6 million jobs, including 17,000 here in Delco, wiped out

A look at the week that was, the issues and people who made headlines, and a few darts and laurels for those who deserve them.

DART: To all those voices who insisted the coronavirus problem was being overstated. That it was being hyped to tank the economy, just the latest effort to bring down President Trump. That was 6 million-plus jobless claims ago. This is real. It’s not made up. It’s not about politics. It’s about medicine. And a killer that we still don’t have a handle on.

LAUREL: To all those in the health-care field who continue to man the front lines in the battle against COVID-19, the illness that results from coronavirus infections. They are putting their lives on the line every day, despite being understaffed and even in many cases without the crucial personal protection equipment their jobs demand.

DART: If the ever-present danger were not enough, adding more pain to the situation is word of layoffs in the health care field. Trinity Health, which operates Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby Borough, announced it would shed as many as 2,500 jobs.

DART: To the numbers, which continue to track up each day. We get the briefings from Gov. Tom Wolf and Health Secretary Rachel Levine. That we are adding hundreds of new cases every day was not unexpected. It does not make it any easier to process. Of all people, we will never blame the messenger. It comes with the job. We

know the feeling.

DART: To those other numbers, also the result of COVID-19. Delaware County officials report 17,000 people filed for jobless claims. Across the nation, an astounding 6.6million people filed new unemployment claims. Just staggering.

DART: Adding insult to injury, phone lines for those seeking information on filing for jobless claims have had trouble getting through, as the lines are swamped by those who find themselves out of work because of the pandemic.

DART: To the fact that many of those jobs – in particular those in the restaurant, hospitality and tourism industry – may never come back.

LAUREL: We hunger for good news, for those taking up the case in their communities to do positive things. We have instituted a feature to highlight their actions. We are calling it Acts of Kindness. We’re showcasing people like the quilters group at White Horse Village in Edgmont. The masks are being used by staff in the Personal

Care Dementia units as well as in skilled nursing and outpatient wings.

LAUREL: To Delaware County Councilwoman Elaine Schaefer. It’s one thing to talk about “social distancing.” Schaefer put it into practice. On Thursday she held an event on the Chester Creek Trail in Middletown to demonstrate how citizens can keep their distance while engaging in some daily exercise.

DART: Look, we’re all suffering a big of cabin fever. But the experts tell us the one thing that is most effective in this battle against coronavirus is staying home. Which makes the reports of kids gathering for makeshift hoops contests in playgrounds still kind of hard to fathom. Some towns are actually reverting to removing rims from the hoops. A tough stand, but one that is needed.

LAUREL: To Jim Battista. The resident of the Essington section of Tinicum Township took the grand prize on the reality TV show “The Biggest Loser.” When he joined the show, Jim tipped the scales at

385 pounds. When he accepted the crown - & the

$100,000 first-place check - this week, he weighed a svelte 241 pounds. That’s

144 pounds he shed. Jim says the experience has changed his life and led to a happier, healthier lifestyle. He’s a winner in our book.

LAUREL: To Dr. Tony Fauci. Throughout this coronavirus pandemic, his has been a measured, reassuring voice of reason. He resisted the early rosy projections coming from some in the White House, and resolutely warned of the depth of the problem and the struggles ahead. He was not wrong. Eventually, the White House accepted his view.

LAUREL: To two different instances this week where friends and neighbors made sure kids enjoyed a birthday celebration – even in these days of stay-at-home orders. Ryan McAuley, a third-grader at Grace

Park Elementary School in Ridley, had to cancel his birthday plans. But family and friends still helped him celebrate his big 10th birthday – from a distance, cheering and waving signs as they paraded by his house. And police in Marple gave young Rylan Elliott a birthday salute when they went past his house with lights lit and sirens wailing.

LAUREL: To Glen Mills Schools. What was once the nation’s premiere reform school has been largely shuttered in recent months in the wake of a state investigation into widespread allegations of abuse by staff. Now the campus is coming alive again, first as a command center for Delaware County Emergency Services as they respond to the coronavirus crisis, and now as a federal emergency medical center. The campus will house less acute patients – not those with COVID-19. The idea is to utilize the site in the event the region’s hospitals are overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases, thus freeing up beds for those most severely ill.

LAUREL: Speaking of which, if you are looking for a way to help, officials are looking for 700 volunteers to help staff the facility. We’re calling them the Corona Corps.

LAUREL: To Upper Darby. The township is joining a growing list of towns who are honoring veterans with banners flying on local light poles. We love this idea and would love to see it spread across the county. Haverford and Aston already have such displays in place.

LAUREL: To Delaware County food pantries. It’s one of the other unfortunate elements of this pandemic. More people are in need of basic food staples than ever. Bless the individuals who are taking up this pledge to help those in need. No doubt many who never thought they’d find themselves in this position are finding themselves seeking a helping hand.

LAUREL: To Delco Madness. In need of a hoops fix? Still lamenting the loss of the NCAA Tournament and its annual March Madness? We have just the antidote. We’re endeavoring to find the best boys and girls high school basketball teams in Delco history. Yes, it’s a tall task, but we’re up to the challenge. The Sweet 16 brackets kick off this week. Follow the results – and of course argue about the outcomes, every day in our sports pages at DelcoTimes.com.

DART: Yes, we shed a tear Thursday afternoon. That was supposed to be the Phillies home opener vs. the Milwaukee Brewers. The sun was out in full force, even if it was a bit windy and decidedly chilly, but there was no sign of life at Citizens Bank Park.

DART: This was supposed to be Masters weekend. Quibble about it all you want, it is one of the grandest events in all sports, and a traditional harbinger that spring has finally arrived. Augusta National in all her glory, with the azaleas and rhododendrons in full bloom, will instead be quiet this weekend. The tournament has been postponed. Sounds like a double-bogey to us.