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Your Coronavirus Update – May 27, 2021
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Gov. McKee has now set a goal of vaccinating 90% of the eligible population by July 4th.
Reopening of the Rhode Island State House, beginning with a limited reopening on Tuesday, June 1. The State House will be open to the public between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. As the State will not be requiring proof of vaccination for State House visitors and employees, individuals entering the building will be required to wear a mask in all common spaces as an additional precaution. All visitors will sign into a visitors’ log and receive a temperature check. Common areas will generally be open to the public. Specific wings will be roped off for health, safety and security purposes. This will also ensure appropriate capacity and proper enforcement of public health and safety from Capitol Police. Wedding or wedding photo appointments will resume on June 1. State House tours and other scheduled in-person activities operated by each office may resume at their discretion. Any choice to enable remote work, bring employees back in person, or any combination of the two will also be left to the discretion of each office.
RI House of Representatives will return to the State House – Senate has opted for more time
The Lippitt House on the East Side of Providence will open in June – advanced registration for limited tours on Fridays and select Saturdays.
Honeywell will no longer make N95 respirator masks – with 450 people set to lose their jobs – some can be absorbed into Honeywell’s other production lines.
MA Governor Charlie Baker’s office said Tuesday that he’ll file legislation to extend some pandemic emergency orders currently set to expire June 15. Baker is seeking extensions for orders allowing remote public meetings, special permits for expanded outside restaurant dining, and billing protections for COVID-19 patients, his office said in a statement.
In Delaware, residents 12 and older who are vaccinated between now and June 29 will be entered to win $5,000 cash and other prizes in twice-weekly lottery drawings.
Maryland held its first of 40 $40,000 lottery drawings Tuesday for people vaccinated against COVID-19.
West Virginia would pay unemployed people a $500 sign-up bonus for returning to work under a plan expected to be finalized soon.
In Connecticut, a judge has upheld the state’s requirement that children wear masks in schools, rejecting a challenge by some parents who said that mask-wearing can be harmful and that education officials exceeded their authority.
In Massachusetts, the 154th Marshfield Fair is set for Aug. 20-29
Newport is experiencing a lifeguard shortage.
In New Hampshire, even without a mandate, respondents said they are wearing masks at only slightly lower rates than in December.
JetBlue has returned to the Worcester Airport.
Arizona will begin giving $20 scratch-off lottery tickets and gift certificates for hunting and fishing licenses to people who get COVID-19 vaccines,
VA’s National Cemetery Administration has lifted all restrictions on gathering sizes at committal and memorial services in VA national cemeteries starting on Wednesday, May 26th.
Scialo Bros. Bakery reopened on Federal Hill
Fireworks will be held over Newport Harbor this year
Massachusetts will reinstate work search requirements tied to unemployment benefits
Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea announced that Department of State offices outside of the State House will fully reopen to the public on Tuesday, June 1. Previously, an appointment was required to access in-person services. This reopening includes the Business Services Division and the Elections Division at 148 West River Street in Providence, and the Rhode Island State Archives at 33 Broad Street in Providence.
From Ted Nesi, Nesi’s Notes (WPRI): Readers spotted the smiling face of Governor McKee on a full-color R.I. Department of Health mailer about vaccinations. “An urgent message from Governor Dan McKee” said the headline next to his photo, in English on one side and Spanish on the other. The state has sent a number of mailers during the pandemic, but this was the first time a picture of the governor was on one of them — giving McKee a potential publicity boost ahead of next year’s gubernatorial race. The Health Department confirmed the governor’s office was involved in the decision to put McKee’s picture on the mailer, while noting that a different mailer features a picture of Dr. Philip Chan. The McKee mailer was sent to 446,365 Rhode Island households, at a cost of $213,687, all paid for with federal coronavirus funds. I asked the governor’s communications team whether anyone on McKee’s staff advocated for putting his face on the mailer, and if so who. Their response took nearly 30 hours to arrive, and press secretary Alana O’Hare’s reply was a single sentence: “The governor did not make this request — the decision was made by an interagency team to increase vaccination rates and reduce hesitancy.” But according to the Health Department, that interagency team was made up of just two organizations: the Health Department itself, and the governor’s office. Pressed for more details, O’Hare refused to name names about who put McKee on the mailer, but she did acknowledge the governor’s communications office was involved in the “collaborative” decision. So, I asked, does that confirm the governor’s office did indeed advocate for McKee’s face to go on the mailer? “To reiterate, it was a collaborative decision and the governor’s office was part of it,” O’Hare replied. Once again, no names were offered.
Coastal Medical patients who are 18 years of age and older are invited to receive their first COVID-19 vaccine dose at our at one of our participating Coastal locations. You must register for these appointments because space is limited. – https://coastalmedical.com/vaccineclinics
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Antibodies are shown to be detectable up to 10 months – leading a booster shot possibility after that.
The CDC and US government warn Americans not to travel to Japan. The New England Journal of Medicine (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2108567?query=main_nav_lg) said the safest thing may be to cancel the games, due to the outbreak in Japan, and international travel.
The worst hotspot in North America is Manitoba, Canada – where people are being advised not to drive because if there were an accident the hospitals are not able to treat them.
New York, Maryland and Ohio are giving a scratch lottery ticket to all those over 18 who get vaccinated now.
US will keep Canada border closed for one more month.
Asking for proof of vaccination status does not violate HIPAA regulations.
National employers are beginning to announce vaccination requirements for all workers – Delta, Benefits Health Systems, Cast of Hamilton, RW Barnabas Health, Univ. of Pennsylvania Health System, and Velo.
The Biden administration is teaming up with dating apps to showcase the benefits of getting a shot. Apps like Hinge, Tinder, Match and Bumble are offering special incentives to people who roll up their sleeves, including badges showing vaccination status and free access to premium content. BLK and Chispa will boost profiles of those who are vaccinated, to make them more visible to potential matches. And OKCupid will even let users filter out potential partners based on whether they’ve gotten a vaccine.
Product shortages, from lumber to autos for sale, continue.
With 58 days until the summer Olympics’ opening ceremony, scientists warn that “canceling the games may be the safest option,” according to Axios’ report of a medical paper in the New England Journal of Medicine.
At least 25 states — plus Washington, D.C. — have now fully vaccinated at least half of their adults
Dr. Anthony Fauci took top honors at this year’s Webby Awards. The physician and immunologist was named Person of the Year for using digital and social media to provide credible and factual COVID-19 information during the pandemic.
U.S. home construction slowed by a surprisingly sharp 9.5% in April as builders delayed projects because of a surge in lumber prices and other supply constraints.
At Drexel, proof of vaccination against COVID-19 will be mandatory for students in the upcoming academic year with a full return to campus
Stephen Colbert will return to doing CBS’ Late Show in front of full vaccinated audiences starting June 14.
NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon is also planning to have a full, vaccinated audience in 30 Rock early next month. It comes three months after the series brought back a limited audience on March 22.
Moderna vaccine now proven effective for 12-17 year olds – this makes two vaccines – Moderna and Pfizer.
Covid-19 infections rises 17% in South Africa in a week
Vietnam widened lockdown measures in its industrialized north to combat its biggest COVID-19 outbreak so far.
William Shakespeare, first man in the U.K. to receive COVID-19 vaccine, has died of a stroke at 81 – his family has said the best way to pay tribute to him is to get vaccinated.
Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Odyssey of the Seas, disembarked several crew members who have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus in Spain as the ship makes its way to the United States after canceling cruises in Israel amid unrest this month. The ship is carrying 1,400 crew members.