The agency says it has submitted about a dozen samples to federal testing labs and has obtained the equipment and test kits needed to test 500 to 700 people, starting in about a week.
Joe Lawlor
Staff Writer
Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people.
He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Congress strikes deal to restore low-income heating assistance funds
Maine’s congressional delegation criticized the proposed diversion of $37.4 million in LIHEAP funding to pay for the federal coronavirus response.
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Posted inMaine, News, Politics
‘No’ vote – to keep state’s new vaccine law – wins by overwhelming margin
The proposal to overturn Maine’s new childhood vaccination requirement was losing badly as the tally mounted, with 74% of voters rejecting the ‘people’s veto’ effort.
Posted inMaine, News
Maine health care providers gearing up for coronavirus
The state has had no confirmed cases of COVID-19, but hospitals and other providers are making preparations and practicing their procedures for treating patients and minimizing exposure.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Wording of vaccine referendum raising questions for some voters
A ‘yes’ vote overturns Maine’s new law eliminating all non-medical exemptions to school-required vaccinations, while a ‘no’ vote maintains it.
Posted inMaine, News
Donations pouring in as Maine vaccine referendum nears
With a week remaining before a statewide vote on the new vaccine law, pro-vaccination groups have raised $746,000, compared to $527,000 for groups working to overturn the measure.
Posted inMaine, News
Vaccine vote exposes a collision of individual, community rights
Maine’s new mandate for school-age children pits individual rights against those of the greater community. Parents argue they just want their kids to be safe.
Posted inMaine, News
Advocates seek reforms to state retirement system for disabled workers
Many agree the hurdles are too high in Maine; data show applications plummeted since 2015.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Democrats tout health care bills aimed at cost control, billing transparency
Among the measures, one would cap the monthly cost of insulin, and another would prohibit surprise emergency room bills.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Pharmaceutical companies fund ad campaign to support Maine’s new vaccine law
A lobbying firm is spending $476,000 for TV ads defending the law against a repeal vote on the March 3 ballot, prompting opponents of the law to say the funding is an effort by Big Pharma to control Maine’s vaccine policy.