THE WALL YOU HAVE A WHY, WE HAVE A WAY.

THERE IS SO MUCH WHY OUT THERE.

OPERATION COMPASSION IS MEANT TO FILL THE NEED OR Y.

>> THROUGH OPERATION COMPASSION THE YMCA HOPES TO SHARE FOOD AND FUNDS TO THOSE IN NEED, OFFER A PLACE TO SHOWER AND PROVIDE CARE TO HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

>> THE Y IS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF CHILD KARA CROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO, FOR US BEING ABLE TO OPEN OUR DOORS RIGHT HERE THIS MORNING TO ESSENTIAL WORKERS ACROSS BUCKS, HELPS US FILL THAT MISSION.

>> THOSE WHO ARE HOMELESS ARE ABLE TO BATHE AT YMCA FACILITIES TWICE A WEEK AND IT'S SANITIZED AFTERWARDS.

OPERATION COMPASSION IS MULTIFACETED.

WHILE IT HELPS RAISE FUNDS FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY JOB LOSS IT PROVIDES OUTREACH TO AT RISK MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, HELPS THEM HOST BLOOD DRIVES AND SUPPORTS STAFF WHO MAY NEED INCOME SUPPORT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE HAVE STAFF RIGHT NOW WHO ARE VOLUNTEERING BECAUSE THEY ARE SO CONNECTED TO THEIR MEMBERS OR THEIR PARTICIPANT THAT THEY HAVE ASKED IN TIMES OF CLOSURE CAN I JUST VOLUNTEER MY TIME TO MAKE THE CONNECTIONS AND WE HAVE STAFF THAT ARE READY FOR THAT PHONE CALL.

WE DON'T FOE WHAT THE NEXT NEED WILL BE.

IT COULD BE VIRTUAL LEARNING, DELIVERING MEALS AND WE HAVE STAFF STANDING BY SAYING I'M READY WHEN YOU MAKE THAT CALL.

>> THE BUCKS COUNTY YMCA RECEIVED PERMISSION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO PROVIDE CHILD CARE TO MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AT A RATE OF $30 OR LESS FOR A FULL DAY AND STAFF ARE PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING BY LIMITING THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN EACH INSTRUCTOR ATTENDS TOO.

>> IT'S HARD FOR AN ADULT TO STAY IN THE HOUSE ALL DAY.

I COULDN'T IMAGINE A CHILD, ARE YOU MISSING YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR ENERGY LEVELS YOU CAN GET OUT AND DO STUFF WITH.

BY GIVING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME HERE AND KIND OF GET OUT OF THEIR HOUSE, MAINTAINS A STATUS QUO AND GIVES THEM THAT SENSE OF NORMALCY.

IF YOU THINK YOU NEED TO SUPPORT OF OPERATION COMPASSION OR WOULD LIKE TO DONATE TO HELP THE YMCA YOU CAN VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT >>> IN TIME OF CRISIS COMMUNITIES COME TOGETHER.

>> I HAD AN ELDERLY DAD THAT JUST STOPPED THERE AND STARTED CRYING.

JUST, AGAIN, COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE ARE JUST COMING OUT AND HELPING AND WE DON'T KNOW WHO THEY ARE, NO QUESTIONS ASKED, SO, IT'S -- ITS BEEN H HUMBLING FOR US AND SUCH A BLESSING TO BE ABLE TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE.

>> TYRIFF AND AMBER ARE TWO LOCALS HELPING THOSE WHO CAN'T PICK UP IMPORTANT GROCERIES AND OTHER NEEDS.

>> THREE FAMILIES WAS HELPED TODAY.

AMBER IS ON THE WAY TO DROP OFF SOMETHING FOR A FAMILY IN REDDING.

I WOULD SAY IT'S A SUCCESSFUL DAY.

YESTERDAY WE HELPED ABOUT FIVE FAMILIES.

>> AS FAMILIES STRUGGLE THROUGH THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC THE STEEL FITNESS RIVER PORT EMPLOYEE AND HIS FRIEND ARE CREATING PROJECT INSPIRE, A FACEBOOK GROUP TO REACH THOSE IN NEED.

>> FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE HELPING ONE PERSON AND NOW THIS FACEBOOK GROUP HAS OVER 2,000 MEMBERS.

HOW DID THAT HAPPEN >> WELL, AT MY JOB I'M A TRAINER.

A YOUNG LADY FELL INTO A SITUATION WHERE SHE WAS ABUSED AND SHE WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE HOME BUT -- SHE HAD NOTHING.

I STARTED HELPING HER OUT.

THEN THE CORONAVIRUS HIT AND SHE HAD NOWHERE TO STAY BECAUSE NOBODY IS TAKING ANYONE IN.

I DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF RESOURCES SO I STARTED TO ASK AMBER IF SHE KNEW ANY WAY SHE COULD HELP.

SHE TRAVELED ALL THE WAY DOWN, TWO OURS AWAY TO HELP THIS YOUNG LADY OUT.

AFTER THAT I DON'T KNOW HOW THE WORD STARTED GETTING OUT THAT I WAS HELPING PEOPLE BUT PEOPLE KEPT ASKING ME FOR HELP AND I KEPT ASKING PEOPLE, STARTED THE PAGE.

I WAS LIKE IF I CAN JUST MAKE A PAGE WHERE PEOPLE KNOW THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE IN NEED I THINK IT WOULD HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT.

>> NOW LOCALS FROM ACROSS THE AREA ARE USING THE PROJECT INSPIRE GROUP TO SHARE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON FOOD PANTRIES, ORGANIZATIONS IN NEED OF DONATION AND MORE.

SOME ARE SHARING HOW TO VIDEOS FROM THEIR HOMES.

>> THIS IS A NO SEW MASK WHICH I'M EXCITED ABOUT BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A SEWING MACHINE AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE ONE EVEN IF I HAD ONE.

>> TO HAND WASHING TECHNIQUES SHARED BY A PENNSYLVANIA NURSE.

>> WASHING YOUR HANDS IS THE FIRST AND BEST LINE OF DEFENSE TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF THE INFECTION AND úALSO REFUSE GETTING THE INFECTION.

>> THE GROUP'S FOUNDERS SAY THAT LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES ARE STEPPING INTO HELP.

>> NOT ONLY ARE REGULAR COMMUNITY PEOPLE HELPING OUT.

THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE STEPPING UP, WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ME AND WITH NO QUESTION ASKED ARE LIKE COME HERE AND I WILL HELP YOU.

IT SPEAKS VOLUMES OF THIS COMMUNITY.

I'M PROUD TO BE PART OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY.

>> THEY SAY THAT THE DECISION TO JUMP INTO ACTION WAS EASY.

THEY SAY IF NOT THEM, THEN WHEN >> IF I'M HEALTHY AND I'M COMFORTABLE WITH GOING OUT AND DOING THE SHOPPING AND DOING DROP OFFS THINGS, THEN THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST SCARED AND RIGHTFULLY SO.

YOU KNOW IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE.

WHY -- YOU KNOW WHY NOT US IF WE CAN >> YEAH.

I FEEL LIKE AT THIS TIME A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THERE WAS NOBODY THAT CARED THERE WAS NO HELP.

SO, I WANTED TO CHANGE THAT.

>> THEY SAY ANY FUNDS DONATED TO PROJECT INSPIRE ARE USED TO PURCHASE GOODS AND SUPPLIES FOR THE CARE PACKAGES THEY PROVIDE, FILLING THEM WITH ESSENTIALS LIKE FOOD, DIAPERS AS MORE AS WELL AS REIMBURSE VOLUNTEER DELIVERY DRIVERS FOR FUEL.

ANYONE LOOKING TO HELP WITH VISIT PBS 39.

ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.

AS MY COLLEAGUE SHOWS US, COMPASSION IS SPREADING, ACROSS THE LEHIGH VALLEY.

THAT STORY UP NEXT.

REPORTING FROM BETHLEHEM, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.

I'M CASEY LOPEZ.

PBS39, NEWS TONIGHT.

.

.

>>> ARTISAN INDIAN FOOD IS OFFERING CURBSIDE PICK UP, WAITING FOR THE DAY CUSTOMERS CAN COME BACK INSIDE.

THE RESTAURANT HAS A NEW ROLE NOW.

THE HEADQUARTERS OF LEHIGH VALLEY SHEIKS.

>> BUN OF THE BASIC TENANTS IS SERVING PEOPLE IN NEED.

>> WE THOUGHT WOE WITH COME TOGETHER AS AN INTEGRATED COMMUNITY TO HELP OTHERS AND HELP OURSELVES THROUGH THIS, DISASTER.

>> THE ORGANIZATION STARTED WITH A FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE TO HELP THOSE WHO AREN'T ENABLE TO SHOP FOR THEMSELVES AS WELL AS OTHERS FEELING A FINANCIAL PINCH.

ONE IS SET TO SHOP FOR THE FOOD, USING MONEY PEOPLE HAVE DONATED.

THEY ARE SPENDING UP TO $2,000 A WEEK.

VOLUNTEERS GO OUT AND DROP OFF THE BAGS.

SO FAR THEY HAVE DELIVERED 60.

THE CO ORGANIZER SAID THE GOAL IS TO DELIVER AT LEAST 40 EVERY WEEK.

>> PACKAGES ARE DESIGNED FOR FAMILY OF FOUR OR FIVE.

WE HAVE AT LEAST ABOUT TWO TO THREE MEALS IN THERE RANGING FROM BREAKFAST TO DINNER.

>> THEY EXPANDED TO MAKING PPE.

PARENTS AND KIDS WORK TOGETHER USING FABRIC FROM SOME OF THEIR OWN CLOTHES.

>> WE HAVE MADE ABOUT 400 MASKS AND WE HAVE GIVEN THOSE OUT TO THE NURSES AND THE FRONTLINE VOLUNTEERS.

THE PLAN IS TO MAKE MANY MORE OF THOSE.

>> THEY ARE ALSO WORKING ON MAKING FACE SHIELDS AND PRINTING 3D MASKS.

SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WORK IN HEALTH CARE WHICH MAKES THIS MISSION MORE PERSONAL.

>> WE NEED TO HELP PEOPLE WHETHER IT'S A SHEIK OR NONSHEIK.

ALL OF THESE HANDMADE MASKS HAVE GONE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE FROM EVERYWHERE IN THE COMMUNITY.

I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT IN THESE TIMES, ESPECIALLY WE NEED TO SHOW OUR FAITH AND HELP PEOPLE AROUND US.

>> I THINK IF YOU LOOK AROUND IT'S NOT LOOKING AT WHERE YOU ARE COMING BUT IT IS ALL OF US TOGETHER RESPECTIVE OF YOUR FAITH, COLOR, RACE.

>> IT'S INSTINCT FOR SHEIKS TO JUMP TO THE FOREFRONT AND HELP IN ANY WAY THEY CAN.

WITH THE FOOD AID AND AS IT GREW THE PPE PROJECT WE MADE IT WORK.

>> THIS ORGANIZATION RELIES ON DONATIONS.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP WE WILL PUT MORE INFORMATION WITH THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

PBS 39.

ORG.

IN EASTON, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.

PBS39 NEWS TONIGHT.

>>> COUNTY EMPLOYEES LAID OFF.

>>> I DON'T THINK I HAVE BEEN ON A DATE IN OVER A YEAR.

A REAL DATE.

YOU KNOW THESE THINGS HAPPEN WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT I GUESS.

>> BEING STUCK IN YOUR HOUSE OR APARTMENT CAN BE TOUGH FOR ANYONE.

FOR SOMEONE TRYING TO DATE IT CAN BE EVEN MORE CHALLENGING.

28-YEAR-OLD JEREMY WHO LIVES IN NEW YORK CITY, BUT IS FROM BETHLEHEM, TOWNSHIP IS TAKING THE INTERNET BY STORM WITH HIS STORY ABOUT GETTING THE GIRL.

>> I LOOKED OUT MY WINDOW.

I WAS SHOOTING A PHOTOGRAPH PROJECT AND SAW HER DANCING.

I'M JUST ATTRACTED TO THIS KIND OF ENERGY.

I WENT OUT ON MY BALCONY.

I WENT OUT AND WAVED TO HER AND SHE WAVED BACK.

WE EXCHANGED SMILES.

YEAH, THEN I WANTED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH HER.

I WROTE MY NUMBER ON A PIECE OF PAPER AND FLEW MY DRONE ACROSS THE STREET.

>> NOW THE STORY IS MAKING IT'S WAY AROUND THE WORLD.

PLENTY OF OUTLETS HAVE REACHED OUT TO JEREMY WHO WAS DOCUMENTING THE STORY THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.

NOW THE FIRST VIDEO HAS AROUND 31 MILLION VIEWS AND THE STORY DIDN'T END THERE.

>> I WAS LIKE MAYBE I SHOULD DO A SOCIAL DISTANCE DATE.

I CAME UP WITH THE IDEA TO HAVE A DINNER WITH HER, ASKING HER OUT TO DINNER.

I WAS ON MY BALCONY AND SHE WAS ON HER ROOF.

I COORDINATED HER ROOMMATE TO SET UP A NICE TABLE WITH A BOTTLE OF WINE.

I WORE SOMETHING NICE, SHE DID, WE ENJOYED DINNER WHILE FACE TIMING EACH A. HE SHOULD A BLAST ON THEIR FIRST SOCIAL DISTANCING DATE AND REALLY WANTED TO IMPRESS HER WITH A SECOND DATE.

>> I WANTED TO ONE UP IT FOR THE NEXT DATE.

THAT'S WHEN I USED MY BUBBLE.

>> THAT NEXT DATE CAUGHT A FEW PEOPLE'S EYE.

>> MY LOVE LANGUAGE IS SURPRISING.

BOTH THESE DATES HAVE BEEN SURPRISE AND OUR NEXT ONE WILL BE A SURPRISE.

>> ALL THE ATTENTION HIS STORY IS GETTING HAS ADDED UP TO A BIG SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING.

>> I THINK I HAVE GAINED OVER A MILLION FOLLOWERS WHICH IS WILD.

THROUGH TIKTOK I GAINED ABOUT NORTH OF 700,000 AND THEN INSTAGRAM NORTH OF 200,000.

THEN ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK I GAINED SOME TOO.

YEAH.

FROM THIS -- YOU KNOW FROM THIS STORY I GOT A LOT OF FOLLOWERS WHICH IS GREAT FOR MY PHOTOGRAPHER BUSINESS.

>> HIS PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS COULD CERTAINLY BENEFIT BUT IT WAS HIS PRIOR SUCCESS THAT GOT HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK HER OUT.

>> THIS THING HAPPENED AND I CREATED A PHOTOGRAPH SERIES WHERE I WAS DOCUMENTING PEOPLE ON THEIR ROOFS FROM MY APARTMENT.

THIS ALL HAPPENED BECAUSE I STARTED THIS PHOTOGRAPH SERIES.

I WAS LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW.

TO GOT PICKED UP MY NEW YORK MAGAZINE.

THEY -- WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING THEY DECIDED TO PUBLISH MY SERIES WHICH I WAS REALLY EXCITED ABOUT.

THEN ALL THE SUDDEN THEY TOLD ME THEY PICKED MY IMAGE AS THE COVER.

>> HE HAS BEEN LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS BUT SAID HIS PATH TO BECOMING A GREAT PHOTOGRAPHER STARTED RIGHT HERE IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY.

>> SINCE I STARTED PHOTOGRAPHY WHILE I WAS IN FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL WITH MR.

KING, WHO IS LIKE -- I CREDIT A LOT OF MY SUCCESS TO HIM.

HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST TEACHERS I HAVE HAD, MAYBE THE BEST.

HE WAS THE PHOTOGRAPH TEACHER AT FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL.

YEAH, IF HE IS LISTENING TO THIS, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING.

FOR STARTING THIS PATH FOR ME TO BE WHERE I'M AT TODAY.

>> YOU CAN JOIN IN FOLLOWING THEM ON THEIR NEXT DATE BY CHECKING THEM OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHETHER IT'S TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK OR FACEBOOK.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HIM AS A PHOTOGRAPHER ON HIS WEBSITE.

HE TELLS US THAT TORY'S BIRTHDAY IS COMING UP AND HE HAS BIG PLANS.

IN BETHLEHEM, TOWNSHIP.

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.

PBS39, NEWS TONIGHT.

>>> THE BEST THING THAT PEOPLE CAN DO RIGHT NOW IS TO STAY AT HOME.

>> WE ARE SOCIAL BEINGS, BUT WHEN THAT HUMAN INTERACTION IS LIMITED, IT CAN AFFECT US PSYCHOLOGY.

>> IF YOU LIVE A LOCAL, THEN THIS MEANS YOU ARE NOT HAVING IN-PERSON INTERACTIONS WITH PEOPLE, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND IF YOU LIVE WITH A FAMILY, MAYBE MULTIPLE GENERATIONS IN THE FAMILY, YOU'RE SPENDING A LOT MORE TIME WITH THOSE PEOPLE THAN YOU WOULD NORMALLY.

THE FEELINGS OF EITHER TOO MUCH TIME OR NOT ENOUGH TIME CAN BE REALLY STRESSFUL IN MANY WAYS.

>> Reporter: GINA TURNER IS AN ASSOCIATE PROFESS OAR OF PSYCHOLOGY AT NORTHAMPTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN BETHLEHEM AND SAYS THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS BOUND TO HAVE REAL EFFECTS ON CASES OF LONELINESS, DEPRESSION, AND ANXIETY.

>> WE DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW LONG WE'RE GOING TO BE SOCIAL DISTANCING, AND WHAT LEVELS TO WHICH WE'LL BE SOCIAL DISTANCING SIX MONTHS FROM NOW, A YEAR FROM NOW.

THESE ARE THE SORTS OF THINGS THAT CAN TRIGGER THINGS LIKE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: A 2020 NATIONAL SURVEY BY THE INSURANCE AND HEALTH SERVICES FIRM CIGNA SHOWED LONELINESS LEVELS REACHED AN ALL-TIME HIGH OF 61% OF AMERICAN ADULTS REPORTING FEELINGS OF SEPARATION, WHILE A 2019 UVGOV POLL FOUND 20% OF MILLENNIALS FEEL LONELY OR OFTEN AFTER LEADING TO SOCIAL DISTANCING AND ISOLATION.

>> WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ISOLATION IN OUR SOCIETY ANY WAY.

THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEMS OF LONELINESS ARE -- THERE ARE PHYSICAL RAMIFICATIONS TO LONELINESS.

IT INCREASES YOUR RISKS OF ILLNESS AS MUCH AS SMOKING, THAT'S SOME OF THE NEWEST RESEARCH ON THIS.

SO IT'S A REALLY SERIOUS ISSUE.

>> BUT THERE ARE WAYS ARE US TO MOVE FORWARD, MAINTAINING SOCIAL INTERACTIONS WITH THE ONES WE LOVE WHILE ADHERING TO SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SHELTER IN PLACE RESTRICTIONS.

>> CALL UP PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVEN'T TALKED TO IN YEARS.

CHECK ON PEOPLE, THE ELDERLY PEOPLE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

GIVE THEM A CALL, OR EVEN LEAVE A NOTE ON THEIR DOOR.

ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT HAS HAPPENED IS HOW MANY THINGS HAVE GONE ONLINE, SO IF YOU DO HAVE ACCESS TO A DEVICE WHERE YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND WATCH THE VIDEOS THAT ARE BEING PRODUCED BY MUSICIANS OR ANOTHER NICE THING IS HOW MANY THINGS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE, LIKE YOGA CLASSES OR POETRY WORKSHOPS, I HAVE SOME GOOD FRIENDS WHO LIVE ON THE WEST COAST AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING VIRTUAL HAPPY HOURS, SO -- AND THE OTHER WEEKEND WE ALL STARTED A MOVIE AT THE SAME TIME AND THEN WE JUST TEXTED EACH OTHER WHILE WE WATCHED THE MOVIE TOGETHER.

SO, IT'S FUN HOW CREATIVE PEOPLE ARE GETTING ABOUT HOW TO INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER, BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE ARE REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE IDEA OF SITTING IN A -- YOU KNOW, IN A VIDEO AND WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH YOURSELF, BUT YOU COULD MAYBE READ AN ARTICLE AND DISCUSS IT OR DO A LITTLE VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: TURNER SAYS NOW IS THE TIME TO USE TECHNOLOGY FOR OUR SOCIAL BENEFIT BECAUSE WE MAY SHELTER IN PLACE DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO DO IT ALONE.

REPORTING FROM BETH LAHALF NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PBS 39 NEWS TONIGHT.