Coronavirus Update for RI – March 22, 2020

INTERNATIONAL

Worldwide, there are now more than 307,000 confirmed cases – 13,000 died

Italy – 53,000 – epicenter – more than 800 died in one day

WHO partners with WhatsApp for health alert messaging service

The United Nations says consequences of the coronavirus could be devastating for the 100 million people living in war zones and other emergency settings.

Mother’s Day in England – advice is “do not visit your mother today”

Wuhan to allow some businesses to re-open

Vietnam closes to inbound flights

China gives first COVID-19 vaccine to volunteers

Iran turning buildings, shopping mall, into makeshift hospitals. Khomeini telling people that this could be a US creation, and we should not let in American researchers.

Jordan has a curfew with arrests for breaking it.

WHO: Quick testing, isolation of people who test positive works, all countries need to follow same advice, try to turn the tide. Singapore, So. Korea, China now doing the best.

WHO: Trying to limit misinformation on social media – working with platforms to deliver accurate information – Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, What’sApp, etc.

WHO: Different models for how long this will last – course will be determined by what we do now.

Spain setting up cots for 1,000 homeless – and using closed hotels for makeshift hospitals; buses for ambulances

Spain & Italy closing down all non-essential businesses, factories

Cannes Festival opening auditorium to homeless

China has said the vaccine must be government produced and not in a for-profit company, opposing the US’s private industry efforts

NATIONAL

26,000 cases – 320 deaths in US

Testing: Only hospitalized patients will be tested in high outbreak areas of Washington, NYC and California

Rapid Testing will be ramping up for the future in other states

New Jersey issues Shelter in Place order – making 5 states closing down (NJ, New York, California, Washington)

New York – most cases in people under 50

Apple is donating 2 million masks

Hawaii is shut down from anyone flying in.

Mar A Lago closes

Dozens of local newsrooms began laying people off this week out of fear that the economic hit of the coronavirus could severely impact their ad revenue,

Local and national news outlets are beginning to drop their paywalls.

Prisons are beginning to test positive in small numbers – NYC, Brooklyn, Rikers,

Fire Departments are setting up designated “virus units” to respond to calls in hotspot areas in California

PepsiCo will provide enhanced benefits to all U.S.-based employees (including 100% pay during a 14-day quarantine) and additional compensation to U.S. frontline employees “who make, move and sell products.”

Target will give a $2-an-hour wage increase to its 300,000-plus workers.

New York may use the Jacob Javits Center for setting up medical beds – FEMA looking for other locations

Companies are experimenting with sterilizing and of masks using UV light

Vice President Pence’s staff member tests positive – both the VP and his wife have tested negative

Walmart, 7-11, and other large retail companies looking for hundreds of thousands of workers

President’s Press Conference

Praised bipartisanship in the country

Canadian & Mexican transportation agreements reached, closing borders, while continuing trade associations

Small Business conference call to strategize to do everything to support them

Other conference calls with airlines, cruise ships, Business Round Table, hospitals, physicians, nurses groups, religious leaders

Paid sick leave, medical leave bills signed

Student loans – waiving interest for 60 days, and hoping to extend for 90 days

Hanes Co. and other textile companies retrofitting to produce masks

FDA “moving mountains” for special approvals on drugs, treatment

Alcohol production facilities, distillaries, now making sanitizers

Stay home and save lives needs to be the message

Widespread infection, but at major epicenters in US – California. New York City. Washington state.

Difficulty with mortgage – people should contact companies. Govt is asking for forbearance and moratorium on foreclosures and will pay for those.

RHODE ISLAND

Rep. Sabina Matos is self-quarantining after a relative tests positive and is in the hospital.

Block Island has no cases of virus and some residents wants to lock in the island with no visitors. There have been efforts to take down the power system so visitors will not come.

Providence’s Industrial Spirits Company and South Kingston-based Sons of Liberty have both begun to distill and distribute alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Wakefield Books has closed until further notice.

More hotels shut down: Omni Providence, Gurney’s in Newport and Castle Hill Inn, Malbone House also closed.

Colleges will be giving housing credits – Salve Regina, Bryant, Brown, RISD and Johnson & Wales have announced efforts – Boston colleges are also stepping forward.

Bradford Soap Works to donate 70,000 bars of soap

Seven Stars Bakery Donates 400 Loaves of Bread to the Leon Mathieu Senior Center in Pawtucket. From there, distributions were made to senior residents across Pawtucket and Central Falls.

Governor’s Press Conference

DATA: 12 new cases – total now 66; 8 males, 4 females. Ages 20-70. Their travel was all domestic to Boston and New York – 3 hospitalized, in stable condition. While we have had no deaths, we should prepare for that.

MA man died in his 80s in MA hospital

Price gouging – contact RISP and AG office

Signed bill allowing beer, wine with take-out (not delivered)

Gun permits – extending permit time from 7 to 30 days

Health insurance – Health Exchange has special enrollment until 4/15 – Laid off – you can buy insurance for up to 60 days

Houses of worship should remain closed

This weekend really matters – next week really matters

Companies are donating supplies – please use online form. Website: bit.ly/covid19-msd

Smokers: we know that covid19 has more adverse effects for vapers and smokers, including marijuana smokers. 800-QUITNOW

Working on expanding testing & close to having what RI needs

Undocumented RIslanders – always call 211 at United Way. Trying to raise money – also can call RI DHS.

Evictions: if you have a pre-existing order, it stands, though courts are closed; if it is a new order, that cannot happen.

Tourism: 100 cruise ships coming to Newport – we will create restrictions on that

Travel into Rhode Island – you must quarantine for 14 days

No groups larger than 10, and 6 feet apart. Police will ask you to disperse.

# of people in hospitals, less than 5 – all in stable condition. Hospitals are preparing, closing coordinating for surge of patients.

Board of elections voted to delay the primary – final decision coming

Playgrounds and parks – doesn’t want to shut them do – abide by group rules

May close hair/nail salons…not decided yet on statewide closure

Wants to do 600 tests a day – find those who are positive and have them in quarantine