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Your Coronavirus Update – Today, August 18, 2020
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Photo: The first virtual presidential convention began last night
The remembrance lighting of the twin shafts of light to commemorate the destruction on 9-11 was restored and will take place from sundown Sept. 11th to sunrise Sept. 12th
Digital advertising has decreased in the pandemic, to where the top five digital advertising companies now control nearly 75% of all digital revenue – Amazon, Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Verizon.
In states with significant crime and living density, thousands of people are leaving to leave in more open living areas and climate. One state, California, with so many moving to Nevada, Arizona, etc., wants to adopt a wealth tax that would consider to tax residents who move out who are very wealthy on a sliding scale for 10 years.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said that New York museums would be allowed to open at 25 percent capacity and with timed ticketing in place on Aug. 24th.
Spanish authorities — facing a new wave of COVID-19 after tamping down the disease months ago — have ordered the closing of nightclubs, banned the consumption of alcohol and even prohibited smoking outdoors in cases where social distancing cannot be guaranteed.
Nearly 11% of American adults seriously considered suicide this June according to the CDC – Medical professionals cautioned that social isolation associated with social distancing, along with soaring unemployment rates, could further accelerate the national suicide crisis
The FDA has approved the use of SalivaDirect, a COVID-19 diagnostic test which will be used at the NBA “bubble” and expected to go into widespread use.
Hollywood is beginning production again – testing 2-3 times a week – with many other precautions.
In an interview with Gov. Raimondo on Facebook Live, Dr. Anthony Fauci said temperature checks are no longer considered “valuable” in screenings – that public questioning is the most valuable – which also asks about symptoms.
When the vaccine(s) are available only 1/3 of Americans are expected to want it.
Hundreds gathered in Madrid to protest against the mandatory use of face masks in Spain
100,000 Britons volunteer for vaccine trials – but thousands more needed
New Zealand has postponed country’s elections as a new outbreak has happened with over 50 cases in Aukland – campaigning is also prohibited.
Australia reports its deadliest day – no weddings, events, schools, etc.
India is questioning quick response test accuracy.
Texas has 1.1 million tests backlogged due to inaccurate paperwork.
The Portland Trail Blazers star announced on social media that his grandmother in Bosnia has passed away after testing positive for COVID-19.
The CDC has lost two top staffers – Kyle McGowan, the chief of staff, and Amanda Campbell, the deputy chief of staff, resigned effective Friday, leaving to start a consulting firm
58% increase from June through July in cases in nursing homes/assisted living.
Two dozen lifeguards in New Jersey tested positive for the virus. That led to the quarantining of some 45 guards, depleting the ranks and forcing some guards to work shifts with no breaks. This is largely seen to emanate from group housing and post-work gatherings.
The Canada-U.S. border will remain closed to nonessential travel for at least another month
Connecticut is working with Yale University to train teachers in how to help students and themselves in the stress of the virus situation and a return to school.
D.C. trains have resumed normal schedules.
Nantasket Beach, Massachusetts has reduced capacity on its beach due to overcrowding concerns.
The 911 tribute, near ground zero, features 88 specially made lights used to create twin beams that tower over the city until dawn on Sept. 12 – and it will take place.
Nebraska has delayed opening of schools as its superintendent tests positive.
Ohio will not allow students to use face shields in place of face masks.
40 new cases have been identified at a Washington state nursing home.
Camping is increasing as a vacation alternative with more people wanting isolation from others.
There are now over 13,000 empty apartments in Manhattan.
Two fur farms in Utah have outbreaks among the minks.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill switches to all virtual classes after 5th outbreak on campus.
South Korea is having massive protests over mandatory mask wearing and other measures.
Hollywood projects ‘Hollywood Apocalypse’ as rich residents flee Los Angeles
CDC is worried about overlap of coronvirus with flu season and will be encouraging flu shots even more this year.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
RI Data:
Deaths: 2 in past 3 days – 1 on Sunday
10 employees of The Dunes Club test positive – the club is closed for several days for a deep cleaning.
With RI cities and towns desperate for money to make school changes to return to school, RI cities and towns have received $42+ million less than usual from the state for Pilot funding (for tax-exempt properties), and $57+ million less in car tax payments, according to the RI League of Cities and Towns.
Wachusett Mountain Ski Area is planning to open with capacity limits, preference for limited slope spots for season passholders, with fewer passengers on shared chairlifts.
The Museum of Science in Boston has a new remote interactive exhibit where questions can be asked and virtually answered – https://virtualexhibits.mos.org/covid-conversations/
Labonte’s Driving School approved to teach RI and MA students online.
Warwick Mall has new shopping hours: Monday – Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 11am-6pm
The reading of George Washington’s letter at Touro Synagogue in Newport has been canceled.
Multiple Northeast states investigating possible spread of coronavirus among youth hockey players originating from Massachusetts.
RI department heads have been told to slash their budgets by 15% for the next budget year.
5 to 40 COVID-19 cases in RI are associated with licensed daycare facilities since June, with roughly half of those cases involving children and half daycare staff. Spread within the daycare centers appeared minimal with most new infections coming from outside the facilities.
The Pumpkin Spectacular will take place Oct. 1 through Nov. 1, as a drive around at Roger Williams Park Tickets will only be available for purchase online, timed for each half hour. Each carload costs $50, or $45 for zoo members. No reciprocal membership or AAA discounts will be offered this season.
The Governor is asking people to send her questions for her Thursday Facebook Live forum with Jennifer W. Jencks, PhD, LICSW, Director of the Access Center at Bradley Hospital and Assistant Director of Lifespan Pediatric Behavioral Health Emergency Services. She’ll be joined by Barbara Austin, LICSW, Bradley Access Center Supervisor. The conversation will focus on how to support students’ mental health and well-being as they return to school this fall. If you have a question send an email to [email protected].
Just over 200 children under 19 tested positive for coronavirus in Rhode Island in the last 2 weeks. The total of these age groups since mid-March testing positive is approx. 1,737. 1 child between 10 and 19 years old has died in RI (reported to have multiple health issues)
Monday, Lifespan began a new testing site at the Bethel AME Church in Providence and will test on Saturday from 10:45am to noon. W. Elmwood Housing Development is today from 12:45 to 4:30pm.
Lifespan says it has enough supplies to be prepared for a surge after school starts.
CVS and Walgreens will screen and take temps for people coming in for flu shots.
Coventry school superintendent has researched ventilation systems and air quality and says, “the way classrooms are now we should not be putting children in those schools”. 6 air changes an hour – once every 10 minutes – is the goal. HEPA filters are in hospitals, not schools. Looking to get 500 box fans and HEPA filters that might overly tax their HVAC systems. Supt. acknowledges that there is not much time to make these changes.