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Coronavirus Update – Today, May 1, 2020
(Photo: Big Blue Bug doing his part to promote wearing masks)
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Federal social distancing guidelines expired last night.
Hawaii florists allowed to open on May 1, Lei Day
Armed protestors stormed Michigan capital as legislators debated the Governor’s powers – while counter protests to stay-at-home are planned for today
Texas beaches open – Orange Co. California beaches close
Arizona, Illinois, Maine, Nevada, and Washington extend stay at hone orders
No state has met the 14-day decline protocol of the federal government to enter phase 1
A new vaccine, Astra Zeneca, is rushing to a vaccine trial.
Thousands of cruise ship crew members remain out at sea amid clash over CDC’s rules
President Trump says he has seen evidence that virus originated in Wuhan lab
Coronavirus could make the iconic department store a relic of the past, as buying habits have undergone a staying change
US Government orders 100,000 body bags for stockpile for states in need
Concern over keeping babies safe has increased, with masks only recommended for children over the age of 2 – draping a blanket loosely over strollers and when out in public is recommended for children under 2, but no masks out of concern of suffocation hazard.
In Colorado a 6th employee at a meat packing plant has died.
Remote learning is ending at-home this Friday in some states out of concern for parents who are working at home, caring for small children, and being teachers – Washington, DC, Georgia, and Texas will end on Friday.
In many rural states, parents drive to a parking lot to pick up a mobile hotspot for their kids to work online.
Online school stress is prompting advisors to recommend relieving stress by enjoying your children, take a walk, build a fort – realize that this is a temporary time in their lives and they will catch up.
Brazil‘s surge in coronavirus cases, and its open borders, alarms neighboring countries
North Dakota will re-open restaurants, salons, gyms, recreational facilities
Texas restaurants open tomorrow – 25% capacity, tables 6 ft. apart, waitstaff wearing masks, continuous cleaning
Maine begins opening, requiring face masks. Several restaurants plan to open, even though they have not received approval to do so.
British Airways to cut one-quarter of its pilots
VP Pence wears mask during visit to Indiana plant following criticism
Texas zoo launches drive-thru experience
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin tests positive for the virus
The World Health Organization is “urgently” investigating a potential link between the coronavirus and Kawasaki syndrome, an illness of unknown cause that primarily affects children under 5.
Churches, museums and playgrounds to reopen as Germany eases lockdown measures
Utah pledges free masks for every resident
Alabama will open retail stores at 50% capacity, beaches to open with 10 people per group, elective medical procedures to restart
New Jersey – golf courses and state parks will reopen Saturday
Walt Disney World in Florida could reopen within weeks under guidelines recommended in that state. Disneyland in California may not reopen for months under the state’s more conservative plan. Disney’s overseas parks also may take more time to reopen
South Korea reports no new local cases for first time since outbreak began
The Maine Lobster Festival has been canceled.
New Jersey drivers want to have tolls suspended at this crisis time.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will reopen in fall, with distancing precautions
Italy to open 2 of its airports
Lyft laid off 17% of its workforce. Uber and Lyft have seen their businesses nearly collapse.
The NYC Subway system will be closed down over night, due to crowds of people, particularly the homeless population.
Little League World Series canceled.
Cambridge, MA based Moderna partners with Swiss firm Lonza to produce potential coronavirus vaccine – with a goal of 1B doses annually.
An adjustment in how cases of coronavirus are counted, including a review of death certificates from March 1st forward, and deaths with unconfirmed lab tests across the US may drastically alter the numbers of the pandemic, from what is being reported now.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Developing: Special task force formed of RI legislators to plan how the state will spend its federal funds of CARES Act, yet governor says she will have the final word on how it will be spent. Task Force will meet next week.
New hotline for Central Falls & Pawtucket goes live today – 855-843-7620 – in multiple languages. CF infection rate twice that seen in other cities in RI. Dexter Street walk up for testing as well as the one at Memorial are open.
23 employees at a Worcester Walmart test positive – store closes
Governor of Massachusetts has formed a re-opening advisory board and are meeting with various groups in a “listening tour” across the state.
Bryant University announces it will open this fall – with students returning to dorm life when it is safe to do so but classes will be run on their campus facility.
Boston: More cities are requiring residents and visitors to wear face masks or other facial covering when in public – or risk a $300 fine. Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera said a new order mandating the use of facial coverings took effect Wednesday. Lawrence joins Cambridge and Somerville in mandating the use of facial coverings in public spaces.
RI Lottery putting a plan together to open the casinos.
Golfers are asking Massachusetts Governor to reopen their golf courses, with social distancing guidelines in place.
The Alliance for Aviation Across America confirmed that the CARES stimulus package will provide “$100 million is designated for general aviation airports.” Intended for Rhode Island: Block Island – $1,069,162; Newport – $30,000; Quonset – $69,000; North Central – $30,000; TF Green – $21,746,229; Westerly – $1,072,803.
Rhode Island’s Crisis Standards of Care was released – the document is not expected to see any use during the current pandemic. It is a go-to guide for a complete overwhelming of resources regionally, and how care decisions would be made, based on patient viability scores. Here is a link to the document:
https://health.ri.gov/publications/guidelines/crisis-standards-of-care.pdf
Governor’s Public Event Yesterday
Governor Raimondo said in her Thursday address that summer camps would be limited to probably under 15, may incorporate virtual, and have new rules. No big groups. Still working on making this happen.
When we have a vaccine that is widely available and everyone can have access to it, “all this will end” – about one year away. But it will get a little bit better soon. For a year we will be living with some version of these restrictions.
Rhode Island Data – 4-30-2020
The data below reflects an updated reporting system. This is day #61 since data was collected. And there will be a new transitioned data system presented in the next few days.
15 new deaths – 266 total deaths
374 new positive cases – 8,621 total positives
55,089 total negative cases
3,545 total tested, prior day
63,710 total tested
339 in hospital, 85 in ICU, 54 on ventilators, 461 hospital discharges
No age range was given for this day’s data.
Providence Slow Streets is set to launch on Saturday May 2, with over a dozen miles of low traffic, reduced speed roadways in select neighborhoods across the city.Providence announces parks that will open, and streets that will be one way except for local travel and emergency vehicles – effective Saturday.
Parks –
- Blackstone Park
- Dexter Training Grounds
- Donigian Park
- Gano Street Park
- India Point Park
- Neutaconkanut Park
- Riverside Park
- Roger Williams Park
- Wanskuck Park
Streets –
- Oxford and Ontario streets (between Elmwood Avenue and Eddy Street)
- Vermont and Farragut avenues (between FC Greene Memorial Boulevard and Michigan Avenue)
- Waverly and Peace streets (between Union and Elmwood avenues)
- Elmdale Avenue, What Cheer Avenue and Moorefield Street (between Plainfield and Whitehall streets)
- Leah and Roanoke streets (between Atwells and Academy avenues)
- Brown and Camp streets (between Meeting Street and Stenton Avenue)
- Federal and Ring streets (between Tobey and Dean streets)
- Governor Street (between Wickenden and Angell streets)
- Amherst Street (between Erastus and Bowdoin streets)
- Pleasant Valley Parkway and Nelson Street (between Rosebank Avenue and Walton Street)
- Parade Street (between Chapin Avenue and Westminster Street)
- Eastwood Street (between Merino and Heath streets)
- Camden Street (between Douglas and Chalkstone avenues)
- Roger Williams Park Loop Road (FC Greene Memorial Boulevard, Maple Avenue, and Cladrash’s Avenue)
A 10-mph speed limit will be posted at these locations.
Paolino Properties has invested in a state-of-the-art, ultraviolet air purification system for use in its flagship building at 100 Westminster Street, as well as the adjoining boutique hotel The Beatrice, which is set to open this summer. – see story today on RINewsToday.