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Your Coronavirus Update – Today, August 13, 2020
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
World tops 20 million COVID-19 cases
In Colorado, volunteers from the public health department are sitting in vehicles outside stores, watching shoppers to see whether they’re wearing masks.
Salem, Oregon: Out-of-state travelers will be charged 30% more while camping at state parks to help recoup some losses during the economic downfall caused by the pandemic.
Columbus, Ohio: Unemployment claimants would receive $300 in federal weekly unemployment assistance under an option provided by the White House that doesn’t require extra state spending.
The Dallas Cowboys owner told reporters on Wednesday that the team intends to play all their home games with fans in attendance, citing AT&T Stadium’s “naturally-built airflow.” Earlier, Washington Football Team announced it will not kick off the season in front of fans.
New York Comic Con, which was scheduled to be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Oct. 8 through Oct. 11, is going virtual.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the $400 weekly unemployment benefit payment, authorized under President Donald Trump’s recent executive action, will be distributed within several weeks.
Antarctica is the only continent without a single reported case of COVID-19.
Some authorities are saying that New York’s nursing home deaths could be far higher than the 6,000 reported.
Big Ten – PAC-12 postpone 2020 season, but the ACC and SEC are still taking a wait-and-see approach.
CEOs of 29 companies including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Citigroup Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and NBCUniversal, are part of a new initiative called the New York Jobs CEO Council, employing more than 3.6 million people. They are pledging to hire over 100,000 traditionally underserved NYC residents.
A week after the school year started, more than 800 students and 42 staff from one Georgia school district have been asked to quarantine after several tested positive for COVID-19. The Cherokee County School District, north of Atlanta, has 40 schools and centers, 4,800 employees and more than 42,200 students.
Big 12 Football conference decides to play.
New Hampshire to host mega motorcycle event, similar to So. Dakota – regulation that all groups of 100 or more need to wear masks.
Arizona reported more than 1,200 new COVID-19 cases and 45 new known deaths Tuesday, as hospitalizations for the disease generally continue four weeks of downward trends.
Assaulting a worker who is enforcing face mask policies can nowbe prosecuted as aggravated battery in Illinois – a felony charge.
With air traffic nearing a five-month high, airport security is finding guns in passenger carry-on bags at three times the rate recorded before the pandemic. 80% of the guns are loaded.
In Massachusetts, youth sports teams are going out of state to practice and play, skirting rules in-state, though parents say they are doing nothing to hide it.
Connecticut issues $1,000 fines for people coming into the state without quarantining from the 30+ states on the list.
Italy has put out an urgent call for 3 million single person desks for schools – the amount usually made in Italy in 5 years.
Israel has restricted its contact tracing, now using the Army to do so – as well as assisting with testing.
11 US military facilities were approved as quarantine bases, these sites were meant to be temporary and are not true quarantine stations.
Many flagship stores are leaving NYC/Manhattan because of vandalism and lack of foot traffic and customers.
Ride services such as Uber and ZipCar are seeing a surge in business.
Teens and young adults who vape are five time more likely to become infected with the coronavirus compared with those who did not use e-cigarettes. Those who both vaped and traditionally smoked were nearly seven times more likely to become infected.
Luxe condo sales in Boston slow, but developers anticipate a surge post-pandemic.
UConn out of state students taking classes online only will not return to campus
Cape Cod beach restrictions are going to limit capacity, may only be open to residents, etc.
Annual March on Washington being redesigned to reduce numbers of people coming to DC, and encouraging more online participation.
Dr. Pepper is experiencing a shortage of all of their products due to work issues related to the coronavirus
Moderna is being paid $1.5 billion by federal government to produce over 1 million doses of vaccine – still in process.
In reaction to Russia’s announcement of a usable vaccine, Dr. Fauci said he “seriously doubt” their vaccine is ready for widespread use.
A nationwide shortage in day care will increase as parents return to work and some schools do not fully open, or before and after school programs decrease. A Boston school official said, “this is a time for all eyes to be on our children”.
Puerto Rico will hold a 2nd round of primary voting as many voting locations could not open during the official voting date because of coronavirus concerns.
5,000 coronavirus deaths have been removed from the UK’s list due to mis-classification, bringing their totals down to over 41,000.
No decision has been made yet on opening of schools in Boston. The Mayor says he is also very concerned about college students coming into the city to return to college.
At Boston University, the phrase “F*CK IT WON’T CUT IT” was trademarked on Aug. 6. The application states that the phrase would be used for “Promoting public awareness of safe and smart actions and behaviors for college and university students in a COVID-19 environment.”
With 42% of people working from home, only 3% are dressing professionally for ZOOM meetings and other video conference calls. Vicky and Nikoleta Lirantonakis, two sisters from Salem, Massachusetts, are taking this moment to capitalize on what they see as a new opportunity: professional styling from the waist up only. https://rentbestdressed.com/style-filos
President’s Press Conference
Schools – calling on Congress for $105 billion to get kids back to school – only 20% of families can telework, another reason to open the schools.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Schools: Aug. 31st deadline for plans to be turned in.
Teachers: Go back date: Sept. 9th
Start of School: Sept. 14 (Gov. says we “need a little more time” for planning)
Last day of school for all RI: June 25, 2021
Buses: Gov mentions she’s waiting for a week to find out if “the Guard” can get RI more buses – or not.
Testing: RI state website shows, on a Wednesday, this week, that early next week is the soonest to schedule a test – result times are decreasing from 7-10 days to 2-4 days.
Funding: Gov. tells NBC10 she’ll know in a week if the feds are sending more money for schools – or not.
Warwick: School Committee voted 4 to 1 to reopen w/distance learning; with in-person learning for children with IEPs or special needs, career and tech. Warwick spokespeople said they did submit a special ed plan and it was lauded – they also say they need the money to make school renovations, etc. Parents should plan on remote learning until a vaccine comes along.
Fall River – opt for hybrid learning plan decision has been made
Citizens Bank will award a combined $1.5 million in grants to 100 minority-owned small businesses
RI case numbers: 25 of 39 Rhode Island cities/towns have had less than 5 cases in the past 7 days. 9 cities/towns have had less than 50 cases total; 5 cities/towns have had less than 25 cases total.
CartwheelRI, a grocery delivery nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as wholesale goods such as dried beans, rice, coconut milk and more, to anyone in Providence.
A new app is being localized for Rhode Island’s fishermen, via the University of Rhode Island. The app, called FishLine and developed in California by Phondini Partners, allows fishermen to post what fish they caught on a given day, their prices, sale locations and hours for consumers. It also offers recipes for meals on certain species and how those fish are caught.
Dr. Anthony S. Fauci will join Gov. Raimondo on Thurs, 8/13, for a Facebook Live forum for a discussion about how to reopen our schools in a way that balances health and safety concerns with our children’s need for a high-quality education.
Teachers who don’t/can’t go back to school: From Maribeth Calabro, Providence Teachers Union: “If they “choose” not to come back they would have to resign. They would not be paid if they resign. If they have a documented medical condition that doesn’t allow them to come back they can participate in Distance Learning. They will be paid their regular salary. If a teacher resigns or retires before retirement age there are many issues/concerns with that, including, but not limited to penalties for early withdrawal and significant reductions by varying declining percentages for every year you retire prior to the schedule date of retirement. You cannot borrow against your pension or remove portions of it for any reason except permanent resignation/retirement.”
Teachers who do not want to return to school in North Smithfield due to age, high risk status, etc., are being offered early retirement packages. Approx. 21 teachers are considering this step.
Some Rhode Island parents are gearing up to educate their children at home – not waiting for state and city/town decisions – by combining small groups of children and hiring “managers” for their at-home pods.
Barrington students cannot wear gaiters or scarves to cover their mouths and noses as they are known not to be effective – they will be provided with surgical masks if they do not have any.
New compliance order violators posted in RI DBR site: Rios Barber Shop, Westerly; Matt’s on Mendon Barbershop, Cumberland; Subway, Clinton St., Woonsocket; Sam’s Food, Providence; Grab and Go, East Providence; Liberty Lunch, Pawtucket; and Andrea Hotel, Westerly.
New Shoreham has suspended licenses for all outdoor activities through end of season – with exception of already planned weddings. Block Island leader says, “we have unruly people here”.
Governor’s Press Conference:
RI Data:
Deaths: 2 – 3 day hospitalization – 91
Schools:
Herculean task to have schools prepared. Transportation. Facilities upgrades. Increased air flow. Stable groups of students. Traffic flow so halls are not 2-ways. At-risk faculty/student accommodations. Masks on at all times provisions. Making progress but need “a little more time”, according to the teachers.
New Calendar: School will start on Sept. 14th – teachers will come back Sept. 8th to learn new techniques/protocols. Last day of school will be June 25th. Teachers get 3 extra professional days.
Date for in-person/partial in-person/all distanced decisions for each school/town: Changed to week of Aug. 31st. Will depend on school being ready, testing being ready (48-72 hr turnaround), transportation, etc.
Buses: Most children get to school on crowded buses. There is a National Guard team with RIPTA, RIDOT, etc. Buses have to have distanced seating, windows open, etc. Creative options – children biking or walking to school, parents walking, different forms of buses and vans. Scooters! Staggered start times, etc.
Testing: Pods of 30 students so if kids get sick it will only be pod that is impacted. Every child needs to be tested just before school starts. Rapid testing for children, teachers, staff who get sick during the day. Who does this? School nurse? Secured 8 rapid testing processing machines. RI joined a 10 state collaborative to get test kits. 700 per day capacity now.
Social Gatherings: Limit is 15. Not a different 15 people every day. Write down a list of 15 and stick to that list of people. First 5 days of State Police unit they rec’d about 400 calls. 76 calls were investigated. 4 violations. House party with 25. Street party with 40. Back yard get togethers of 30 people. Parties were broken up without incident. IF this happens again, every person will be given a $500 fine. Write down names/phone #s of all people who are at the social gathering.
Why are social gatherings 15 and catered events 150 and schools 30? School environment is relatively controlled. Restaurants are also controlled. Social gatherings are the issue. Crowding. Sharing food, no masks, etc.
Masks: We need 100% compliance – we need to see it. Employee compliance had decreased when surveyed. Customer compliance went up.
Contact Tracing: Key to stay ahead of virus. Keep your journals. Having a gathering, write down names, numbers. Take call from RIDOH if you get one. May be hiring more contact tracers.
Golden Rule: Don’t leave your house if you are sick. Last week ½ of the people who were sick were at work. If you are afraid you will get fired – BY LAW – every employer is required to give you 2 weeks to work WITH PAY. Call Governor’s office if your employer is giving you a hard time – or call 866-487-9243. Manufacturers, retailers, etc. – if you are threatening your staff, it is illegal and “we will find you and you will be punished”.
Car Pools: Disease is spreading that way – the state is seeing that. Must wear a mask when in a car with other people.
Dr. Fauci will be on a conference call Thursday at 3pm with Governor on Facebook Live.
Dr. Infante-Green: Updated on all details – updating chrome books, computers, etc. Parents will have choice about distance learning, in-person learning, students with IEPs. Playbook was released as well. Safety first.
Dr. Scott:
Data: 74 new cases; 2 deaths (both in 60s).
Number of new cases about the same – way too many. Hospitalization numbers have been higher than we want them to be. HEZ’s have distributed more than $1Million masks. More than $2M have been invested into hardest hit areas – Pawt/CF.
Working sick: retail, financial, food service, mfg, real estate – Over 49% of people who tested positive were at work when they were symptomatic. Week before, it is over 60%.
Questions:
Testing – Delays are too long. Should be able to get a test, but it’s the results that are a problem. Two weeks ago we were at 7 days – now we are at 4 days – we have to get it down to 2-3 days. This week we started with Dominion Diagnostics. 48 hour turnaround. Last week the team turned around 700 tests in a day so Rhode Islanders could go to MA on vacation.
Unemployment/Executive Order – Plans? “I haven’t found a Governor in America who said they are going to be able to administer this” – Congress needs to pass a law, and send the states money.
School Start-Up – If there are some school districts that are ready to go back, and their numbers are low enough, then why can’t they go back? Push back is coming from the teachers. “I listen to them. Teachers are afraid, I understand that. You gotta get up your courage to do it. I’m promising them that it will be safe.” Transportation might involve troopers driving children – only certain amount of buses in America. Could be vans, RIPTA buses, etc.
Warwick – voted unanimously to go to distance learning. “They threw in the towel before they even tried”. “It isn’t fair – I am so disappointed in that school committee. Air quality is a factor – so get to work and do a plan like everyone else is doing.” Gov. looking into funding, legal options – will use any tools we think is necessary.
Education Disparity – some schools can’t even get earbuds for students; some schools are asking parents to provide chairs; some don’t have wifi, computers, etc. Charter schools in Washington/Kent Co. have 70% makeup of kids in Pawt/CF. Gov. Raimondo: “we’re refining our approach for private schools”.
Eviction – “I’m going to give congress another week or so. See if they can pass a bill for eviction relief. I’ll have to consider something if they don’t take action”. We will end up with thousands who become homeless. Gov. reassessing executive abilities – may have to go to RI legislature.
Teachers refusing to go back into classrooms in many states – 30-40% in some areas of country. About 60% are 40+; about 70% are 60+ – what is the plan that in-person learning will be impacted because teachers simply won’t do it. Gov: saying you are afraid is not a reason not to go to work. If you want to get paid, you need to go to work.
Block Island – we need to do better. More resources, more inspectors – Gov: “Might have to take some action”.
Newport – doing well. Community has come together.
Nursing Home – SEIU – labor action – “we are constantly in contact with them to see if there is a compromise that might get through the legislature”. Visitation difficulties with Dementia/Alzheimers patients – more access is asked for –