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Coronavirus Update – Today, April 15, 2020
(Guided Meditation? Now might be the time to find out what it is – see bottom of article from our media partners at PsychHub)
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Most Americans will see their $1,200 CARES ACT federal checks automatically deposited in their accounts today – if not, go to https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/#/fd/EconomicImpactPayment and see if you need to complete the form.
India extended until May 3 a nationwide lockdown for its 1.3 billion people as the number of coronavirus cases crossed 10,000 despite a three-week shutdown.
Maine’s Statehood Day Ceremony, originally scheduled for March 15, will now take place on Sunday, Sept. 27. And the Maine Bicentennial Parade has been pushed back to Aug. 15.
Security issues continue over use of ZOOM – where ½ million passwords were sold, complete with address, etc. data on the dark web & concerns about students using the platform risk hacking.
First case of coronavirus contagion from a dead body reported
Senior British Open put on hold
Tour de France on hold
Colorado has made online sales of recreational marijuana legal during the coronavirus pandemic
New York now says it has 7 companies making face shields and they are all set with supplies.
South Korea to ship 750,000 coronavirus test kits to the U.S.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday revealed a framework to eventually get the state back to work including temporarily “redrawing our floor plans” in schools and businesses to allow for greater physical distancing. Restaurants may have half their seats removed, spacing between seats, disposable menus, waitstaff will be wearing gloves and masks, etc.
HIV co-discoverer cautions that immunity from COVID-19 antibodies isn’t certain
Fauci: ‘We are seeing some light at the end of the tunnel’.
National at Harvard School of Public Health believe social distancing could go on for two more years without a vaccine developed – next outbreak will be winter – each quarantine time will last months to control
Nebraska retail center plans to reopen next week with a soft opening, followed by a grand opening first week of May, to be ‘1st shopping center back’
Thousands of MLB players/families to participate in coronavirus study looking for COVID-19 antibodies among club employees and their relatives.
Private labs across the country have reported a decline in the number of tests being performed and their backlog is clear.
3 California heads of churches have sued the Governor over their right to open and conduct services
President’s Press Conference
Major airlines have reached agreement to support worker payments
Working with hospital systems, US will create the Dynamic Ventilator Reserve Program, a hospital based system of exchange based upon need.
President will speak to each Governor about a plan to open their states, and what they need in their states – ventilators, beds, testing equipment, etc.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
CVS Charity Classic has been canceled
7-8am, people over 60 and first responders will be able to pick up groceries at Walmart
44 veterans have died at Massachusetts nursing home, 100 test positive
Massachusetts death toll rose by 113 cases to 957, up from 844 the day before, and the number of confirmed cases climbed by 1,296 to 28,163. The Department of Public Health also reported a total of 126,551 people in the state had been tested, up from 122,049 a day earlier.
Massachusetts National Guard Soldiers and Airman have 12 teams that have done mobile testing in nursing homes, having completed 3,000 swab tests since 3/31. Each team visits 3 or 4 locations a day, doing 300 tests per day.
Holiday Inn in Taunton will serve as housing for homeless during coronavirus concerns
RI is doing ongoing work with nursing homes with problems to determine what has happened. Haven’t seen one home doing anything very different that has led to the outbreaks.
Tracking: GOP concerns & Gov. acknowledges they are valid concerns. We have to be careful to meet the needs of public health crisis balanced with civil rights issues, and privacy and data concerns. This will always be “opt in”, Gov. says.
RI Governor’s Press Conference:
Data:
7 deaths, 80 deaths total; 275 new cases, 3,251 total; 213 in hospital
Of the 7 deaths: 2 in their 60s; 2 in their 70s; 3 in their 80s.
Of these 7, 3 were nursing home residents; 1 fatality, a 70 y.o., was from a residential home for differing abilities (2nd fatality at that facility)
Decrease in # of cases more due to holiday and weather
Mask recommendation: we should all wear them outside of the home, at all times. Executive order – starting this Saturday – all customer-facing employees must wear cloth face coverings when they are at work. Employers must provide them. Companies must provide “educational reminders” to their customers. DBR will be doing unannounced spot checks. Mask must cover nose and mouth. All must take steps to remind customers to wear a face-covering inside (it was unclear if those not complying would be asked to leave)
Contact Tracing: 2,800 people have been in close contact – about 2-400 contacts a day. RI is ahead of many other states. Technology, such as a phone app, would allow “positives” to be surveyed several times a day to check on their symptoms and make sure they are abiding by rules of isolation. Currently done manually, now. Keep your journals, Gov. reminds.
“[The] new normal…[is] how we screen people entering business…using touchless technologies”
Eviction notices – courts are closed; no actions until after 5/17
RI PUC – all regulated utilities can’t be shut off through 5/8. Please pay your bills if you are in a position to do so.
Tax deadline extended to July 15th – but if you can pay, please do.
Health insurance – contact HealthSourceRI – you can purchase or get onto Medicaid there. Extending enrollment through 4/30.
Do not go to the doctor or the hospital without calling. Doctors are saying that a sizeable group of people who show up without calling do not speak English, so we need to do better to get the message out.
People can also go to respiratory clinics in RI – you need to call ahead of time – there are 20 clinics throughout RI. List on the help.ri.gov – click on covid19 banner and then click testing.
NE Governors Group – just to coordinate approaches to reopening
RI is coordinating with community health centers and HEZ
2-3,000 tests a day is a good amount – Gov. feels state is on target now
Goldman Sachs – program – that is depleted – state is looking for more options. Thinks SBA will expand soon.
Wiley Center -Gov. will look into restoration of utilities without down payment.
PPE shipments mentioned in prior press conference have not yet all arrived
FEMA is expanding mask sterilization of masks. While we don’t have 30 days supply on hand, we’re in ok shape.
Comment on President’s decision to control reopening of state – governor says it will be a coordinated decision on all parts.
Current goal of testing in RI – doing well, but have to reach out to hard to reach populations and nursing homes with mobile testing. Needs help with continuous supply of “re-agents” that are used in equipment.
Question on banning hydroxychloroquine in RI – Wants it to be available in appropriate situations where it is needed – and reserved for FDA approved uses so they don’t run out.
Press Release:
Face coverings: The Governor signed an executive order clarifying the state’s directives around cloth face coverings. Beginning Saturday:
- All employees of customer-facing businesses, office-based businesses, manufacturers and nonprofits, must wear cloth face coverings when they are at work.
- Business must provide face coverings for their employees. Face coverings can include scarves, bandanas, and other homemade and non-factory-made masks.
- Additionally, all customer-facing businesses must take steps to remind customers to wear face coverings. That means they should be putting up signs at the door reminding customers to wear a face covering inside.
- The only exceptions from these rules are for anyone whose health would be in jeopardy because of wearing a face covering or any children under 2 years old.
- Health insurance: The Governor announced that HealthSourceRI is extending their special open enrollment period through April 30. Rhode Islanders looking to purchase coverage should visit www.healthsourceri.com.
COVID-19 Data Update
Dr. Alexander-Scott announced today that Rhode Island has 275 new cases of COVID-19. This brings Rhode Island’s count to 3,251. RIDOH also announced seven additional COVID-19 associated fatalities. Of these people, two were in their 60s, two were in their 70s, and three were in their 80s. Of these seven people, three people were residents at nursing homes and one person was a resident at a group home. Rhode Island’s number of COVID-19 associated fatalities is now 80. A full data summary for Rhode Island is posted online.
A moment of joy – RINewsToday partners with PsychHub to bring you mental health related information – here is their Guided Meditation video: