John Kopp

John Kopp

John Kopp is the Chief Health Reporter/Assistant Editor at PhillyVoice. He joined the newsroom after spending five years reporting for the Delaware County Daily Times. He spent the prior year covering state and local politics, including a $4 million Pennsylvania state Senate race. He previously covered Chester city government, the Chester Upland School District and high-school sports. A Temple University graduate, John enjoys long-distance running, watching baseball and exploring new places.

john@phillyvoice.com

September 7, 2020

Labor Day

University of the Arts faculty planning to form labor union

Faculty members at the University of the Arts announced their intentions to unionize on Labor Day. The faculty would be represented by the United Academics of Philadelphia, a union affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers. They seek to secure better compensation and benefits from the art school.

September 7, 2020

Deaths

La Salle College High mourns death of 'kind and thoughtful' football player

Isaiah Turner, a two-sport athlete at La Salle College High School in the Philadelphia suburbs, died after suffering a "sudden catastrophic medical event" at football practice Friday. His family, friends and teammates mourned his death over Labor Day Weekend, describing him as "kind and thoughtful," with a "warm, inviting smile."

August 21, 2020

Mental Health

CHOP researchers see sense of altruism in people's COVID-19 worries

People are less worried about getting COVID-19 than they are that a family member will get it – or that they might unknowingly spread the coronavirus, according to a study conducted by Penn Medicine and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The research also examined the effect of resiliency on anxiety and depression.

June 29, 2020

Fitness

As youth sports return, doctors urge athletes to take 'quaranteam' pledge

Children need to stay physically active during the COVID-19 pandemic, but restarting youth sports requires a balancing act. Pediatricians from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have developed a set of recommendations to guide athletes, parents and coaches as athletics resume.

June 16, 2020

Health Stories

Former Tony Fauci trainee steering Jefferson Health through COVID-19 crisis

Dr. John Zurlo trained under Dr. Anthony Fauci at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the 1980s, conducing HIV/AIDS research. Now, he's serving as Jefferson Health's top infectious diseases expert amid the COVID-19 pandemic, directing the health system on everything from treatment guidelines to personal protective equipment.

May 21, 2020

Fitness

Running with a mask is difficult and hot weather could make it even harder

Wearing a face mask makes running more difficult due to restricted air flow. Doctors recommend modifying workouts to make them less strenuous until the body acclimates to exercising with a mask. But don't expect added fitness benefits. Studies show masks don't mimic altitude training.

May 1, 2020

Government

Coronavirus restrictions to ease in 24 Pennsylvania counties

Pennsylvania will begin reopening by easing coronavirus-related restrictions in 24 northwest and north-central counties on May 8, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday. The Philadelphia region, where COVID-19 cases remain high, is expected to be among the last to reopen.

April 30, 2020

Health News

Remdesivir could be authorized as emergency COVID-19 treatment, report says

The antiviral drug remdesivir reduced the recovery time of COVID-19 patients enrolled in a clinical trial conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, leaving health officials optimistic about its potential. The FDA reportedly may give the drug, developed by Gilead Sciences, an emergency use authorization.

April 29, 2020

Health Stories

Jefferson students meeting demand for critical COVID-19 testing component

Public officials want to ramp up COVID-19 testing, increasing demand for viral transit media, a critical component that preserves the coronavirus as it sent from the testing site to the laboratory. To meet this need, a biotech team from Jefferson University has committed to producing 10,000 VTM units.

April 24, 2020

Health Insurance

Health insurers 'even more important' during COVID-19 crisis, Independence Blue Cross CEO says

Health insurers have a vital role to play amid the COVID-19 crisis, Independence Blue Cross CEO Dan Hilferty says. He discussed coronavirus claims, cost-sharing payments, future premiums and serology testing in an interview.

All PhillyVoice contributors