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Coronavirus Update Today, Wednesday, May 6, 2929
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Arkansas, Montana, Kansas, Colorado, Minnesota: Gyms, fitness centers and indoor athletic facilities in Arkansas and restaurants, bars, casinos, breweries and distilleries in Montana. Kansas will begin a three-phase reopening strategy upon the expiration of its statewide stay-at-home order, and Colorado and Minnesota will begin opening nonessential businesses.
New York state is reporting more than 1,700 previously undisclosed deaths at nursing homes and adult care facilities as the state faces scrutiny over how it has protected vulnerable residents during the coronavirus pandemic.
Gold’s Gym using bankruptcy option to remain a viable business.
4 million Italians returned to work Monday
Miami Beach park closed after nearly 7,500 warned about masks
Smithfield Foods has reopened its hog slaughterhouse in Monmouth, Illinois, after a weeklong shutdown
Many Chinese export companies face bankruptcy
Starbucks is slowly opening stores nationwide
Boston’s Duckling Day will be held online on Mother’s Day on Facebook live, 10am – on Friends of the Public Garden Facebook page.
3-4 million gowns for MA and RI from Merrow Co. in Southcoast
Texas hairdresser sentenced to 7 days and a $7,000 fine for opening up her hair salon against shut-down rules
$12.8 billion will be given to Native Americans
There are cases of children are experiencing rare complications of covid19, experiencing heart attack and multi-system inflammatory response similar to Kawasaki disease or toxic shock syndrome. Also a new study shows children can spread covid19, which may impact schools, summer camps opening.
Detroit automakers push for restart of plants within 2 weeks
California‘s Huntington Beach, Dana Point and Seal Beach received approval to reopen beaches after submitting plans that include measures to protect public health.
Washington state – outdoor activities can resume.
Pfizer, NYU working on innovative coronavirus vaccine that could be ready by end of summer
President Trump said he’s losing sleep at night knowing there will be deaths as the country opens up.
Airbnb will lay off 25 percent of its workforce, or 1,900 employees
Two of New Jersey’s iconic beaches — Avalon and Stone Harbor — will reopen Friday for people to run, walk, fish and surf as long as they follow social distancing rules; no “stationary” activities like sitting and lying down or large groups.
“60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl says she’s feeling better after spending a week in a hospital.
Museums reopen in Germany
Students at 25 universities sue for refunds after campuses close due to coronavirus
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
BOSTON — The 104th Fighter Wing out of Westfield, Massachusetts is scheduled to flyover several locations in F-15s Wednesday afternoon. Below is Wednesday’s flyover schedule for local hospitals (all times are approximate):
- Boston Convention and Exhibition Center: 12:15 p.m.
- Partners Healthcare System: 12:15 p.m.
- Brigham & Women’s Hospital: 12:15 p.m.
- Framingham Union Hospital: 12:15 p.m.
- DCU Center/ St. Vincent’s Hospital: 12:25 p.m.
- UMass Memorial Medical Center: 12:25 p.m.
- Mercy Medical Center: 12:35 p.m.
- Baystate Medical Center: 12:35 p.m.
- Holyoke Medical Center: 12:35 p.m.
- Western Massachusetts Hospital: 12:40 p.m.
- Baystate Nobel Hospital: 12:40 p.m.
North Smithfield High School is planning a graduation June 5th with “distance” graduation, jumbotrons, and fireworks to enjoy while sitting in your car.
Two men allegedly conspired to obtain loans from the SBA using false information, making the national news.
Wickford Art Festival canceled for this year.
A budget gap of at least $400 million is expected in Rhode Island.
Guidelines for states to continue opening:
A 14-day decline in hospitalizations, or fewer than 15 a day.
A 14-day decline in virus-related hospital deaths, or fewer than 5 a day.
A steady rate of new hospitalizations below 2 per 100,000 a day
A hospital-bed vacancy rate of at least 30 percent.
An availability rate for intensive care unit beds of at least 30 percent.
At least 30 virus tests per 1,000 residents conducted a month.
At least 30 working contact tracers per 100,000 residents.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
In an interview with the Providence Journal when asked what she should have been done differently to protect nursing-home residents, Gov. Raimondo said that staff moving between nursing homes and residents being transferred from hospitals back to nursing homes probably contributed to outbreaks.
RI Data – 5-5-2020
Governor’s Address
Going back to work will be a new normal and look differently. It will be slow and steady. We’ve already changed the way we live – washing hands, cleaning, etc.
Governor says we “have to accept that the virus will be with us for about a year, or until a treatment or vaccine can be found”. And we have to live with a life of restrictions – and mitigation.
Face Masks: Executive Order requiring Rhode Islanders to wear a cloth face mask in a public place – indoors or outdoors. Exceptions for children under 2, those unable with health issues. In effect on Friday. To be worn when others are around, etc. There will be fines for noncompliance.
6 housing alternatives in place for healthcare workers afraid to spread germs to others. Free, over 1,000 rooms.
Food delivery and food bank availability systems are going to stay in place. United Way, Meals on Wheels, etc. Probably for next year.
Domestic violence programs and awareness to stay in place. Safe at Home website.
Will be developing a one stop app for resources Rhode Islanders need.
NextDoor.com – continue to use this to connect to your close neighbors. Over 100,000 Rhode Islanders are on this free site.
Senior Centers/Churches/Community groups for virtual programming and support
State Government services – most state employees life isn’t going to change in phase 1 – continue to work from home. Will continue to use online, phone call centers. Will expand some services – reopen in person RIDMV services by appt. only. Will reopen one satellite DMV office later in phase 1.
Face Masks – please wear when going through drive-ups.
Governor’s Press Release:
Governor Gina M. Raimondo today provided more details on Phase 1 of the Rhode Island’s plan to reopen the economy today.
- Executive order: The Governor signed an executive orderdirecting everyone in a public place – whether indoors or outdoors – to wear a cloth face covering. The only exceptions are for children younger than two years of age and anyone whose health would be negatively affected by wearing a face covering. The order goes into effect Friday.
- State government: In the first phase of reopening, state customer services—including HealthSourceRI, the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS), and the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT)—will continue to serve the public through call centers and online services. However, the state is planning to open more in-person services at the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by appointment only in Phase 1.
More details on the plan to safely reopen Rhode Island’s economy can be found here.
Here is a video interview from the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce – CEO Laurie White speaks to RI Speaker of the House, Nicholas Mattiello about Rhode Island’s future, the budget, and the legislative process ahead:
