Subscribe!
Coronavirus Update – Today, May 15, 2020
Photo: Mural in Melbourne, Australia, salute to medical staff
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
The CDC Reopening Guide is out: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html
Another round of stimulus for $3 trillion was proposed by the House leadership – the White House calls it DOA (dead on arrival) but is expected to have another round proposed.
New York will lift its stay at home order today – but it stays in place for New York City.
Lloyd’s of London expects up to £3.5bn in coronavirus payouts
Amazon saying 1 and 2 day delivery will begin again soon.
JC Penney is expected to declare bankruptcy and close as many as 200 stores
An old SARS vaccine is being experimented with for use with COVID-19
Germany cases triple overnight.
NIH begins clinical trial of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin to treat COVID-19
The Beverly Hills Dog Show will air on Friday – it is a new show taped before coronavirus
Study enrolling adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 in the United States.
Ohio will allow gyms, pools and campgrounds to reopen next week, and childcare providers in the state will be able to reopen beginning May 31.
110 children with inflammatory disease from coronavirus, now, in NY
Tesla was given the ok to open in California
Federal govt will increase and modernize its stockpile of medical items.
Delta Air Lines to retire its entire fleet of Boeing 777 jets
NBC physician, virologist, Dr. Joseph Fair, tested twice negative and is about to be released from the hospital after coming down with coronavirus he attributes to a flight on an airplane – he surmises he caught it because his eyes were not covered.
The CDC is expected to release on Thursday the detailed guidance for states about how and when to reopen public places like schools, stores and restaurants
NJ gov says Jersey Shore will be open by Memorial Day
Cats can pass the coronavirus to each other, according to new research. It’s still unclear whether felines can pass the virus to humans, but researchers are nonetheless suggesting that pet owners keep cats away from those w/Covid-19.
Conde Nast has furloughed over 100 and laid off 100 as it suspends publication on some of its outlets.
US Stock Exchange will begin to reopen May 26th, with some staff on the floor.
Test cautions were issued about the CVS-used Abbott ID Now test – this test is used at the White House – but Abbott says these results are inconsistent with their findings – reminding people that tests can show false negatives if the person was asymptomatic at the time of the test – a caution for all tests.
Public Health England has approved an antibody test, made by Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche, which may now be used to determine how much of the population has been infected with coronavirus.
Elevators? Avoid riding with another person. Always wear a mask inside the elevator, even if you’re riding alone. Avoid touching your face after touching elevator buttons, and wash your hands afterward. And if you must ride with another person or two, don’t get in unless everyone inside is wearing a mask.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Massachusetts has released its four stages plan to reopen the state – you can find it, here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-four-phase-approach Stages are called Start – Caution – Vigilant – and New Normal. The Reopening Advisory Board consists of 19 members.
Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles will reopen its Middletown branch Monday,
CVS is opening 10 drive through test sites at stores in Massachusetts. They will open also in Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
Yawgoog Boy Scouts Summer Camp responds to the governor’s ok to open summer camps, after their decision to close all of theirs this summer – ““The nature of what we do, just cannot be done in a safe manner”
Blithewold has reopened its outdoor gardens in Bristol
Masks will be required when the Foster Nudist Campground opens this year, whenever people get within 6 feet of each other.
Concerts planned for Saturday at two locations in Burrillville have been postponed, according to a note on the town website.
Mayor of Melrose, Massachusetts got masks for his whole town but no way to deliver them – then dozens of volunteers showed up in bright yellow vests and went door to door delivering to 28,000 residents.
39 Wyatt detainees, 3 ACI inmates test positive for COVID-19
RI House Finance Committee meets for the first time in two months to review federal money in, expenses out.
Past editorial page editor of ProJo, Ed Achorn, writes article about constitutional issues with state close downs, “A dawning realization of the potentially catastrophic cost to states of such edicts may force governors and legislatures at some point to bring the people — including their varied opinions and interests — back into the business of American government. – https://bit.ly/2zFuGC2
A total of 111 persons, or nearly 9.5% of the RI group home population with developmental disabilities, have tested positive for the coronavirus as of May 13, including 7 persons who have died, according Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH). 19 are currently hospitalized and the 85 remaining are recovering in their homes.
Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, MA will undergo new management, reduction in number of residents, and new safety protocols after losing more than 70 veterans.
West Warwick High School students demonstrated about having to wear masks when they walk across the stage by themselves for a video moment that will be put together into a full video.
Suffolk University will open dorm in a local hotel for the fall.
Approximately 50 RI restaurant owners met at Chelo’s in Warwick complaining that the Governor is not moving fast enough in opening restaurants. Owners said they are frustrated, concerned that the 20 table limit is cookie-cutter and larger restaurants could do much more. They feel inside dining could be done safely. Outside dining is too weather dependent. Sending letter to Governor asking for indoor dining on 5/18 or at least by Memorial Day.
McCoy Stadium demonstrated the use of drones to disinfect seats and stadium surfaces with disinfectant fog.
Harvard researchers have said that social distancing may be needed into 2022.
Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth have announced a joint effort to help businesses reopen and job seekers get back to work. The Aquidneck Island Economic Recovery Partnership will include Discover Newport, the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce and other trade and industry partners.
Massachusetts will give $400 for each child in need to families to compensate for food costs.
RI Governor’s Address:
RI Data:
6 Deaths: 1 in 70s, 2 in 80s, 3 in 90s.
We are holding our own as a state. Governor says she asks, begs, implores, orders, that we all keep following the rules.
June 15th – RIPBS will air special graduation – “Your Year 2020” – statewide, televised ceremony – aiming high to get great guests. Memorable as can be. Videos can be submitted by May 22nd. Go to pbs.org/youryear2020 – and learn more and submit video
Summer Camp, Sports, Summertime with Kids:
Summer Camps and Youth Summer Camps can operate in person on June 29th. Not going to be like last year. New cleaning, guidelines, fun but different. 6/29 is a goal we have to work towards. Small pods. 10 kids? Same kids every day. No sick kids, handwashing, etc. Will continue teaching through the summer.
All organized youth sports will be canceled for this summer. This is the CDC guidance. Rough message. Looking at a way to have limited summer sport camps – practices, gatherings. For today we have to follow the CDC rules – no traveling leagues, no little leagues, etc.
Libraries: Library buildings are closed. About ½ offer curbside pickup of pre-ordered books. Will offer limited “browsing” at library in future in Phase 2. Extra cleaning will be required – use of computers is being worked on.
Online portal for federal money being used in RI: Early June we will have an online portal.
Survey for small businesses happening next week.
Less than 10 years old – 2% of cases.
Wyatt – federal govt is responding unit for prison. RI has engaged with them with our congregate support team. Helping to fill in gaps for their testing.
Surveillance program is active across the board. RI learned that there are about 5 ACI cases that test positive, but no active symptoms.
Kawasaki Disease or Inflammatory Disease in Children – inflammatory reaction to some form of inciting element such as a virus.
Hairdressers, etc Testing – trying to set up system to enable business safely, builds confidence – need to have a testing program in place.
Governor’s Press Release:
- Summer programs: The state plans to allow summer camps and other youth summer programs to operate in person—under new, strict regulations—starting June 29th. A full list of regulations and guidance will be available on reopeningRI.com next week.
- Libraries: During Phase 1, many Rhode Island libraries are offering curbside pickup of preordered library books. Services at local public libraries may vary. In Phase 2, many libraries will start offering limited, touchless browsing in designated areas of the library, while curbside pickup will continue. Some libraries will start offering limited access to public computers. All-in-library services will be provided in accordance with state regulations for social distancing, mask-wearing, and cleaning. More information is available on OLIS.ri.gov.