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Coronavirus Update, Tuesday, March 10, 2020
(We feel it’s important to share some turn-around good news – and we fear this may soon become like a snowstorm where everything is closed or canceled – also, after today we will report only major or unusual case #s reported…here we go…as always, updates from original publication time in italics)
GOOD NEWS
Riders on the MBTA are noticing the railcars smell of lemon – and they’re liking it – maybe some new standards of cleanliness for public transportation will come out of this
CVS Health is waiving charges for home delivery for prescriptions. AETNA will also offer 90 day prescriptions.
China – rate of infection going down & 11 of 14 rapidly built hospitals are being closed.
China – President Xi Jinping visited China’s virus epicenter
New York prisoners will be making hand sanitizer in the prison for consumer use.
Rhode Island has enough tests right now, and is getting access to its protective equipment for healthcare workers.
South Korea numbers are leveling off.
The Louvre has reopened.
The Cruise Ship in California – is home and travelers are transported to their quarantine spots
The Cruise Ship in Florida has disembarked and people have gone home
INTERNATIONAL
Hong Kong is experiencing a dramatic decline in cases – the community is particularly responsive to protective measures due to their experience with SARS and they credit early advice to wash hands, wear masks, and distant themselves socially. This bears watching.
Burkina Faso – a sub-Saharan area – temperature 88 degrees – will virus live?
Japan’s opening of the baseball season was moved from March to April
Germany is doing drive-thru testing – patients do not get out of their cars
Madrid, Spain closes all schools for 15 days
Russia – 20 new cases
Paris, France – Stock market collapsed with 8.39% decline
Canada – first death – 80 yr old in a nursing home
Wuhan Province – 4th doctor has died
Cyprus – first 2 cases – now all of Europe impacted
Portugal – President is self-quarantining
Italy’s museums that can assure a 1-meter distance between people can reopen (not in quarantine zone)
Italian prison had a riot w/concern of prisoners being “locked in with virus” – 6 prisoners died.
Oil Crashes 31% in Worst Loss Since 1991.
Israel requiring 14 day quarantine for ALL travelers from abroad – step called dramatic
Ireland – Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been canceled
Ireland – 33 cases
Iran – awful news as 20 people die from drinking adulterated alcohol when told that it would kill the virus
Iran – has released 70,000 prisoners – unclear if they will have to return at “end of epidemic”
NATIONAL
D.C. – one of two testing positive is the Rev. Timothy Cole, the rector of Christ Church Georgetown – all church activities suspended
New chief of staff to president, Mark Meadows, is under self-quarantine
More members of congress self-quarantine: Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, Rep. Julia Brownley, from California
Port Authority/NY & NJ: Rick Cotton, the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the region’s major airports, bridges, tunnels and bus terminals, has tested positive for the coronavirus
Wall Street is being summoned to the White House to meet with the President. Dow closed down 7.8%.
Princeton University – going online after spring break
Washington State – 31 out of 35 patients at nursing home test positive
President Trump has scheduled no new rallies this week, perhaps bowing to advice
Florida declares state of emergency
Amazon allows warehouse staff to take sick time that will not be taken from their bank of sick days
New York – 3 new cases; first in Brooklyn
Schools – Many school systems are grappling with problem in closing schools (Seattle, New York) in that most of their students depend on the school lunch system for meals
Florida – if you have traveled overseas, self-quarantine
California’s Santa Clara County bans gatherings of 1,000+ people
‘Jeopardy!’ and ‘Wheel of Fortune’ won’t tape in front of audiences over coronavirus fears
RHODE ISLAND & LOCAL REGION
Gov. Update:
- Declared State of Emergency in RI
- No new cases (3) – 53 tested negative; 6 pending; 290 people self-quarantining
- Elderly (60+) & underlying health conditions -do everything we can to protect – have medicines for being sick; stay away from sick people, large groups
- Changes to UI and TDI – if sick/quarantined/caring for others, employees can access 5 days sick leave; TDI will be waving waiting period to collect, and eligible to collect for 14 days; corona hotline for employers: 462-2020
- Federal program – DUA – paid unemployment type benefits – Gov. calls on President to activate the program now
- Asking all employers to do the right thing
- Personal Protective Equipment – RI can begin to access our stockpile
- Nursing Homes – IMMEDIATE New rules: visitation hours limited to ; residents can’t leave for non-emergency reasons; active health screening for all visitors, vendors, entertainers, etc, including temperature taking. If a center can’t provide active screening, the health dept will work with them, and they may not be able to accept visitors until it’s in place.
- More info here: https://health.ri.gov/diseases/ncov2019/
- Looking to set up drive-through testing as a possibility
- Guidance for After-School Sports, etc: can be found here: https://health.ri.gov/publications/guidance/COVID-19-Guidance-for-Athletic-Teams-Athletes-030220.pdf
Tests – RI is said to have enough tests – now we need more PPE – personal protective equipment for medical workers.
CVS has had an office worker test positive in their Lincoln office – those with direct contact are quarantining for 14 days – offices have been cleaned
Brown University – 3 students being tested
Brown University – cancels former President Clinton appearance
Amherst College – will cancel classes, go to virtual after spring break
Lifespan hospitals suspending all visitation, except by permission. RI Hospital, Miriam, Newport, Hasbro Childrens, Bradley Hospital
Care New England Hospitals – same as above – for Kent Hospital, Butler Hospital and Women & Infants – see websites for special circumstances
Mass. New cases – 15 – tied to Biogen conference. Total now at 41
Elementary schools in MA – 2 closed for one day for sanitizing
Mass. School buses are being cleaned overnight
AWE Conference set for 3/26 has been moved to virtual
New England Folk Festival in Acton, MA for April – canceled
Takeda, in Boston, instructs workers to work from home – top employer in area
Connecticut – has issued “prepare to close for 2 weeks” document to its schools – just in case. Also bans travel by state employees. Has had its 2nd case.
Boston & Connecticut St. Patrick’s Day Parades all canceled
PREPAREDNESS
World Health Organization says that it has received applications for 20 vaccines in development and many clinical trials of therapeutics are underway.
Hand Sanitizers – even if the bottle has a claim to kill 99.9% of germs, you want to see a 60% alcohol minimum content.
Cleaning your Cell Phone – You may need the following materials:
- Microfiber cloth
- Isopropyl rubbing alcohol
- Water
- Cotton swabs
- Cleaning gloves
You can make your own cleaning solution with rubbing alcohol and distilled water inside a spray bottle. Rubbing alcohol sanitizes and evaporates quickly. Use this to gently clean – and wipe down with cotton swab.
You can also buy a device called “Phone Soap” which uses UV light – available on Amazon
Boosting Your Immune System – Proactive steps – eat well – fruits and veggies; Vitamin D3 1200 IUs; get flu shot. If you feel ill – take zinc, Vitamin C, elderberry. Taking action and being proactive relieves stress. Sleep is critically important. Wash hands. Sanitize surfaces.
Health Insurance – check your health insurance – particularly for telemedicine options
CDC says people over 80 most at risk
Quest Diagnostics – available on a rolling-out basis – here for more info: https://www.questdiagnostics.com/home/Covid-19/HCP/?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=208