Weekly Recap: What You Might Have Missed

6 min readFeb 2, 2021

As the Biden-Harris administration geared up in DC, we had a busy first district week of the year! I am looking forward to tackling the many challenges facing our community with the new administration, including beating this virus, ensuring justice and equity, and putting the American people first.

Here’s how I spend this past week working for you:

The COVID-19 vaccine is top of mind!

In every conversation I had last week, whether at the opening of the new Delco Wellness Center, in zoom meetings, or in a trip to the grocery store, people wanted to talk about the new COVID19 vaccines — where to get them, when they will be available, and what the side effects are. In the first weeks of vaccine distribution, we have seen the negative impact of inadequate planning and the lack of a national strategy for rolling out the vaccine. Last week, Dr. Fauci briefed members of Congress on efforts by the Biden administration to correct inaccurate vaccine predictions by the last administration, ramp up production, and make distribution more fair and predictable.

With that in mind, we will be holding a COVID19 teletown hall regarding vaccines and distribution so that you can ask all of your questions to medical professionals and local officials on Thursday, February 18, at 8 pm. Stay tuned to our social media for further details.

In the meantime, here are some local resources:

We are currently in Phase 1A of vaccine distribution. People who live or work in Delco can now pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine by completing a form found on the Chester County Health Department’s COVID-19 website: chesco.seamlessdocs.com/f/delcovac.

Delco has also established a vaccine call center to answer your questions. You can reach them at:

Phone: (484) 276–2100
Email:Covid19Resources@co.delaware.pa.us

For residents who live in Montgomery County & Philadelphia, here are the links for information on the COVID-19 vaccine⬇️

MontCo: montcopa.org
Philly: covid-vaccine-interest.phila.gov

Read about the town hall here: https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pa-rep-scanlon-takes-questions-on-covid-capitol-riot-and-schools-during-town-hall/

Introduced a resolution recognizing January as National Mentoring Month

There are currently 9 million young people in the United States feeling isolated from meaningful connections with adults outside their homes, resulting in a ‘‘mentoring gap.” Mentors provide youth with the support, encouragement, and guidance they need to succeed through academic and personal challenges.

We all need someone in our corner, but too many young people are making choices and decisions every day without the support of an adult. That’s why I’m proud to join Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler (WA-03) in recognizing January as National Mentoring Month to celebrate the powerful impact of mentoring relationships and to raise awareness about the increased need for caring adults to become mentors in our communities.

Read more here: https://link.medium.com/xcqQJTeGrdb

Submitted PA5 vaccine concerns to President Biden and Acting Secretary of Health Cochran

The previous administration’s scattershot pandemic response left the most at-risk Americans competing against each other for this vaccine. We need to move immediately to correct this situation.

I requested that, in determining vaccine allocation to states and localities, their administration weigh vaccine allotments with attention to the number of vulnerable individuals within these jurisdictions and not simply by total population. That way, communities like ours, with a larger than average share of healthcare workers, and minority and elderly Americans are not left competing against one another for a scarce resource they all should have priority in accessing.

Read more here: https://link.medium.com/ZZpsn3gHrdb

Hosted our first town hall of 2021!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first tele-town hall of 2021.

Read about the town hall here: https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pa-rep-scanlon-takes-questions-on-covid-capitol-riot-and-schools-during-town-hall/

Celebrated the 100th birthday of Otis Evans, a WWII Navy veteran from our district

It was an honor to be able to join Mr. Evan’s family alongside local police and fire departments outside of his nursing home to wish home a happy birthday and thank him for his service! It was my pleasure to be able to deliver to him a flag flown over the Capitol.

Check out the celebration here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Syw4SC7fBqA&feature=youtu.be

Stopped by the opening of the new Delco Wellness Center

This pandemic has rocked our community to the core. The new Delaware County Wellness Center will serve as a public health anchor in our community and be a vital resource in combating this virus.

Continued work with local agencies to address hunger in our communities

The economic disruption caused by the pandemic has forced many families to rely upon public and private food distribution efforts to keep hunger at bay. We work closely with food pantries and agencies to support their efforts and keep abreast of community need as we craft and troubleshoot relief legislation. This past week, we sponsored a food drive with Delaware County in Glen Mills and helped distribute food to families at Upper Darby Township, and to idled restaurant workers at Le Virtu restaurant in South Philadelphia.

Groundhog Day Fun

I had the opportunity to join the annual Groundhog Festival at John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, where young visitors participated in a wildlife scavenger hunt and a storybook walk on a bright and brisk winter day. Parents also enjoyed the opportunity for their offspring to expend some energy outside in a socially distanced way.

Watch a short video from the festival here: https://fb.watch/3pvne8MrTm/

I continue to meet with our local public health and community leaders each week as we work together to map our path out of this pandemic and towards recovery. Thank you for everything you’re doing to keep your friends, family, and neighbors safe. Keep social distancing. Keep wearing your mask, And wash your hands frequently. We know that these are challenging times, but we can support each other to come through stronger.

Our office is here to help as we navigate this crisis together. You can reach us by phone at 610- 626 — 2020 or by sending me a message through our website at scanlon.house.gov/contact.