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Your Coronavirus Update – Today – June 11, 2020
Photo: Reflects signs of the times… an imperfect rainbow…
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Eighteen states are seeing an increase in Covid case counts, including sharp increases in Arizona, Florida and Texas, according to Covid Exit Strategy. Hospitalizations have been rising rapidly in at least nine states since Memorial Day. The country is rapidly approaching 2 million cases. However, some states, such as New Jersey, are seeing decreases, regardless of their big weekends celebrations – notably beach weather was left than perfect on the East Coast Memorial Day weekend.
The infection rate in the Navajo Nation, home to about 174,000 people across Arizona, Utah and New Mexico, is higher than in New York.
In North Carolina, which is reporting its highest-ever levels of new infections and hospitalizations, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said reimposing restrictions would be a last resort. Just one state, Utah, has paused the next phase in its reopening plan amid a two-week spike in new cases.
There’s been a line of hotspots popping up from Southern Arizona to Southern California. Some of that activity could be due to Californians, who were under a more extreme lockdown, traveling to Arizona to do things — like visit a hair stylist — that they may not have been allowed to do in their own state.
Cause and effect of lessening restrictions and outbreaks is still undefined as individual cases can’t be directly linked. For instance, Northern California is faring better than Southern California, even as both live under the same statewide restrictions.
About 5,000 to 6,000 Americans are expected to die every week from Covid from now until July 4, said Nicholas Reich, a professor of biostatistics and epidemiology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
WHO is warning the pandemic is far from over. Also saying 44% of spread seen from people with infections, spreading the virus with no symptoms.
Dr. Fauci, commenting on the WHO statements said, “the pandemic is only just beginning”.
A nationwide hodgepodge has U.S. states struggling to take advantage of what sounded like promising digital tools such as apps to determine who has been exposed to thecoronavirus.
NASDAQ closed with a record high.
Zara, a major fashion retailer, said it is permanently closing as many as 1,200 smaller-sized stores while opening 450 new ones “fitted with all the latest sales integration technology”
Testing is being urged now nationally for those who attended protests.
Some research: virus is shortened in hot and humid environments. Early new research that remdesivir given early to victims can help avoid long term lung issues.
North Carolina breaks another record for most reported COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Starbucks announces it will close 400 stores nationally.
Jareds/Zales will not reopen 150 locations in North America and 80 in Britain.
Reopened Macy’s stores reporting sales better than expectations
Restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border were loosened as of June 8 to allow direct family members to be reunited
New England Revolution will be back early July.
These are the 10 jobs most declined:
- Uber/Lyft driver (-91%)
- Flight attendant (-90%)
- Car washer (-87%)
- Tour guide (-85%)
- Retail store associate (-84%)
- Event/conference planner (-82%)
- Hotel staff (-82%)
- Office manager (-81%)
- Chef (-80%)
- Catering assistant (-80%)
Several BCBS insurers and CVS Aetna are pushing back about coverage for asymptomatic testing – https://bit.ly/30szSEQ
82% of workers said they would work part time, from home – 19% said they would work part time, from home, forever. Estimated $11K savings to work from home, to the company.
Savannah, GA will pay qualified at-home tech workers $2K to move to Savannah – you can work anywhere in the world.
Daily cleanings have left NYC subway trains shiny and smelling of lemons.
School food directors across the country are preparing for an uncertain year as their trade association calls for the Agriculture Department to consider giving all schools the option to provide free meals to all students.
After three months of near total blackout of cinemas nationwide, AMC movie theaters are preparing to reopen — even if it means only a few titles on the marquee and showings limited to as little as 25% capacity.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
The Boston Public Health Commission posted Tuesday that protesters may have been exposed to COVID-19, and it’s recommending that people who attended the rallies get tested even if they don’t have symptoms of the virus.
Four Seasons Hotel in Boston lays off 50% of its staff.
Mayor Walsh announced increased outdoor seating available for restaurants.
RI state lawmakers are set to return to the State House next week to desks surrounded on three sides by plexiglass.
In RI: “Over 1,000 employees have signed up but I will not have final numbers for the WorkShare program until the end of the week.”
Trinity Rep will shift the schedule of the previously announced 2020-21 Season. The subscription series lineup is now currently slated to begin in January 2021. We still plan to mount our 43rd consecutive new production of A Christmas Carol in November and December 2020.
Rep. Lyle, R-Lincoln, read aloud a sentence in a “COVID-19 staff screening tool for nursing homes” that suggested, to him, that nursing home staffers who have tested positive have been allowed to work. He called these homes “killing fields.” The sentence: “’Asymptomatic staff members may continue to work while wearing a mask if their absence would cause a staffing hardship.’ That’s frightening,’’ he said.
Plimouth Plantation in MA is reopening.
Citing “turbulent times” ,“Changing Gears” Co-Hosts Announce End to WPRO Talk Radio Show
URI’s W. Alton Jones Campus has announced it will be closed all summer with no summer camps or other camp programs due to the financial strain to open with pandemic guidelines.
Connecticut campgrounds have reopened.
The 22ND ANNUAL Pawtucket Arts Festival is announced for Sept. 4-13 in Pawtucket
Environmental Education Center camps at the W. Alton Jones Campus of the University of Rhode Island will not operate this summer
Massachusetts is not able to provide updated information on fatalities or cases of nursing home staff.
Bryant & Smithfield cancel fireworks, and concert
$358 million received in RI in federal money not yet spent in Rhode Island
RI Data
66 new cases – 4 Deaths – 2 in 80s, 2 in 90s.
RI Department of Corrections Data on Testing Results 6/8/2020:
RI Governor’s address:
Governor and her husband were tested today – Gov. said she tested negative.
Schools: We will be working all summer to make sure schools are safe for everyone. Statewide calendar will be released today. First day of school will be August 31st. School will look different. A lot more cleaning. Kids desks further apart. Staggered start times. Fewer kids on a bus – more buses. Mask wearing for some. No one in school sick. Can’t send our kids to school with just a sniffle. So distance learning will continue to be relied on. This virus is not kind for those in their 50s and 60s, and “we have to be mindful of that”. Each district will submit plan of full attendance, hybrid, and if we have to go back to full virtual learning. By June 19th, state will put out guidance for schools on minimum safety requirements that have to be met. Plans need to be in by July 17th. All of this will cost more money. $42 Million from Cares Act to schools – and more if needed. Safety is paramount. No more snow days or professional development days off. Schools can also add extra days if they want. Flexibility is the name of the game.
Lincoln, RI Supt. said there will be no way, logistically or financially, to double your transportation fleet or drivers to only have 12 students on a bus – kids arriving between 8am and 1pm.
Monday, June 15th, 7pm, special celebration on RIPBS – Your Year 2020 – exciting guests, surprises – Viola Davis to deliver keynote, Patriots shout outs, musical features, etc. Then we will have a United For Grads performance, produced by United Theater in Westerly. TY to RIPBS and Westerly Theatre.
Food Security: 1st time ever, SNAP can now buy groceries online on Amazon or Walmart stores. This will help older people who are afraid to go to the grocery store, so it can be delivered. Emergency payment for RI Works families – DHS website.
COX gifts for 3 teachers – $1,000 each
Our biggest challenge will be embracing change.
Questions:
Response to Speaker Mattiello suggesting we move to phase 3 quicker – Gov. Said she doesn’t support that.
Opening up bar areas – not in phase 2. Phase 3, early July, we will move to that.
Challenge with special ed – looking at cross sectors with private schools, agencies, where we need more support.
Race & Equity Summit coming up soon for teaching in schools.
Teachers immunocompromised or older – we are going to work with individual cases as they come up. At some point we are going to have a hybrid model. We are going to have to take extra precautions to protect our special people.
Techs and assistants can’t collect unemployment this summer? Eligibility will be looked into.
Private sector & charter school overlap: Hopeful they will adopt same calendar. They will have to follow same requirements as public schools.