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Your Coronavirus Update – Today, May 21, 2020
Photo: Qatar Airlines – new protective suits on all flights
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlining recommendations for reopening restaurants, mass transit, schools and childcare programs across the United States amid the coronavirus pandemic. Review this here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/php/CDC-Activities-Initiatives-for-COVID-19-Response.pdf
Owners of more than 80 small businesses in southern Maine urged Gov. Janet Mills on Monday to keep the 14 day quarantine requirement, others think it would harm the state’s tourism season.
16 hospitals in New York will try a 2-week program of allowing visitors to patients sick with covid-19 – then it will analyze the results – visitors will be fully gowned and protected.
California will roll out guidelines on Memorial Day for TV, film and commercials to resume production
Coronavirus is spreading faster in Brazil than anywhere else on Earth. Doctors at a disease control center say there’s so little testing, the real number of cases could be 15 times higher.
Warning signs were ignored and nursing homes were unprepared to face a pandemic – outbreaks in nursing homes and long-term care facilities have killed more than 30,000 people, more than one-third of all coronavirus deaths in the country.
New covid19 cases worldwide jumped to the most in any single day, says WHO.
Oprah Winfrey is changing the way she is giving her money – sending checks to those who were integral in her past – encouraging people to give to those closest to our center of home.
EverlyWell self collection coronavirus test kit has been approved – you need a prescription for it – $109
The CDC is releasing research saying how difficult it is to “catch” the coronavirus from contaminated surfaces – several medical experts are upset that this will release people from taking precautions.
Two research studies – one at Emory University and one at Beth Israel Deaconess are producing treatments and vaccine capabilities that look promising.
Far UVC Light is being used to sterilize in all formats – including the subway systems of New York.
Two McDonalds have been sued by those getting coronavirus as workers.
Disney has attendees sign a release before going into park.
Qatar Airways airline stewards will be dressed head to toe in hazmat suits
New Zealand’s prime minister wants employers to consider switching to a four-day work week as a way to promote tourism, hard hit in the pandemic
A former White House butler, Wilson Roosevelt Jerman, who served 11 different presidents died at the age of 91 after contracting the coronavirus
Barbers gave free haircuts on the lawn of the Michigan State House, as a functional protest
The Oregon Supreme Court temporarily reinstated Gov. Kate Brown’s COVID-19 restrictions, just hours after a county judge ruled that her statewide order was “null and void.”
6 Chinese officials were let go after the 2nd resurgence of the virus, for failure to contain it
6.5 million viewers watched the first NASCAR race – with no spectators
Searchable, updated list of colleges around the US and their opening plans can be found, here (RI starts on page 26, but only 3 schools reporting so far) : https://bit.ly/2ZlB9Nl
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
NBC10 reports that 42% of nursing homes have NO coronavirus – leaving 58% that do and 78% of all deaths in RI to coronavirus were people living in nursing homes.
School districts across Rhode Island are struggling with how to stage this year’s high-school graduations: stuck between a strict reading of restrictions issued by the state, and Governor Raimondo’s urging superintendents to “get creative” and use common sense. Parents and administrators say it’s not that easy and conflicting messages have left them frustrated. Here’s Jim Hummel’s story for the ProJo: https://bit.ly/2WOU4ib
RIDEM is saying there is a severe shortage in new lifeguard applications for this summer season
The Honeywell plant in Smithfield that is making masks has a case of coronavirus
15,857 Rhode Island small businesses have been approved for PPP loans totaling $1,857,053,019.
Allie’s Donuts will reopen Friday
Providence Chamber selling “I’d rather be at work” t-shirts to benefit United Way & RI Foundation coronavirus relief funds
Foxwoods & Mohegan will open June 1st. Many restrictions. Check websites for details.
Colonial Bowling Center, Worcester, last candlepin bowling alley closes.
What’s Up Newport reports Third Beach in Middletown will be open on Memorial Day weekend, starting Saturday
Newport Secret Garden Tour set for June is postponed
Massachusetts Rep. Pressley critical of Gov. Baker plan to reopen “too quickly”
Boston University is still deciding how to open; Boston College will open in fall; Cape Cod College will open with online classes only
Pawtucket Hall of Fame canceled for 2020
Jordan’s Furniture has opened in Warwick
Johnson & Wales will forgo graduation this year – combined for 2021.
Johnson & Wales sends dark memo to staff saying they aren’t sure of their future, if to hold classes, etc.
Providence College memo to professors notes they need to see “what class of 2024 registrations look like’ before they nake final decisions.
Slater Park is open, attractions remain closed.
Gov. Raimondo participates as an expert in Milken Institute “How COVID-19 tests will help reopen America” – talks about testing, equity, opening up RI, schools, https://milkeninstitute.org/content/covid-19-conference-call-series#reopenamerica
Warwick parks begin to open – open now: City Park, Conimicut Point and Oakland Beach
Temple Beth-El will wait until July to open, according to Rabbi Sarah Mack
Governor talks about ramping up testing to the 10s of thousands – notes 20 colleges in state
ProJo sports writer, Bill Reynolds’ mother, dies of coronavirus at the age of 101
Connecticut ban on large gatherings and restrictions on off-track betting, indoor fitness studios and movie theaters until June 20 in an effort to curb the virus’s spread.
Ideas for an installation, activity, or project that will build support for safer streets may be eligible for PVD Streets mini-grants. More info, here: https://pvdstreets.org/2020/05/12/psc-2020-mini-grant-applications/
Data: May 20, 2020
6 Deaths. 2 in 80s, 4 in 90s. All 6 from assisted living/nursing homes
Crush Covid RI App: More than 10,000 downloads of the app have taken place.
Memorial Day: Monday. 2 State beaches will be open on Monday only. It’s symbolic. Very limited parking, no bathrooms, food, etc. Don’t congregate, don’t stay too long. Limit of 5 in your group. All state beaches are open now. Cookouts, etc. there is a limit of 5 people. This is not the weekend to “party”. We’ll see a spike in 2-3 weeks. We must get back to work, so we need to stay healthy.
Phase 2 Reopening update will come on Friday, set for early June.
No Governor’s press events on Sat, Sun or Monday. Monday will be a taped message. Exeter cemetery ceremony virtually and it will be televised. We have over 1,000 deployed National Guard here in Rhode Island.
Healthcare. If you need to get healthcare, go. Immunizations. Treatments. Don’t be afraid to go. 30-40% decline in child immunization. Please call and check up on that. RI will continue to strengthen our healthcare system. We will invest in all our healthcare hospitals. Also for nursing homes, pediatricians, primary care. Telemedicine is really going well and this has a strong future.
Churches. May 30th places of worship will open. Significant capacity restrictions – 25% maximum. Some churches will only do 5, 10, or 20 people. Many other restrictions. Mask wearing, no physical contact, 6 feet between people, proper cleaning, etc. Do not attend if you are ill. Do not go if you are a senior, frail or have an underlying medical condition.
Town Hall – 11am Facebook Live for Older Rhode Islanders. Lots of questions. We need to hear from you.
Questions:
Communion – there will be communion, no cup. Weddings and funerals in a house of worship can take place, but with same rules – 25%. Governor will go to church on Sunday. Massachusetts if 40% capacity. Judgement call. Large churches such as Providence cathedral hold 1,000 people – so that is 250 people in one place. Governor said she is putting her trust and faith in worship locations to take charge and be safe.
RI state border checkpoints have been disbanded. Needed National Guard to do contact tracing more importantly. Numbers were negligible. Only a couple of cars a day. Phase 2 – more relaxed limits around travel.
No financial help from state for churches.
Performing arts – dance classes, theater, etc. June 29th and afterward classes should follow summer camp guidelines. More to say after that on performances.
Restaurant coalition wants June 1st opening. How does a/c and wind impact the virus. If you are inside with poor ventilation or lack of natural airflow, it is more likely that virus will hang around. Science is showing being outside is better for control of the virus.
Long term care deaths – most individuals who died had underlying illness or quite older. 6 were assisted living or nursing home facility.