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Your Coronvirus Update – Today, Sept. 15, 2020
Photo: RI Governor Gina Raimondo greeting children in Providence on the first day of school (Governor’s Twitter post)
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Long Island restaurants that would normally be packing up for the season are expanding with outdoor seating, outdoor heaters, and promotions.
Simon, Brookfield buys J.C. Penney out of bankruptcy
An attorney for many of the 9-11 survivors in NYC says he has lost over 100 clients from COVID-19. He says, with the lung infections/conditions they had, “they didn’t have a chance”.
25,000 tests since Aug. 1st done at Univ. of Arizona, 4.6% positivity rate. Last 10 days most of the cases occurred. Every student who came into dorms were tested at beginning and they were negative. Learned that off-campus residents also need to be tested, which they were not before. They are also doing sewer screenings from dorms – if they find COVID then they test the whole dorm – in some cases finding 1 or 2 asymptomatic people.
Astra-Zeneca and Oxford University have resumed its trial after analyzing the potential disease complication.
The 9-11 Memorial Museum in NYC is now open again to the public.
Hawaii is struggling with a virus outbreak in a veterans home.
Air pollution from the CA wildfires can make people more vulnerable to coronavirus.
Nantucket seeing “surge” of 30 new cases in last few days.
Connecticut Governor says he does not want to see schools close and move to virtual every time a student or staff member tests positive.
Maine has 10 cases tied to a funeral.
Boston Ballet planning virtual Nutcracker
Clark’s Shoes may close 25% of their stores.
Boston Sports Clubs owner company seeks protection in bankruptcy court. They own 185 gyms throughout the country, with 30 in Massachusetts. 24 Hour Fitness and New York Sports Clubs join them and other fitness chains in seeking protection, which allows them to remain open.
The Salvation Army will begin collecting donations to try to offset the expecting 50% shortfall due to closed stores and less in-person shopping.
Antarctica has no COVID – with over 1,000 scientists living on 40 sites – no tourism is allowed, no cruise ships, and restrictions on deliveries, etc.
52% of children who moved out of their parents homes recently have moved back in due to economic and socialization reasons – lack of jobs – school closings – etc.
Lumber is now becoming more expensive and in short supply – due to the pandemic, tariffs, and labor issues.
Abbott Labs in Scarborough Maine, will hire fill another 1,200 new jobs at their Maine facility as it ramps up their “pregnancy-type” COVID-19 testing.
Teachers in 3 states have died since school reopened; 604 cases of the viruses have been recorded in Mississippi alone.
In Connecticut some college students have been asked to step in to teach in public schools as resignations from regular teachers have left the system severely short-handed.
Israel goes into second lockdown as cases surge
Amazon to hire over 100K to keep up with surge for online deliveries
London Airport to cut 240 jobs.
Teacher absences throughout the US leave schools scrambling for subs – with many teachers giving late notice of sick leave/retirements waiting until the last moment for change in schools, etc.
The U.S. State Department has downgraded its travel warning for Mexico.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade will be held virtually this year.
Federal judge rules Pennsylvania Governor’s shutdown order & business closures were unconstitutional
Puerto Rico’s has reopened beaches, casinos, gyms and movie theaters. Face masks and social distancing, especially at the beach, remain mandatory, bars and clubs will stay closed and a10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will continue.
83-year old former French premier Berlusconi has left the hospital and urges French citizens to take the virus seriously. He said doctors told him he had the highest levels of virus they had seen in the tens of thousands of samples they had taken over the past six months. Notably, Berlusconi has a heart condition and a pacemaker. Two of his children, and his girlfriend, are also positive for the virus. They had all been on holiday in Sardinia, where, now, there have been numerous outbreaks. Berlusconi called upon students to take the virus precautions seriously. Doctors said if he had gotten sick back in May, he may not have survived – that much has been learned about treatment. It is not believed he was ever put on a ventilator.
UCONN at Storrs will quarantine 600 students living in off-campus housing who have tested positive
Hobby Lobby has raised its minimum wage to $17/hour to attract more staff as they expand.
Lt. Gov. of Hawaii, a central figure in fighting the virus, tested positive.
In New Jersey, almost three-fifths of people who respond to the state’s COVID-19 contact tracers are refusing to cooperate.
Peeps treats are going on hiatus for several months – another consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. Just Born Quality Confections said it won’t be producing the popular marshmallow sweets for Halloween, Christmas or Valentine’s Day as the Bethlehem based company prepares for next Easter
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
RI Data:
Cases: Friday: 81 – Saturday: 99 – Sunday – 32 Deaths: 9/12 – 3; 9/14 – 1
Percent positivity – 1.4%
Governor’s address: Wednesday, Sept. 16th
Some RI nursing homes are experiencing upticks – RI nursing home group expresses concern
Providence Teachers Union has requested national NIOSH – a division of CDC to do an independent review of all the Providence public schools. Gov. is open to the idea.
Field of Screams in West Greenwich will not open this year.
Worcester looking at creating a community broadband signal due to remote learning needs.
Ponaganset High School staff member tests positive.
The Blackstone Valley Prep charter schools were forced to begin school remotely on Monday after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19
Venus de Milo in Swansea, MA is for sale – one of the most iconic large event facilities in the area. Owner says his retirement was coming but the pandemic moved up the timeline. Press conference set for today. Iconic foods – soup – will be moved to another restaurant location.
The RIDOH has a Back To School promotional campaign – they have budgeted over $147,000 for all creative and content development, and direct media placement costs, funded by CARES Act money.
GAMM Theater moving to online productions and classes
12 Testing sites have been opened for K-12 in RI – It is for any student, teacher or staff member who needs to be tested. Sites are open 7 days a week from 7:30am to 9:30pm – by appointment by claling 844-857-1814. This is only for PreK-12. Services available to multiple languages. Here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PnpW4IfHxb1T8gDkZo1EHs_WTvLyGrzPYW3A6h9VHDY/edit#gid=0
Tiverton Middle School parents have been notified about two children with a probable case who had been at the school (one has tested negative)
A protest over the Virtual Learning Academy will be held tonight
A rally will be held in Coventry to save arts and sports.
Free meals will be provided to students even if they are virtul learning at home – the Grab & Go program will operate much like the summer program did.
Bus drivers from Durham Co. serving Cumberland public schools, BV Prep and Prov. Mayoral Academy 2 may go on strike and have given notice.
This is the last week for voluntary furloughs at the Providence Journal
Women & Infants Hospital’s annual Bright Night for Little Stars is going virtual this year. The Oct. 3 fundraiser will stream live from the Providence Performing Arts Center, where the lineup includes Broadway singer Syndee Winters, comedian Tom Cotter and Rhode Island native and singer Kelley Lennon. Hosted by Joe Wilson Jr. of the Resident Acting Company at Trinity Repertory Company, the night will also feature a specially created performance by the National Virtual Medical Orchestra. The event is free with links to donation mechanisms.