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Coronavirus Update – Today, May 14, 2020
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
More than 26 million likely to lose employer-sponsored health insurance due to Covid-19
Outbreaks of the coronavirus could sweep through large camps where crews typically stay as they fight wildfires across the U.S.
New Zealand opens barberships and they recognize this by opening at midnight, with shops full of clients
Burger King says face masks may become permanent part of uniform
Feds warn of Chinese attempts to hack healthcare, drug firms doing COVID-19 research
Maryland to end stay-at-home order on Friday
Uber is trying to buy Grub Hub, which could rescue the failing company.
Live call centers may become obscure as automated “bot” text technology will take over; others work from home.
Commercial real estate will suffer with empty skyscrapers if stay at home working takes hold
Pediatricians throughout US have been issued warnings about Covid-19 complications in children
US donating ventilators to South Africa
17 states have children with cases of inflammatory syndrome – 3 have died
Minnesota letting stay-at-home order expire Monday
Maryland to end stay-at-home order on Friday
One in four popular YouTube coronavirus videos contain misinformation
Harvard Medical School goes remote for incoming students this fall
Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down stay-at-home order
Uber to use facial recognition tech to determine if drivers are wearing masks
Harvard Medical School goes remote for incoming students this fall
Pharmacists are able to provide tests in some states
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
In New Bedford, all events through the summer with more than 25 people are canceled.
The URI Graduate School Virtual Recognition will air on Saturday, May 16, at 9 a.m., and the Undergraduate Virtual Recognition will air on Sunday, May 17, at 12:30 p.m. at uri.edu/commencement/y2020/.
Massachusetts opening: “I would love to be able to open up everything tomorrow,” Baker said during his daily briefing. “That would be an incredibly irresponsible thing to do.” He said the “last thing we’re going to do is reopen in a way that fires that virus up again.”
RI Day Care Centers say social distancing regulations are impossible to follow and they may not be able to reopen.
Theatre by the Sea postpones 2020 summer season
West Warwick High School will protest today the RIDE stipulation that they must wear masks when walking across a stage to receive their diploma in a video taping that will be put together into a full procession. The facility will only hold 5 people, total, at the time each student walks.
60% of Massachusetts coronavirus deaths have been in nursing homes
The Narragansett Council of Boy Scouts are canceling all summer camps at every camp-site in the state of Rhode Island, including Camp Yawgoog, Camp Champlin, Camp Norse, and Camp Aquapaug.
RI Governor says visiting tourists may be required to take a test or face 14-day quarantine when coming here
Boston Globe says minor league baseball (MLB) will have a hard time playing without fans in the stadium – notes PawSox, specifically
The Hope Street Market will return to Lippit Park, end of Blackstone Blvd, on Saturday – 9am to 1pm
The Newport (Antiques) Show is canceled for this year – will have a virtual presence.
Antique Roadshow planned for Copley Square in May has been canceled.
NAACP National Convention planned for summer in Boston has been postponed
Some restaurants are suggesting all restaurants stay closed until it can be done right.
111 persons, or nearly 9.5 percent of the group home population for Rhode Islanders with developmental disabilities, have tested positive for the coronavirus as of May 13, including 7 persons who have died
RI Governor’s Address:
RI Data:
221 new cases, 269 hospitalized, 68 in ICU, 48 on ventilator
18 deaths. 1 in 50s, 1 in 60s, 6 in 70s, 7 in 80s, 4 in 90s
Of the 18 fatalities, 13 were in long-term care facilities.
If you want an email governor.ri.gov – button at top of website to get daily coronavirus newsletter.
Governor says the data shows we are keeping the plateau.
More important than ever to follow the rules now that we are opening up the state.
Encourage people to get back out there. Go at your own pace. Phase 1 is slow and steady, but encouraged to do errands, etc., but follow the rules.
Another encouragement to go to the hospital if you need to go – cancer treatment, surgeries, procedures, tests, etc.
Masks, ½ million & disinfectant solution will be distributed to small businesses with less than 50 employees next week. A month’s supply of masks and a voucher for disinfectant purchase at any Ocean State Job Lot. To get these, complete the checklist on reopeningri.com. More info: commerceri.com.
Also have 500 laptops for companies in need with less than 25 employees. These came from Microsoft. 521-HELP for consultation on business issues. CommerceRI.com for application for laptops – due 5/26. Commerce is partnering with other organizations.
Testing: This is the bedrock, along with contact tracing, isolating and quarantining, for moving forward. The goal is to get a test within one day of wanting/needing one. If there’s an outbreak, we want to get there in 4 hours. Also testing asymptomatic people to give us an early warning signal so we won’t get behind. TY to Woonsocket for helping to set up testing, Thundermist, in particular, which is a Health Equity Zone (HEZ).
The Point: 462-4444 – number for housing, quarantining, etc.
Serology (blood) testing. Expanding beyond 4 Stop & Shops, to 6 – Manton Ave & West River St.
All businesses must complete their reopening plans, even if they have not closed.
Questions:
Summer visitors/tourism: idea to test before coming here for visits? Gov. said she is thinking about ways to have tourism – one option is testing. How many tests, how would we administer this, encouraged, not forced, etc.
Hairdressers: would it help if we could test some or all hairdressers.
Courts: May or may not reopen.
Housing: May be more rental assistance. Will be more.
Stat tests: Tests work better when person has symptoms. What will be failure rate of CVS rapid tests?
CNA training program – shut down end of March – eager to have 50 students train and graduate – can’t get authorization from RIDOH, licensing board, etc. Trying for 6 weeks. Dr. Scott said she will work on it.
Testing numbers so low – less than 3,000: Dip in numbers from referrals coming from MDs. Need more testing in CF and Woonsocket because of the high positives.
Realtors – summer rentals, campgrounds: RI does not yet have a summer policy. 7 state consortium (MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ, Del, PA) formed about regional topics like this. Tourism/travel is one. In-state tourism, i.e., Prov resident that rents a cottage in Narragansett every year – “go for it”. RIDEM is working on beach plan and campground plan in two weeks.
Restaurants – Phase 2, earlier is June 1st for indoors – some are waiting for June 1st, some will open now with the new guidelines for outdoors.
Governor asked about contact with her mother on Mother’s Day: had family phone call; she’s living with her sister.
Conservative group challenging Governor overstepping authority: Gov said, “I haven’t wanted to do any of this” I’m the Governor. I have a duty to protect the people of RI. And make the tough decisions.”