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Coronavirus Update – Today – March 18, 2020

INTERNATIONAL

Louis Viton turning manufacturing to hand sanitizer to address shortage

Australian supermarkets open early to allow elderly to shop and buy supplies

Spain turning back cars at their borders.

Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue closes

U.K. advises against all non-essential international travel for 30 days

Contestants on Germany’s ‘Big Brother’ to be told about coronavirus pandemic

European Union – sweeping 30-day ban on most non-essential travel into the 27-country bloc

International Olympic Committee ‘remains fully committed to the Olympic Games’ to start in late July

The Chinese government will revoke press credentials for American journalists who work for the N.Y. Times, WashPost and Wall Street Journal

NATIONAL

SATs – makeup date for March canceled. May date canceled

All Nevada’s casinos ordered to close

Gun sales are up with 2.3Million background check requests – up 36%

Beverly Hills’ iconic Rodeo Drive closed to shoppers

West Virginia, the last state with no virus cases, has had their first

Brooklyn Nets say 4 players tested positive

Midway Airport tower in Chicago closed after employees test positive for coronavirus

Several NETS players test positive

Nordstrom closes all stores

Al Roker does the weather forecast — from home

Employee at Sing Sing prison tests positive

Florida governor refuses to shut down beaches amid spread of coronavirus

Gun and ammunition sales rise amid coronavirus fears

Philadelphia police to stop arresting certain non-violent offenders

Military aid may be called in to help NYC

Carney Hospital in Dorcester, MA – is the 1st dedicated hospital in US

Presidential briefing:

         Reschedule routine doctor/dentist office

         Looking for immediate financial relief for all Americans

         IRS to defer for 90 days for $1M personal income; $10M companies

         Calling on local contractors to donate N95 masks to local hospitals & to stop ordering them for now

         People w/travel plans – don’t take them – enjoy your living room

         Millennials urged not to go out to bars at night

         Fast Food restaurants – asking them to keep drive thrus open

         Telemedicine to be made more accessible, and free

Dem race could be frozen in place after Tuesday’s primaries

Kentucky Derby to be postponed until September

New York City – 814 in NYC; Considering shelter in place. Nothing like this since 1918 epidemic combined with Great Depression. Need direct income support for thousands who will be left with absolutely no money – support on a vast scale – can only come from the federal govt.

Dierks Bentley donates $90K to employees after closing Nashville bar

UBER ends its Pool service, allowing riders to share a car

France – country is on lockdown – you have to stay inside, you can walk your dog, take a walk – but you have to be alone. Have to download a permission ship to do otherwise.

Staffing firms sees ‘unprecedented’ demand for nurses

Ohio polls will remain closed amid ’emergency,’ governor says

Dental Association wants 3-week delay on elective procedures

Los Angeles sheriff releasing inmates, urging fewer arrests

New York Stock Exchange members are being screened for temperature as they enter

Amazon limits warehouse service to household staples and medical supplies – high-demand goods include baby products, health and household items, beauty and personal care products, groceries, industrial items and pet supplies.

California governor halts evictions and foreclosures

New York Times staffer tests positive and is at home recovering

San Francisco – 7 million people sheltering in place

Macy’s – closes all stores across US

Dow closes up 1,000 points on news of $1trillion stimulus

Las Vegas Sands Casino closes, will continue to pay workers, no layoffs, and donated $250K to community *

Hoboken, New Jersey – Mayor asked all citizens to self-isolate

MASH units may be used to set up mobile hospital units

RHODE ISLAND AND VICINITY

Stats: 200 cases in Massachusetts; 68 in Connecticut; 23 in Rhode Island

RIPTA – Bus passes extended for one month. Ticket counter closed

All Libraries closed per RI Office of Library & Information Services

Gun sales are up in RI with long lines, especially due to in-person limits

Pawtucket Senior Center closed; seniors lunch pickup 11am to 1pm

Stop & Shop – starts senior shopping hours today – 6am to 7:30am

Pawtucket: Probate and municipal court hearings postponed through March 29th, unless a judge determines there to be an emergency situation requiring a hearing

Pawtucket – Free Grab & Go Breakfast & Lunch – 11am to 1pm: Jenks – Goff – Slater – Tolman – Shea – Fallon – Curtis – Baldwin

Pawtucket Animal Shelter and Daggett Farm both located in Slater Park closed.

Grab & Go Palms possible for Palm Sunday

RI EZPass office at bridge is closed

RIDEM – do not flush wipes down the toilet

City of Pawtucket recruiting volunteers for when help is needed for community members. For more info email  [email protected] or phone 401-616-2241

The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission adopted the emergency order on Monday that covers all electric, natural gas, water and sewer utilities that are regulated by the state. Until March 31st.

Foxwoods & Mohegan closed

First hour of shopping at Dollar General for seniors only.

Trinity Rep cancels remainder of performance calendar

Coastal Medical – utilizing patient portal, telemedicine and on phone servicing of patients

Jordan Furniture closing

Dave’s Market cutting back on hours – closing olive bars

RI Primary Election date has moved to June 2

Governor’s Press Conference

         2 new cases – 1 man in his 50s w/extensive travel to Germany, UK; 1 woman in her 40s, no origin? – both at home – 1 person still in hospital

         23 positives; 430 negative; 3000 self-quarantining

         RI Foundation has raised $1.5M to help nonprofits support the most vulnerable

         Office 365 provided free to all RI employers for 6 mos to support working from home; provided nationally if already a customer

         Working on $2M or more of small biz loans

         Announcement tomorrow of future for K-12 schools

         Dentists – suspend non-essential treatments for 21 days

         Funerals/Wakes – curtail to less than 25 people attending, don’t go if ill – suggests using live-stream for services

         911 – don’t call unless a true emergency

         2020 Census is here – take it – data collected determines how much federal support we get for cases like this

         Pharmacies – keep pharmacists safe, and drive ups open

         Warwick – extended by 30 days city taxes and utilities

GOOD NEWS

Play of the Day – have your kids tape some sports stunts and send them in to Ch. 10 – go on their website for info

Rhode Island is being listed as one of the states with the best response to the virus by Wallet Hub

Use of the Emergency Broadcast System – use it, Rhode Island! Maybe the kids will listen.

MLB – 30 teams are committing $1 million each to help pay their ballpark employees who will lose pay by the virus pandemic. More support will be announced soon.

Las Vegas Sands Casino closes, will continue to pay workers, no layoffs, and donated $250K to community

The Diocese of Providence is distributing Stop & Shop gift cards to those in need on March 18th. Locations are for $25-50. Contact West Warwick Office (401-823-6211); Woonsocket Office (401-762-2849); Wakefield Office (401-783-3149).

Tom Hanks provides update from home: ‘No fever but the blahs’

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