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Coronavirus Update – Today, May 13, 2020
(Photo: Tulip Pickup at Wicked Tulips, Exeter, RI)
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Under new lockdown rules in England two people from different households can now meet outdoors, as long as they remain two metres apart.
MGM Springfield to lay off as many as 1,900
MGM is opening casinos in southern Nevada soon
Downtown Nashville begins to open, with safety measures in place
Budget airline says passengers will need to ask permission to use bathroom
Russian president Putin’s spokesperson, Peskov’s and Peskov’s wife were admitted to hospital with coronavirus.
Wuhan, China now wants to test every person in the city – 11 million people – in the next 10 days after more breakouts.
The Veterans Administration gets 500,000 N95 masks from South Korea
UK modifying its work from home policy to now say “if it’s safe” you can go to work and get the companies back up and running again.
Dentistry and midwifery listed as the most risky businesses in coronvirus time
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam delayed the easing of public-health restrictions in Northern VA for two weeks.
Los Angeles County’s stay-at-home orders will “with all certainty” be extended for the next three months, through August.
CalState will remain closed, moving to online in the fall.
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey emailed employees on Tuesday telling them that they’d be allowed to work from home permanently, even after the pandemic
Broadway shows are now canceled through at least Sept. 6.
Universal Orlando to partially reopen this week
MLS (Soccer) is looking at bringing all teams to Orlando to play
UK coronavirus outbreak kills at least 20,000 in home care homes
There were no new Berkshire County deaths from the coronavirus, only seven new cases
Dozens of Hasidic Jews who were part of the original outbreak in New York are now rushing to donate plasma to help others. “The community has taken a tragedy and turned it into a superpower,” 12,000 are donating.
Elon Musk has opened up his plant, against state guidelines, telling officials he’s there if they need to arrest him – vows to move his plant.
American Hockey League has canceled rest of season
USA Gymnastics postpones all premier events until 2021
Federal govt described plans to ramp up syringe production for future vaccine, so readiness is there.
Bob Kraft is auctioning a Superbowl ring which is now going for over ½ million – all proceeds will go directly to Feeding America, Meals On Wheels, World Central Kitchen and No Kid Hungry.
90% of Singapore’s cases are linked to crowded foreign workers’ dormitories as Singapore experiences a massive wave of second infections
The American Bus Industry and the United Motorcoach Assoc go to Washington – about 800 buses planning to demonstrate for federal help for their industry.
New Balance Aims to Produce 100,000 PPE Face Masks A Week
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Four cases of Covid inflammatory disease are reported at Boston’s Children’s Hospital – three cases in Connecticut – 100 in NY and 3 deaths in NY
According to the RI Dept. of Health 42% of COVID patients put on ventilators eventually recover to discharge.
The Cumberland Foundry featured on national news for making of iron kettleballs in demand by people wanting to workout at home.
Construction will continue on Polar Park for the WooSox. Team says they have kept McCoy in good shape, though there are no plans currently announced. They have also not furloughed any employees.
Nearly 100 Walmart employees in MA Baystate store have coronavirus
Cong. Cicilline wants to include federal bailout money for journalism and the media.
Connecticut Governor has fired the Health Commissioner for failure to recognize that nursing homes were a major priority
RI Governor’s Address:
Data: May 12, 2020
14 deaths: 60s to 90s years old – 13 came from long term care
340 fatalities long term care facilities; 5 and 10 from other congregate
Of all nursing home deaths, 60% took place in the facility, while 32% were in a hospital. 9% were from hospice
Nursing home testing – first round has been completed for all 85 homes. Will be doing routine testing in all homes. Will be re-starting testing now. TY to National Guard.
We are going to be living with this virus for a year unless there is a vaccine or a therapy.
Governor says it is a good data story – 164 new cases, did fewer tests, not seeing decline, but it’s very steady – steady picture and plateau. But! Very sadly we do have another 14 deaths.
We need to accept that this is the new way of living, and don’t get frustrated. If we go back to new way of doing things, we’re going to get into trouble – don’t want to have to pull back. #1 goal – not to pull back.
Going slow is important. Whatever we do we see the result in 2 weeks. Try your best to live within the rules. Don’t want to overwhelm the system. Gathering limit is 5 people – same 5 people. Keep social network small. No bbqs, parties. But ok to go shopping. So far so good.
Hospitals, healthcare workers, MDs offices: Focus is getting back to work. Retail and healthcare. Hospitals are back up and running for noncritical procedures, appts – “It’s safe to go back” – hearing from healthcare that patients are afraid. “I want you to have confidence – it is time to muster the courage and schedule that appointment – go ahead and do it”.
Contact tracing diary: Make sure you are keeping yours. If you get sick you’ll need that diary. “This will save lives.” The more you follow the rules the more and faster we can open the economy.
Healthcare settings – workforce stabilization plan – $8.2M additional wages to front line workers. Will expire June 1st.
Nursing homes – FEMA is sending PPE directly to nursing homes – coming next week. Once a week shipments every week for four weeks. “Little bit of good news”.
Distance Learning: Reports are by and large positive. But, there are challenges. Kids with special needs, non-English speaking, lower income, bad technology in home. Believe we’ve equipped every home has been equipped with internet, wifi, and computers – if you don’t have, call the Gov’s office. All four carriers with free service will extend to June 20th. Verizon, AT&T, TMobile and Sprint.
Equity: Latino community. All communities of color. Why? We don’t know why. Underlying inequities exacerbate this virus and vulnerability. We are doing more testing.
Restaurants: Facebook Live event last night for restaurant owners. They will complete a covid19 control plan. Those fine dining without outdoor dining – why not open now and let them have a fighting chance. Mentions Capriccios, etc. Is there a magic around 8 feet apart? No. We are not ready for indoor dining. And have to have reservations. Parties of 5. Try to follow the rules.
Gov says, “I’m the first Governor in the northeast to open the state.”
Bartholomew report poll – 84% will not go out to a restaurant because of safety concern – Gov: Be brave. Time to come out again.
RI State employee furloughs. Hard to see how we are going to get out of this without furloughs. I don’t see a way we can get away without doing this. Very likely there will be another stimulus project coming. Will be some structural changes. Very hard to do budget today until we know about that.
The star of the Senate Committee on the Coronavirus hearing on Tuesday was Sen. Lamar Alexander’s dog, Rufus who was capturing everyone’s attention – at one point he left to take a walk and came back to resume his nap.
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