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The Coronavirus on Smart Talk Friday; Pa jobless numbers second highest in nation and the rise of telemedicine

Sales tax revenues will slump because businesses are closed and families are cutting back on spending. The coronavirus' effect on business has also led thousands to file for unemployment.

 Monica Herndon / Philadelphia Inquirer

Sales tax revenues will slump because businesses are closed and families are cutting back on spending. The coronavirus' effect on business has also led thousands to file for unemployment.

In the last two weeks, 10 million jobs across the country have all but disappeared.  And with most states ordering lock-downs and business closures through the end of April there is little expectation that the employment outlook will improve.

The Wolf administration ordered all non-essential businesses in Pennsylvania to close nearly three weeks ago.  The impact to workers here was immediate. Pennsylvania’s unemployment applications are the second largest in the nation and are on track to pass a million new jobless claims this week.

Joining Smart Talk Friday to provide context to the situation are Gerard Oleksiak, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, along with unemployment compensation benefits Policy Director Susan Dickinson.

Also, the coronavirus pandemic has created a unique opportunity for telemedicine, which involves using electronic communications for clinical services. Telemedicine offers access and options for people without an in-person visit to a doctor’s office.

Appearing on Smart Talk to discuss how technology is changing the future of medicine are Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Professors Michael Seavers, Ph.D., program lead for Healthcare Informatics and Nancy Mimm, DNP,  who leads the University’s Master of Nursing Programs.

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