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Your Coronavirus Update – Nov. 11, 2020
Photo: Member of the National Guard report for duty in March at the Javits Center – and throughout the US, they’ve been with us ever since in this fight against the COVID19 pandemic.
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
On Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said a second wave was “getting dangerously close.” Rising infection rates, he warned, could lead to more stringent restrictions.
Utah will require all residents to wear a mask, as its hospitals are near crisis levels.
Hot on Pfizer’s vaccine heels: Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson also have coronavirus vaccines in late-stage U.S. trials. A fourth company, Novavax, plans to start one later this month. Moderna, whose vaccine uses the same mRNA technology as Pfizer’s, is expected to report efficacy data as early as this month. AstraZeneca could follow this month or next, and J&J says it could have proof of efficacy this year as well.
Independent physician offices are struggling to stay open with many canceled appointments due to coronavirus concerns.
University of Notre Dame students are now subject to mandatory coronavirus testing and face strict penalties if they leave town before getting their test results after thousands of fans stormed the football field and threw parties to celebrate a double-overtime upset over Clemson.
Disneyland can’t reopen until Orange County’s coronavirus infection rates improve. Local officials are protesting the requirements, saying the economy will suffer, and residents’ health along with it.
Thousands of COVID-19 patients returned to hospitals within two months of initial release in New York
Newark imposes mandatory curfew on residents of COVID-19 hot spots
MA hospitals have plans to switch up to 400 acute care beds to intensive care unit beds, to expand capacity in existing facilities. However, the governor said state officials are also preparing for more cases than hospitals can handle. “This administration will once again begin to plan to stand up field hospitals.”
First Night Boston, New England’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration, announced Tuesday that the annual party will switch to a virtual event this year.
Eight of New Hampshire’s 10 counties are now seeing substantial transmission
As of now, 56% of Massachusetts people say they will travel for Thanksgiving: https://www.wcvb.com/article/despite-pandemic-56-percent-plan-to-travel-for-thanksgiving/34631462?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Coronavirus%20Newsletter%202020-11-10&utm_term=wcvb_coronavirus_COMBINED
Doctors now better know how to treat severe cases, meaning higher percentages of the COVID-19 patients who go into intensive care units are coming out alive. Patients have the benefit of new treatments, namely remdesivir, the steroid dexamethasone and an antibody drug that won emergency-use approval from the Food and Drug Administration on Monday.
Philadelphia is recommending that anyone who celebrated after the election should quarantine for 14 days if they were in large groups.
Saeb Erekat, 65, referred to as the Palestinians’ chief negotiator, has died of COVID19.
Disneyland may furlough as many as 10,000 employees now that many of their facilities are shuttered again.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Officials are calling for heightened concern about health and safety of nursing home residents.
Chariho High and Middle will be moved to distance learning this week w/ 2 positive tests.
Coventry HS going remote this week because of 3 new COVID cases
Woonsocket HS had a death in a school staff member, not a teacher. She had underlying medical conditions.
Providence’s Open Air Saturdays will be every Saturday in November and December from 12 – 6 p.m. to offer pedestrians a way to stroll, shop and dine. Westminster Street between Eddy and Mathewson streets and Union Street from Weybosset to Westminster streets will be closed for shopping.
Rhode Island Senate employees have been told to work from home for two weeks after three staffers tested positive for COVID19. The Senate’s 50 employees began working remotely on Monday.
RI Data
(Next Governor’s presentation, Thursday, 1pm)
Governor’s Statement: New Initiatives:
“The effects of the pandemic have presented barriers to much-needed support systems. That’s why today, I’m announcing several new initiatives aimed at rebuilding support systems, promoting mental health, and supporting survivors of violence and those struggling with a substance use disorder.
Early in the pandemic, we had to close many group-based activities like childcare centers, senior centers, support groups, and adult daycare programs. Today, although we’ve re-opened many services under enhanced safety guidelines, these programs are still struggling with limited staff and resources. We’re stepping up to ensure that those services are available to those who need them most by investing $3 million in stimulus funding to expand home and community-based services for individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
We also know that this pandemic has inflicted unparalleled stress on our most vulnerable populations and those who take care of them. That’s why we’re going to invest in better mental health supports for both caregivers and teachers. The Rhode Island Parent Information Network will begin providing online caregiver workshops for those across the state who care for family members. These workshops will provide tools and supports to caregivers to cope with the stress and anxiety that often comes with caring for a loved one, and I want to encourage you to participate if you are out there listening and need some help. Workshops begin November 17th and you can register now by visiting the Rhode Island Parent Information Network website at www.ripin.org/chn or calling 401-432-7217
Students have also struggled during this pandemic. The transition to distance learning in the spring led to increased anxiety, isolation and depression among students of all ages, and that’s particularly true for those who had previously experienced trauma. I’m excited to announce that we are investing in resources that will help schools better serve the complex needs of their students by placing Student Assistance Counselors in several Providence schools to provide outreach as well as individual and group counseling sessions for students. We’ll have additional announcements next week about resources for our educators as they work to support students during this stressful time.
Finally, we are taking steps to address two rising tragedies in Rhode Island. The first is a concerning trend we’re seeing in fatal overdoses. COVID-19 has increased isolation and has disconnected some Rhode Islanders from the help they need. So we are funding resources that will allow local providers to offer home-delivered harm reduction services and provide the overdose reversal medicine, naloxone, that can save the life of someone experiencing an overdose. If you or someone you know needs help with a substance use disorder, go to PreventOverdoseRI.org/COVID-19 for a list of local resources to keep you, your family, and loved ones safe.
We’re also seeing a significant increase in domestic violence-related calls to the statewide helpline over the past few months. Today, I’m pleased to share that we will be providing $1 million in grants to non-profit organizations whose primary mission is to serve survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault and human trafficking, as well as their children. These funds will be used to increase assistance services for survivors, including counseling and advocacy. If you are experiencing violence, I want you to know that you are not alone. Call the Rhode Island statewide helpline for 24-hour support at 800-494-8100.