Coronavirus Update Today – March 25, 2020

Around the US & the World…

AAA is still providing roadside assistance – but not all offices are open – call ahead

Dollar General will hire up to 50,000 workers in the coming weeks. Papa John’s is hiring up to 20,000 as demand for pizza goes up. CVS Health is looking to fill tens of thousands of jobs across the country. And companies (like Walmart, Amazon, Kroger, and Trader Joe’s) are also hiring

Sewing masks – members of Broadway show’s fabric/costume designers are sewing

Americans stock up on Campbell’s pantry staples

Florida – fly into Florida you will have to quarantine for 14 days

SAT tests canceled. College tours on hold.

Fact checker Snopes says it’s overwhelmed by coronavirus misinformation

Los Angeles County sheriff urges social distancing at strip clubs

Washington, DC will close all non-essential businesses

1,000 Inmates Will Be Released From New Jersey to Curb Coronavirus Risk

Warwick Beacon, will publish now once a week, on Thursday, not twice a week.

New York doubling every 3 days – desperate for ventilators now – needs 30,000 – wants national stockpile to release them now – Clinical trials started here today – purchased thousands of drugs – anti-malarial, lupus drug, Z Pack meds – released for off-label use.

70 medicines identified for temporary “vaccine cocktails” until one can be found

New York Presbyterian Hospital – restricting no birth partners in labor/delivery

Rikers Island needs testing so they can isolate prisoners from one another

President said he would like the country to be open for business by Easter, though that may be revisited.

Apple may open some stores in April – but not in the US yet.

Greta Thunberg self-isolates after experiencing coronavirus-like symptoms, and has recovered, but was not tested.

FDA will allow doctors to treat coronavirus patients with blood from survivors

Liberty University welcomed 1,000 students back after spring break in Virginia, against criticism

2 Trillion relief bill agreed to – vote expected today (details to follow)

President’s News Conference

Accelerating testing; over 300,000 done now. Working on making the test easier (front of nose) so only gloves will be needed to do.

Encouraging news coming from Italy now.

Our new cases will continue to surge.

Remain deeply concerned about New York.

Seems that many have left NYC and gone to Long Island and Florida – if you have done this, self-quarantining for 14 days is very important, so the hot spot does not travel with you. Keep doctors informed if you are sick.

More testing needs to be done in non-hotspot locations so we know the trajectory prior to opening the country in any way,

Infection rates in NYC are 1 per 1,000 – very high.

Treatment trials are ongoing – trying to determine their effectiveness and safety. Many clinical trials are in pipeline.

Legislative relief is coming – hopefully by today. This will bolster the financial markets around the world as it injects stability.

VP Pence reviewed inspiring response from businesses, healthcare groups, and individuals throughout US who are “answering the call”.

McDonald’s providing curbside pickup of food for truckers throughout US

Apple donating 9 Million masks

RHODE ISLAND & REGION

Tufts is ramping up dorm rooms for use with patient overflow. Housing the homeless strategies also under consideration.

Harvard president & wife both test positive – recovering at home right now

Providence Business News moves to online only – no paper

Lifespan now acknowledges that a small percentage of employees have been exposed to the virus – none have been hospitalized, all have recovered at home. The hospital group did not say which of their hospital(s) are involved – WPRI secured this information

Eleanor Slater Hospital worker tests positive – 25 patients put in quarantine

Brown University will postpone commencement

Ocean State Job Lot is pledging $250,000 to find and purchase vital supplies like gloves, masks, disinfectants, sanitizers, eye protection and more. It is also asking customers to donate at the register to maximize purchasing power and get supplies to local municipalities and health care facilities as quickly as possible.

Rhode Island College cancels graduation

Block Island restricts travel to island with a Shelter in Place order.

Shelter in Place also for Narragansett, Newport, Westerly and Middletown. – If you come into these locations you must shelter in place for 14 days.

URI cancels live commencement – will look to alternatives

RI prisons look to reduce numbers amidst virus scare

Citizens commits $5 Million for small business and community

Governor’s Press Conference

Data – Rhode Island COVID-19 data:

• Number of Rhode Island COVID-19 positive (including presumptive positive) cases: 124
• Number of people who had negative test results at RIDOH’s State Health Laboratories: 1,143
• Number of people for whom tests are pending at RIDOH’s State Health Laboratories: 196
• Number of people who are currently instructed to self-quarantine in Rhode Island: approximately 3,000

Childcare & Eldercare – RI announces a partnership with Care.com. They will provide 90 days of free, premium access to their site, starting today, for eldercare and childcare (Care.com/Rimed) – primarily for those who must work – healthcare, etc. and need care – there WILL BE a charge for services.

Also – if you are out of work and would consider working WITH Care.com get in touch with them for possible work.

Volunteers – people are offering how they can help – Care.com will also be able to provide opportunities for volunteers in babysitting and eldercare.

Childcare facilities that can stay open – Boys & Girls Club, Children’s Workshop, Learning Curve, Children’s Friend, and Greater Providence YMCA will offer onsite childcare for essential hospital/healthcare workers.  Other childcare guidelines have been developed through DHS – if you want to stay open you must follow them – including surprise visits.

Distance learning – early reports are that it is going well.

UI claims higher than anything seen before – people should not call, just use the internet – unless they don’t have a computer – then call.

Convening the Disaster Funding Board at the RI Legislature to be able to secure a line of credit of $300M

Stress – don’t get isolated, talk facts with your children.

Hair salons inside facilities should shut down – such as in nursing homes.

Wednesday’s press conference with the Governor will be at a new time – 2:30pm