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Your Coronavirus Update – Today, April 9, 2021
Photo: San Francisco prom
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
20,000 more appointments will be made available tonight at 5pm.
Gov. McKee continues with daily visits to vaccination centers.
Gov. Dan McKee said RI is not going to be “mandating” vaccinations.
RIDOH had a snag in the vaccination program for people of color planned for Saturday when the system sent out appointment cancellations – if you received a cancellation, ignore it – the program is still on.
Lincoln HS is planning their prom for the end of May at the Atlantic Beach Hotel in Newport.
The Levitt AMP summer concert series is set to return to River Island Art Park this summer in Woonsocket.
Newport Jazz Festival announces it will run a 3-day festival July 30-Aug. 1
Gov. McKee will visit a Jamestown vaccination site at 4:30pm
RI Outdoor dining on Atwells Avenue will begin on May 14th – with streets closing on the weekend. Today, Mayor Elorza will have a press conference to announce expanded resources to support safe outdoor activation of public space to accelerate cultural and economic recovery.
Brown University is reporting a massive spike in interest in Brown’s master of public health program — a surge driven largely by applicants from historically underrepresented groups.
A RI group wants to create a remote-worker attraction promotion for the state, Rhode Island Roots, similar to other states, promoting the benefits of our talented workforce, and the beauty of RI.
15 Rhode Islanders charged with organized pandemic unemployment fraud, done around the country, using Twin River Casino to cash out DLT cards with large cash balances on them. These were not individual claimants.
The North Providence Library has kicked off National Library Week, “Welcome to Your Library,” with outdoor reading bubbles. Reading bubbles will be available Mondays through Thursdays for the month of April.
Walgreens reminds staff that ID isn’t required for vaccine in Massachusetts, after some residents were turned away.
Starting on April 19, New Hampshire will begin allowing anyone over age 16 to make appointments for COVID-19 vaccines, regardless of residency.
Most spread of COVID-19 in MA is said to be happening within homes.
In New Hampshire, more than 20 school districts have asked the state if they can delay returning to full-time, in-person instruction that’s mandated to start April 19.
The Vermont Health Department is asking people to submit their stories – including videos, photos or written thoughts – about getting vaccinated against COVID-19 which will be used for a vaccination promo video.
Maine will relax attendance restrictions for private events such as weddings and private parties May 24 to 75% of permitted occupancy or 50 people, whichever is greater. The restrictions on outdoor events will rise from 75% to 100% of permitted occupancy on that date.
USS Constitution Museum reopens.
Some Walmart pharmacies in Massachusetts will soon offer COVID-19 vaccines – Abington, Avon, Bellingham, Danvers, Gardner, Halifax, Hudson, Lunenburg, Lynn, Northborough, North Oxford, Plymouth, Quincy, Seekonk, Tewksbury, Walpole and West Boylston store pharmacies.
FEMA will begin taking applications for reimbursement of partial funeral costs of those who lost someone to COVID – on MONDAY, call 9 to 9 – 844-684-6333. Reimbursement is available, up to a maximum of $9K for transportation, caskets, urns, gravestones, funeral arrangements and death certificates.
The Pawtucket Jacqueline Walsh School for the Performing Arts provided students returning with “survival kits” – gift bags filled with pens and pencils, pads of paper, hand sanitizer, water bottles, granola bars, and more.
40% of Newport, RI residents are vaccinated
AIS is making 25K masks available to Providence residents and local nonprofits on a 1st come basis – limit of 200 per organization and 2 per individual. Call 311 to set up a pick up time at Providence City Hall.
ACI will allow visitors for the first time since March of 2020
Nearly half of new COVID cases in Massachusetts tied to U.K. variant
COVID-19 issues have forced UNH to cancel the rest of its football season.
Some parents with students who have been at home for the past school year, are now wanting to opt out of scheduled standardized testing. Education officials say it is important to do to know how much needs to be recouped in education over the last year. Rhode Island has no “optout” provision, families can apply for a medical exemption from their doctor. Schools can also provide special accommodations for students.
The lockdown at Bates College is continuing through Sunday.
Spring football for URI Rams is canceled due to multiple positive players.
In Connecticut, several school districts across the state have been forced to close or stop in-person learning for a day because educators called in sick with side effects from their COVID-19 shots after clinics.
In New Hampshire, those who attended events at Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts around Easter are being asked to get tested for the coronavirus after an outbreak infected at least 16 people.
Gov. Phil Scott of Vermont, on Monday condemned the “racist response” to his administration’s decision to make members of ethnic minorities eligible for COVID19 vaccines before residents of other races.
Maine will work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to get vaccines to rural and underserved communities – using a mobile vaccination unit, the 2nd in operation in New England.
GOV. MCKEE UPDATE – APRIL 8, 2021
RI is doing well – ranking towards the top in vaccinations in US.
Community of color registration went well. We want to vaccinate everyone and get their vaccinate card.
Regular press conferences to take non-COVID topics starting the week after next.
Dr. Scott:
Reviewed data. Still seeing a lot of cases in RI – over 300 or 400 new ones every day. Partly due to the amt of testing we are doing. Seeing cases throughout the state – no localized. 19 out of 39 cities and towns had a significant increase in last 5 weeks. Bristol, Middletown and West Warwick even more. Younger people are presenting as well. Slight increase in hospitalizations, also in those in their 20s and 30s. We are “holding steady” but there are more contagious variants spreading in RI. Best protection against this is the vaccine. We aren’t at the younger age ranges yet.
Critical to continue to wear masks and get tested.
2 dates – May 15 & June 5 are dates to watch. By May 15th, 70% of Rhode Islanders over 16 have had at least one shot and 2 weeks after. By June 5th, 70% of all Rhode Islanders, plus 2 weeks – including young people. 70% mark is the same critical marker we can center on. Ages 16 and over for vaccinations.
Events: Without food:
3 phases. Between now and May 15 – 250 indoors/500 people outdoors.
After May 15 – 500 indoors/1,000 outdoors
May 15 – June 5 – 500 indoors/2,000 outdoors
Masks are required and distancing. Testing is required 48 hours before for indoor events.
With exception of graduations, plans for events with 500+ people are required to be submitted. Any requests of more than 500 – DBR needs request 30 days before.
Catered events: more info on reopeningri.com – Friday
Tom McCarthy:
Good week last week and this. 18,000 shots already this week – 86,500 by week end. Appointment notifications are going out now.
Commissioner Infante-Green:
In-person learning one of the most important things we can do for our children.
Working closely on proms and graduations.
RIDE has put out an RFP for summer programs. Children who attended increased scores significantly. Learning Equity Acceleration Pathways created to work together. EnrollRI on May 3rd to what is available for your children.
Q/A:
Q: Businesses struggling to get workers to go to work
A: Pryor – should be some level of procedure to allow extra benefit to travel with employee to incentivize them to return to work. Most people who are looking for work are minimum wage workers.
Q: Do you support Bill in Senate to help small businesses?
A: Been in contact about this and benefit should follow employee.
Q: Graduation plans – theory may not meet reality – is social distancing 3 feet or more?
A: Still requiring 6 feet, but involvement with state team, DBR, RIDE, RIDOH, etc., we would work with a school to help them make that happen.
Q: CDC is saying 3 feet in schools – why not for events?
A: That is for structured venues and younger children’s classrooms.
Q: Canvassing going door to door to reach people will continue – and do the pre-registration site, too
A: We are working on all of those things – including clinics.
Q: Colleges/universities – do you support mandatory vaccinations?
A: 62,000 young people – yes, they should be vaccinated.
Q: Do undocumented people need to fill out all the personal info?
A: Not asking for ID or insurance card at mass vaccination site – piloting mobile clinics –
Q: Hundreds of untaken appointments on line – what are we doing?
A: We are working on overcoming barriers, etc.
Q: Dancing at proms?
A: Pod dancing. You can dance at your table – more guidance online. Not after June?
Above 50 outdoors, testing required; above 15 indoors, testing required.
Q: Should people who have been fully vaccinated still need to get tested?
A: Yes, during this timeframe – probably until June.
Synopsis from ProJo:
Today’s Data – April 8, 2021
Deaths: 1
Tests – 17,219 – Positives – 360 – Percent positive – 2.1%
Hospitalized – 154 – In ICU – 28 – Ventilated – 21
Deaths in hospital – 0 – New Admissions – 22 – New Discharges – 22
Vaccinated – 374,952 Both shots – 275,464
Today’s Data – April 7, 2021
Deaths: 3
Tests – 19,213 – Positives – 449 – Percent positive – 2.3%
Hospitalized – 154 – In ICU – 25 – Ventilated – 21
Deaths in hospital – 1 – New Admissions – 28 – New Discharges – 24
Vaccinated – 355,819; Both shots – 267,992
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
A new study provides evidence that children may evade severe disease because a natural part of their immune response stops the virus early in its tracks, researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Health System and Yale University say. “What our data would suggest overall is that when children see the virus they have a very robust innate immune response,” said study co-author Dr. Kevan Herold, professor of immunology and internal medicine at Yale University.
Researchers identify five new cases of ‘double mutant’ Covid variant in California
In Chicago, an indoor event at a bar in rural Illinois triggered 46 cases of the coronavirus, the hospitalization of a resident of a long-term care facility and a school shutdown
The ferry service that carries passengers to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, is facing a shortage of deck hands, seamen and captains.
In Florida, fewer state residents are getting tested for the coronavirus, making it harder to detect and counter a potential fourth wave
UK to ease lockdown restrictions starting April 12
Outdoor flea markets are opening again
Oklahoma will drop its residency requirement for COVID-19 vaccinations
The SmartBuy program, offered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority, will pay off up to $40,000 in student loans, or a loan amount equal to 15% of the home purchase price, whichever is lower. It will also provide a $5,000 loan toward a down payment or closing costs.
Covid deaths reach 4,000 a day in Brazil, hospitals at breaking point
Elite Airways LLC today announced the introduction of nonstop jet service between White Plains in Westchester County NY, and the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard MA off the coast of Cape Cod. The new service begins May 27 and 28 at the start of Memorial Day weekend, and will operate seven days a week. Tickets are available for sale at 877-393-2510 and EliteAirways.com. With fares starting as low as $129 each way, daily nonstop jet service (Mon-Sun).
Front-line workers continue to suffer from mental health challenges, after a year of pandemic. A majority feel additional support is needed from employers.
In rare instances, AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine linked to blood clots
The University of Notre Dame said it will require students to be fully vaccinated for the fall
President Joe Biden has been dealt a setback with his goal to reopen more schools for in-person learning, as new data shows that a majority of students are still not returning to the classroom full time even when given the chance. According to a new survey released by the Biden administration, nearly 46 percent of public schools offered five days a week of in-person learning to all students in February, but just 34 percent of students were learning full time in the classroom.
At least one case of a variant that contains two worrisome mutations has been documented in California. It’s called a “double mutant” because the spike protein of the virus contains two mutations – one that is found in a variant tied to California and another that is commonly found in variants tied to South Africa and Brazil.
The cast and executive support of The Today Show received their vaccine as a group on the plaza outside their studios.
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week to 744,000, signaling that many employers are still cutting jobs even as more people are vaccinated against COVID-19
As pressure builds on the travel industry to restart, Qatar Airways has flown the world’s first fully vaccinated “flight to nowhere”. Flight QR6421 departed Doha’s Hamad International Airport at 11am on 6 April, and landed back at the same airport three hours later.
Moderna’s COVID Vax Produces Antibody Responses 6 Months Later
New York will offer one-time payments of up to $15,600 to undocumented immigrants who lost work due to COVID-19
The UK is advising using the Astra-Zeneca vaccine only in those over 30
About 90% of infected meatpacking plant workers were people of color – meatpackers are still at high risk.
A Los Angeles mass vaccination site will allow any adult to stand in line for a vaccine through Sunday after appointments went unfilled in recent days
1 in 3 COVID- 19 survivors were diagnosed with a neurological or psychiatric condition within 6 months of infection.
34% of students were learning full time in the classroom. The gap was most pronounced among older K-12 students, with just 29% of eighth-graders getting five days a week of learning at school.
New Zealand suspends travel from India, a COVID-19 hotspot.
Anyone who served in the military, their spouse and caregivers are eligible for COVID vaccines through the Veterans Administration, the VA New England Healthcare System announced
Cruise Lines are diverting some $56 Billion from the U.S. Economy
Walmart is going to be administering vaccines in more than 3,800 stores and clubs across 48 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
The willingness of Caribbean countries to negotiate with cruise lines is forcing the hand of the CDC—and the point of vaccines for all.
Emerson University in Boston is on quarantine and lockdown, including sports. 26 positive cases and 38 exposed.
Nova Southeastern University in Florida, and Fort Lewis College in Colorado
New York, Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey together reported 44% of the nation’s new COVID- 19 infections, or nearly 197,500 new cases
CT officials are looking into the possibility of eventually having to administer booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines in nursing homes, while also vaccinating new residents and staff
The “network effect” — knowing others who have received the vaccine and that it was “safe” and “efficacious” — can also be a strong factor in vaccine uptake for those resistance to getting the vaccination. “place-based approaches” to reduce vaccine hesitancy, such as working with churches and other community partners. For instance, the church is a “powerful influencer” in the Black community, although many of the “movable middle” aren’t influenced by churches. It is important to have “trusted messengers” to promote vaccination, and the message needs to be uniform, and without “political undertones”
New PSA by Ford for vaccine resistant audiences: