Rick Paraschak died Sunday of complications from COVID-19. His family remembers him as driven and committed to helping others.
Eric Russell
Staff Writer
Eric Russell has been a general assignment reporter at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram since 2012 and has been a journalist in Maine since 2004. Because he doesn’t have a specific geographic or topical area to cover, Eric often is free to roam the state in pursuit of the most interesting stories, whether it’s tackling the big topic of the day or chasing ideas that fall just outside the boundaries of everyday news. His favorite assignments are ones where he can leave the office and meet with people in their homes or their workplaces to talk about their struggles and challenges – and sometimes their triumphs. Or to try and answer complicated questions.
Eric grew up in Southern Maine, went to college at the University of Maine and worked in Bangor for eight years before joining the Press Herald. He lives in Brunswick with his wife, a school teacher, and two daughters.
Posted inMaine, News
Gov. Mills to increase pay for direct care workers 3 months early
The increase, passed by the Legislature, was set to go into effect on July 1 but now will happen on April 1 to help ensure that home care is available to older Mainers during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Posted inMaine, News
Coronavirus claims state’s first fatality as case count rises
The victim was a Cumberland County man in his 80s. The number of cases has grown to 168.
Posted inMaine, News
Maine’s testing backlog grows amid national shortage of key chemicals
In response, the Maine CDC continues to prioritize testing hospitalized patients or health care workers while buying another testing ‘platform’ that doesn’t use the chemical reagent that’s in short supply.
Posted inMaine, News
Governor puts restrictions on nonessential businesses
The restrictions took effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday and will last for 14 days.
Posted inMaine, News
What you need to know about coronavirus testing in Maine
Limited testing supplies have shifted CDC guidelines for who should be tested, but the decision still rests with physicians.
Posted inMaine, News, Uncategorized
‘Hope vs. hopelessness’ – navigating mental health diagnoses in the time of coronavirus
Those with existing mental health diagnoses are at higher risk of suicide and those with lower-level anxiety or depression might see their symptoms worsen in a time of great stress and uncertainty
Posted inMaine, News
For those in addiction recovery, social distancing is a recipe for relapse
Many who are recovering from drug or alcohol addiction rely on the routine and shared experience of recovery meetings, many of which are now are being held online.
Posted inMaine, News
Wait for testing frustrates Mainers who fear they are infected
‘My concern is with doctor’s offices telling people to wait out the symptoms,’ says a Portland woman who’s been sick since last week.
Posted inMaine, News
Maine doctors and nurses grapple with misinformation, patients’ fears
In hospitals and doctors’ offices across the state, patients are asking a lot of questions about their risk of contracting coronavirus.