Subscribe!
Coronavirus Update – Today – March 18, 2020
INTERNATIONAL
Louis Viton turning manufacturing to hand sanitizer to address shortage
Australian supermarkets open early to allow elderly to shop and buy supplies
Spain turning back cars at their borders.
Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue closes
U.K. advises against all non-essential international travel for 30 days
Contestants on Germany’s ‘Big Brother’ to be told about coronavirus pandemic
European Union – sweeping 30-day ban on most non-essential travel into the 27-country bloc
International Olympic Committee ‘remains fully committed to the Olympic Games’ to start in late July
The Chinese government will revoke press credentials for American journalists who work for the N.Y. Times, WashPost and Wall Street Journal
NATIONAL
SATs – makeup date for March canceled. May date canceled
All Nevada’s casinos ordered to close
Gun sales are up with 2.3Million background check requests – up 36%
Beverly Hills’ iconic Rodeo Drive closed to shoppers
West Virginia, the last state with no virus cases, has had their first
Brooklyn Nets say 4 players tested positive
Midway Airport tower in Chicago closed after employees test positive for coronavirus
Several NETS players test positive
Nordstrom closes all stores
Al Roker does the weather forecast — from home
Employee at Sing Sing prison tests positive
Florida governor refuses to shut down beaches amid spread of coronavirus
Gun and ammunition sales rise amid coronavirus fears
Philadelphia police to stop arresting certain non-violent offenders
Military aid may be called in to help NYC
Carney Hospital in Dorcester, MA – is the 1st dedicated hospital in US
Presidential briefing:
Reschedule routine doctor/dentist office
Looking for immediate financial relief for all Americans
IRS to defer for 90 days for $1M personal income; $10M companies
Calling on local contractors to donate N95 masks to local hospitals & to stop ordering them for now
People w/travel plans – don’t take them – enjoy your living room
Millennials urged not to go out to bars at night
Fast Food restaurants – asking them to keep drive thrus open
Telemedicine to be made more accessible, and free
Dem race could be frozen in place after Tuesday’s primaries
Kentucky Derby to be postponed until September
New York City – 814 in NYC; Considering shelter in place. Nothing like this since 1918 epidemic combined with Great Depression. Need direct income support for thousands who will be left with absolutely no money – support on a vast scale – can only come from the federal govt.
Dierks Bentley donates $90K to employees after closing Nashville bar
UBER ends its Pool service, allowing riders to share a car
France – country is on lockdown – you have to stay inside, you can walk your dog, take a walk – but you have to be alone. Have to download a permission ship to do otherwise.
Staffing firms sees ‘unprecedented’ demand for nurses
Ohio polls will remain closed amid ’emergency,’ governor says
Dental Association wants 3-week delay on elective procedures
Los Angeles sheriff releasing inmates, urging fewer arrests
New York Stock Exchange members are being screened for temperature as they enter
Amazon limits warehouse service to household staples and medical supplies – high-demand goods include baby products, health and household items, beauty and personal care products, groceries, industrial items and pet supplies.
California governor halts evictions and foreclosures
New York Times staffer tests positive and is at home recovering
San Francisco – 7 million people sheltering in place
Macy’s – closes all stores across US
Dow closes up 1,000 points on news of $1trillion stimulus
Las Vegas Sands Casino closes, will continue to pay workers, no layoffs, and donated $250K to community *
Hoboken, New Jersey – Mayor asked all citizens to self-isolate
MASH units may be used to set up mobile hospital units
RHODE ISLAND AND VICINITY
Stats: 200 cases in Massachusetts; 68 in Connecticut; 23 in Rhode Island
RIPTA – Bus passes extended for one month. Ticket counter closed
All Libraries closed per RI Office of Library & Information Services
Gun sales are up in RI with long lines, especially due to in-person limits
Pawtucket Senior Center closed; seniors lunch pickup 11am to 1pm
Stop & Shop – starts senior shopping hours today – 6am to 7:30am
Pawtucket: Probate and municipal court hearings postponed through March 29th, unless a judge determines there to be an emergency situation requiring a hearing
Pawtucket – Free Grab & Go Breakfast & Lunch – 11am to 1pm: Jenks – Goff – Slater – Tolman – Shea – Fallon – Curtis – Baldwin
Pawtucket Animal Shelter and Daggett Farm both located in Slater Park closed.
Grab & Go Palms possible for Palm Sunday
RI EZPass office at bridge is closed
RIDEM – do not flush wipes down the toilet
City of Pawtucket recruiting volunteers for when help is needed for community members. For more info email [email protected] or phone 401-616-2241
The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission adopted the emergency order on Monday that covers all electric, natural gas, water and sewer utilities that are regulated by the state. Until March 31st.
Foxwoods & Mohegan closed
First hour of shopping at Dollar General for seniors only.
Trinity Rep cancels remainder of performance calendar
Coastal Medical – utilizing patient portal, telemedicine and on phone servicing of patients
Jordan Furniture closing
Dave’s Market cutting back on hours – closing olive bars
RI Primary Election date has moved to June 2
Governor’s Press Conference
2 new cases – 1 man in his 50s w/extensive travel to Germany, UK; 1 woman in her 40s, no origin? – both at home – 1 person still in hospital
23 positives; 430 negative; 3000 self-quarantining
RI Foundation has raised $1.5M to help nonprofits support the most vulnerable
Office 365 provided free to all RI employers for 6 mos to support working from home; provided nationally if already a customer
Working on $2M or more of small biz loans
Announcement tomorrow of future for K-12 schools
Dentists – suspend non-essential treatments for 21 days
Funerals/Wakes – curtail to less than 25 people attending, don’t go if ill – suggests using live-stream for services
911 – don’t call unless a true emergency
2020 Census is here – take it – data collected determines how much federal support we get for cases like this
Pharmacies – keep pharmacists safe, and drive ups open
Warwick – extended by 30 days city taxes and utilities
GOOD NEWS
Play of the Day – have your kids tape some sports stunts and send them in to Ch. 10 – go on their website for info
Rhode Island is being listed as one of the states with the best response to the virus by Wallet Hub
Use of the Emergency Broadcast System – use it, Rhode Island! Maybe the kids will listen.
MLB – 30 teams are committing $1 million each to help pay their ballpark employees who will lose pay by the virus pandemic. More support will be announced soon.
Las Vegas Sands Casino closes, will continue to pay workers, no layoffs, and donated $250K to community
The Diocese of Providence is distributing Stop & Shop gift cards to those in need on March 18th. Locations are for $25-50. Contact West Warwick Office (401-823-6211); Woonsocket Office (401-762-2849); Wakefield Office (401-783-3149).
Tom Hanks provides update from home: ‘No fever but the blahs’