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Coronavirus Update – Today, April 24, 2020
(Photo: UV light used as part of disinfecting hospital rooms is used widely in Europe and Canada)
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
China donates additional $30 million to World Health Organization after Trump halts US funding
President has cautioned Georgia to slow down their opening.
National $484B relief package on the way
The NFL draft was held from coaches’ and players’ basements – 2021 was announced for Cleveland, and 2022, Las Vegas.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has suspended the state law that bans single-use plastic bags at places like grocery stores, citing the coronavirus epidemic.
Nearly 5,000 U.S. nursing homes have coronavirus cases, nearly 11,000 deaths
New York Times to stop printing Sunday travel section
ESPN’s Todd McShay reveals he has coronavirus, will miss NFL Draft
Gov. Cuomo calls the suggestion that states declare bankruptcy “one of the dumbest ideas of all time”.
Rep. Maxine Waters addressed Congress, talking about her sister who she said is dying of coronavirus
New research on “shelf life” of coronavirus – use of heat and light, ultraviolet.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Care New England reports $44M loss for March
RI Dept. of Health releases list of all nursing homes/assisted living centers with 2 or more cases of coronavirus and deaths
RI Governor Press Conference
Data – 4-23-2020
8 new deaths – 189 total deaths
412 new positive cases – 6,256 total positives
38,163 total negative cases
2,694 total tested, prior day
44,419 total tested
267 in hospital, 72 in ICU, 45 on ventilators, 342 hospital discharges
8 new deaths: 4 in 60s, 2 in 70s, 1 in 80s, 1 in 90s. 4 nursing home residents. Posting a table on dashboard of specific nursing homes.
Numbers are still climbing. Another 412 cases, more than yesterday, and another 8 deaths – we are stable, but haven’t turned the corner.
Rec’d $625M from federal govt. – waiting for guidance on how it can be spent. Reality is we need the funds. Public health, emergency response, safe path back to work, helping small businesses, job training, education economic development, government services, improve technology, investing in healthcare system. Committed to transparency. Two more stimulus bills in the works. We’ll know better in a month where we are.
Schools. Closed for rest of school year. Distance learning is not easy. Taking a toll on parents who might also be working from home. Children having a hard time not seeing their friends. Sports and activities are a loss. Younger children struggling, as well as those with differing abilities. Stressful for teachers. Given all this, RI is doing very well. Connecting homes to the internet has been a success. We will continue distance learning through rest of school year. RIDE will be issuing a calendar for balance of year.
More announcements coming about child care, summer programming. Be ready for September.
RIDE will work with Highlander Institute to expand distance learning help line for parents. 904-414-4927 Help Line – or go on: HighlanderInstitute.org.
Mental health needs for children – KidsLink 24/7 hotline for parents to call. 855-543-5465. Will all be covered by insurance.
Class of 2020 – Senior year, spring, prom, sports, spring flings, etc. – Governor says – you are stuck in your house for learning, everything is different. Traditional proms, and graduations not possible. Good news: creative solutions. Suggestions are coming. Partnering with RIPBS to commemorate graduating class of 2020.
FAFSA: students should complete this. 60% of class has already completed it – let’s finish it. Deadline: June 30th.
Kids press conference #2 set for Thurs, April 30th, 1pm – send in your questions to be read by the 1st Gentleman to the Governor: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSebN3b7fdFPKu5MmdXawyeG2Cj-Q7SngXzcdZY0Bn0o5B4Rug/viewform
Over 60: Strong reaction from Rhode Islanders had Governor explaining her comments from the day before. No specific details, but said, “You are going to be able to continue to go to work”. Says point was just to say this is different now. We have to do what we need to do to keep ourselves safe. Fact is older you are, with health issues, virus more dangerous. Want you to prepare yourselves with services in place – and employers to start thinking about older employees in the workplace. Just a way to say we want everyone to stay safe.
Ramadan: Passover, Easter we went through differently. Can’t get together. Need to obey social distancing – 5 or fewer.
Questions:
800 Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness will need care from covid-19 will we be ready – Gov. says yes.
Youth sports – interscholastic league, etc. Sports will be canceled.
Multi-lingual learning tools have been gathered and distance learning for some children with anxiety may be incorporated into regular school year.
Press briefings – another reporter questioned when can the format change, asking if it’s about safety or control. Governor replied that when the safety concerns change, she’ll “consider it”.
Signature requirement change for candidates running for office? Governor curtly replied, “I’ll consider it”.
What about the link between higher concentration of Latino/African American workforce in nursing homes, and the higher incidence in that community?
RI House GOP has called for critical reconvening – Gov. says she thinks that’s happening and looks forward to it.
Day cares/Summer camp – will consider this next decision in the coming weeks – there will be summer programming, it will look different – some will continue to be virtual.
Next focus will be child care and day care. Concern about grandparents taking care of children as parents go back to work. Asking employers to work with employees and be creative.
Over 60 guidance – how will employers not interpret advice as not to hire older workers? Discussing temperature checks, legal ramifications, not going to allow any discrimination in the workplace.
Southwestern RI – private campgrounds set to open May 1st. RIDEM will come up with a plan to reopen all open spaces. Decisions coming in a week. Regulations coming.
Governor’s Press Release:
• Distance learning: Today, the Governor announced that school buildings will remain closed and distance learning will continue through the end of the school year in June. • Helpline: Parents looking for support as their students engage with distance learning can access a new helpline through the Rhode Island Department of Education and Highlander Institute at 909-414-4927. More information can be found here [highlanderinstitute.org]. • Kids Press Conference: Next Thursday, April 30 at 1PM, Governor Raimondo will hold a second Kids Press Conference.