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In the news… local and national news items of note
Rhode Island and vicinity
COVID
CDC has moved 4 Rhode Island counties to HIGH risk of transmission (except Newport Co.) – meaning people should wear a mask when at indoor events, and take other precautions.
In Massachusetts, at least 21 confirmed cases in the Senate and House over the past few weeks. Leaders continue to encourage mask-wearing as an appropriate safety precaution, but are not discussing a new mandate at this time.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said Monday the city would make no immediate changes to its current policy of recommending masks indoors despite an uptick in COVID-19 cases
Dr. Stephen Skoly (from Washington, D.C. based New Civil Liberties Alliance and locally) have filed an amendment to his existing lawsuit against Governor Daniel McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health, by adding the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training as a defendant in his suit for Denial of Unemployment Benefits.
34% increase in COVID in MA.
The Social Security offices in Providence, Warwick, Newport and Woonsocket are now open again to the public 8-4 Monday through Friday.
RI has extended its state of emergency to June 9th, allowing more federal money to come into the state.
COVID-19 testing at the East Providence Senior Center, Middletown Knights of Columbus, and Woonsocket Elks Lodge have been shut down.
FEMA pays RI $43M for COVID testing done.
https://www.covid.gov/tests – To order more free COVID test kits
RI Nursing Home group says 87% of RI nursing homes are in danger of closing.
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Other issues:
Fane building developer has been given a 9 mos. extension, after saying in October that his final deadline was June of 2022.
Barrington will reinstate the Honors program, in response to overwhelming support of parents/students.
Revel Lounge’s license will not be restored.
Arthur J. Sampson has been named interim president and CEO of Lifespan.
Massachusetts will move to replace its logo/seal and motto based on an American Indian with a bow and arrow and a phrase: ‘By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.’”
Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today joined Former Rhode Island State Senator Harold Metts, Providence Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez, Providence College Men’s Basketball Players, and Providence Public School District students to present a Key to the City to local icon and Providence College Men’s Basketball Head Coach Ed Cooley
Michael Neary has dropped out of the race for Congressional 2 seat
Median house price in April for RI was $420,000.
RIPTA canceled the Beach Bus Express for this summer in RI, serving 6 cities/towns. RIPTA says the bus normally carries only 8 or 9 people and it was not economically feasible to continue. – HOWEVER, NEW: Gov. McKee has reinstitute the Beach Bus for the summer of 2022.
Narragansett Beach will be free to all members of RI Indian tribes this summer. There is still a charge to park.
Last weekend, RI experienced 3 small earthquakes off the southern coast
RI Rentals selling all products at auction set for this week
Over 27,000 RI convictions for marijuana related charges stand to be expunged when marijuana becomes legalized.
The Jamestown – Newport Ferry has started for the season. It is jump-on, jump-off
A case of Monkeypox has been found in Massachusetts.
South Kingstown schools have ended the dual language program.
Lowest RI Unemployment Rate in Over 30 Years, according to the RI DLT.
Hasbro Children’s Hospital held a press event to let people know they should check with their pediatrician prior to going to the emergency room. There is a 7-hour wait now due to low staff and a full hospital census.
Michael Solomon has withdrawn from mayor of Providence race, and is expected to endorse Brett Smiley.
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National and International
COVID
With COVID rising, 1/3 of US should be masking.
Boosters now approved for children, ages 5 to 11.
Pres. Biden’s daughter, Ashley Biden tests positive.
HHS Sect. Becerra tests positive.
China’s plan has been called “unsustainable” by the WHO
Immunity against Omicron “fades rapidly” after a second and third injection of Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID vaccine, according to a new peer-reviewed study.
60% of COVID-19 transmission is asymptomatic or presymptomatic, according to a 2021 study, and that may be even higher now.
Head of New Zealand positive, as well as her partner after a trip to give a commencement address.
17% of Americans have not received a single vaccination against COVID19.
Moderna’s new CFO was let go after working 2 days when it was found he was under investigation for financial issues with the last company he worked for. He left with his full $700,0000 salary, but forfeited his $500,000 signing bonus.
People with serious COVID can take up to two years to recover from all the symptoms, with fatigue being the longest one to recover from.
Kelly Ripa has mild symptoms and is isolating with COVID
Buffets in restaurants are beginning to return.
Eric Clapton, well known for being anti-vax, has COVID. He is 77
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Over 900 immigrants have been bused from Texas to Washington, DC
Scientists successfully grow plants in moon soil for the first time
India has banned export of wheat, out of concern of shortages due to Ukraine’s wheat production shutdown.
ARAMCO oil posted 80% increase in profits last quarter.
Cases of Monkeypox have been found in Europe.
Starbucks says it will be for abortions out of state, for staff who must travel to obtain procedure
Jet Blue has issued a hostile bid for Spirit Airlines
President’s disinformation board is being shut down – or “paused” – because of … disinformation from outside sources about its intent – and Nina Jankowicz, Disinformation Czar, has resigned to go back into public service.
Goldman Sachs encourages employees to take their vacation and offers unlimited vacation to its senior management.
Walmart promising fast track to new grads on the way to a $200K store manager salary
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PASSINGS
Gino Cappelletti, 89, former Patriots player
Bruce MacVittie, 65, a character actor who grew up in Rhode Island
Robert McFarlane, 84, former national security adviser
Peter Nicholas 81, founder of Boston Scientific
Fred Ward, 79, veteran character actor