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.
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
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.
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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.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Campaigns begin public fight over Maine law limiting vaccine exemptions
Opponents of the law see the elimination of non-medical exemptions for schoolchildren as government overreach, while supporters argue that children’s health is at stake.
Posted inMaine, News, Schools & Education
Flu season ramps up in Maine, hitting some schools hard
A school in Standish and another in Sanford closed Monday, with 3,020 influenza cases reported so far this season across Maine.
Posted inMaine, News
Mainers with ties to China describe life amid coronavirus outbreak
More than 8,000 people have been infected worldwide, and efforts to limit exposure have led Mainers with connections to China to curtail or cancel travel and attendance at social or cultural events.