Subscribe!
Your Coronavirus Update – Today, July 7, 2020
Photo: Nibbles Woodaway, doing his part to promote “wear a mask” from his post at Big Blue Bug Solutions, high over Route 95 in Providence
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Treatment Updates:
- Use of hydroxychloroquine – early on – is now being reported by Henry Ford Hospital as helpful. https://www.henryford.com/news/2020/07/hydro-treatment-study – Another study published 2 days later said it is shown not to have an effect.
- Remdesivir – may reduce # of days in hospital – very expensive. US govt has bought up a large quantity for this drug as spikes increase. Hospitals will be able to buy predetermined amounts of the coronavirus treatment remdesivir through September for up to $3,200 per five-day course.
- Dexamethazone – is a steroid that can have 30% reduction in deaths for patients in ICU on ventilators.
More than 200 scientists have called for the World Health Organization and others to acknowledge that the coronavirus can spread in the air — a change that could alter some of the current measures being taken to stop the pandemic. (https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/scientists-urge-who-acknowledge-virus-can-spread-air-n1232991?icid=cv_marquee)
Testing waits are going from hours to days in peak states such as Texas, Florida, and Louisiana.
Texas hospitalizations have increased 120%
Six Flags in New Jersey has partially opened
In Massachusetts the largest affordable housing company, WinnCompanies, has extended a prohibition on evictions through 2020.
In Florida, competing hospitals are now meeting every morning planning how to come together to treat the influx of new patients
In Florida, the Education Commissioner ordered all public schools to reopen in August.
Keisha Lance Bottoms, Mayor of Atlanta tested positive for COVID-19, with no symptoms.
Researchers are advising against congregating – restaurant dining, indoor congregating – so why are we doing INDOOR nursing home visitation? https://www.msnbc.com/mtp-daily/watch/dr-vin-gupta-need-to-avoid-indoor-congregation-if-we-can-avoid-it-87099461954?cid=sm_npd_ms_tw_ma
Health departments around the U.S. that are using contact tracers to contain coronavirus outbreaks are scrambling to bolster their ranks amid a surge of cases and resistance to cooperation from those infected or exposed.
20 states are now requiring masks
Federal legislation being proposed to help out transportation services such as buses, ferries – similar to airline assistance.
In England, during wedding ceremonies, brides and grooms have to sanitize their hands before exchanging rings, even if they are already living together.
The New York State Fair is canceled
Hampton University, Virginia, has announced it will offer only online classes
Summer Camps:
- 5,000-plus summer camps opting to close because of health concerns surrounding the pandemic, or because of delays in receiving rules or guidelines from licensing officials.
- New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Oregon have banned overnight camps
- In Maine, where only 20 of 110 licensed overnight camps are opening, guidelines require staff and counselors to quarantine or receive a negative test result
Wimbledon – no tennis royalty or tennis champions at the All England Club in 2020
The University of Washington said more than 100 of its fraternity house residents tested positive for the virus, underscoring the risk colleges face in reopening for the fall semester.
California Governor Orders Second Shutdown of Restaurants and Indoor Businesses in 19 California counties
The Ballet Theatre of Maryland will build an outdoor stage for practicing, and performing this summer.
Nick Cordero, Standout Actor in Broadway Musicals, Dies of COVID-19 Complications at 41
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot blamed COVID19 and its stress on the community for the violence and shootings increasing in the city. (https://dailycaller.com/2020/07/06/chicago-mayor-lori-lightfoot-covid-19-coronavirus-escalating-murder-rate/)
Vermont State Historic Sites are now open on a limited basis. Guests will be required to wear facial coverings in buildings and in the presence of others outdoors. Some spaces will not be open to visitors because of social distancing requirements.
287 LA police officers are in quarantine
Aid to small businesses will be extended – federal PPO
Plainridge to be first Mass. casino to reopen on Wednesday
Phoenix, Arizona has a 91% ICU occupancy rate
Jimmy Johnson, NASCAR driver, tests positive and is in quarantine.
India: With nearly 700,000 coronavirus cases, India is third worst-hit country
The cast and crew involved with taping a Friends Reunion are being tested and will then go into quarantine until the shoot is completed.
The MLS is Back Soccer Tournament match between FC Dallas and the Vancouver Whitecaps set for Thursday was postponed after eight players tested positive for the coronavirus. The group-stage game will be rescheduled. FC Dallas announced last week that six players tested positive for the virus upon arrival in Florida for the tournament. The entire team was quarantined. Two Whitecaps players tested positive, forcing the team to remain in Canada.
New England Patriots have plans to offer free parking to their season tickets holders when they return to games
Alaska is publishing names of businesses where employees have tested positive.
40% of prisoners at San Quentin Prison in California test positive
Home Design: COVID19 is impacting home design with increasing calls for mudrooms, touchless faucets, separate home office spaces, etc.
Autos: Auto experts recommend that cars are driven periodically, at least once a week. There are several reasons for this:
- First, running your car for 15 or 20 minutes will keep the battery charged up. That way the car is ready for use should you ever need it. If you drive for 15-30 minutes at moderate speeds once a week, that ought to be enough to keep your battery in good shape.
- Second, when you drive the car, you’ll keep your moving parts lubricated, shifter linkage and parking brake cable.
- Third, by moving the car occasionally, you’ll avoid creating flat spots on your tires, even if you just move it 1 foot in either direction.
- Fourth, when you take the car out, you disturb any rodents or small animals and bugs that may have built a home in the car.
In New York several people contacted by contact tracers refused to come in for testing or provide information and the courts have begun issuing subpoenas, with fines of $2K a day.
MLB All-Star game canceled after many players test positive
US Travel Assoc says the US is seeing a return to the Great American Road Trip – people can drive and control their environment. Parks and road trip purveyors, and small motels will benefit the most.
Orange County, Florida Mayor Jerry Demings stated that the demonstrations over the past month are partially to blame for the recent increases in coronavirus cases that the area has seen.
The World Health Organization (WHO) quietly updated a timeline this week to reflect that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) never reported its discovery of the coronavirus to the WHO.
Celtics leave for 7-14 weeks sequestered in Disney to play basketball
40% of Harvard grad students will not be returning and all classes will be held online for 2020-2021
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
No updated data since Friday – Gov. address will be Wednesday – look for updated data today
Transparency portals in RI have identified the top recipients of PPP federal stimulus money used to pay over 108,000 employees and help keep businesses afloat. More than 17,000 Rhode Island businesses shared $1.9 billion, with an average amount of approx. $110,000. Funds received can be used for payroll, rent/mortgage,and utilities. Companies receiving the largest amounts, supporting close to 5,000 workers are:
Brown Emergency Medicine, Brown Medicine, Coastal Medical, H. Carr & Sons, Cardi Corporation, East Coast Interiors, Rhode Island Medical Imaging, Arden Engineering, Pet Food Experts, Taco, Technic, Greystone, KVH Industries, and University Orthopedics.
Providence Municipal Court opened Monday of this week – with in-court numbers limited. Night court still suspended for now.
The RI Health Care Association says 8% of the nursing home population in RI, 7,500, have died from COVID19 related disease – and ¾ of the 2,745 people who have had the coronavirus have recovered (2,059). They also say 73% of RI’s deaths (627 or 927) were from nursing homes. https://providencejournal-ri.newsmemory.com?publink=007231da4_1343725
Movie Night at Home: WRIK Entertainment, in RI, will come to your house and set up everything you need for a backyard Movie Night – Four hour movie night package include a screen, projector, sound system, delivery & set-up. The customer can play their own DVD, use their laptop or streaming service to play a movie – more, here: https://files.constantcontact.com/03864687001/2b8c8d0f-1dff-4244-ac7b-280feffd191f.pdf
Newport Art Museum: Through the Window – Opening Art Reception, July 9, 6-7:30pm, Live Online Event – Opening reception of juried show, Through the Window. The “window” concept is not only a literal reference, but also figurative — and drawn from our current worldwide environment. A window is sometimes a barrier, and sometimes a portal. It lets in the light or keeps out the cold. It indicates possibilities or limitations. Juror, Lorena Pugh, will announce the winners for the show and discuss her selection process. We will take questions from our guests and we will provide a virtual tour of the show. Event will take place via Zoom. This event is free and open to the public, however, you must register using the link below to receive your meeting login instructions: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcrcu2srjIoHdeXbdccCf0DAq4DSi_cFbPK
Newport Art Museum: Summer Camp – Registration is also open for Youth Summer Art Camps, which will run through the week of Aug. 21. Register at newportartmuseum.org/camps
Encore Casino, in Massachusetts, said it would furlough 3,000 more workers
St. Mary’s Feast in Cranston will not be held in 2020
Abbott ID Now: Testing has ended by CVS at Twin River. RI Health Dept said, “Tests have been enormously beneficial to Rhode Island’s response to this pandemic. They have allowed us to quickly identify thousands of positive cases, which meant we were able to get individuals into isolation right away, and we were able to get their contacts into quarantine right away. However, there are limitations to this test. It is considered a point-of-care test, meaning that normally the result is only one piece of information that your doctor would use when assessing you in the office. This is because it is a little less sensitive than other tests. For that reason, we decided strategically to be less reliant on Abbott ID Now tests as other, more sensitive tests came onto the market.”
URI Housing – Limited to 2 per room – town of Narragansett moves to shut down housing to 3 or less. URI’s decision is compounded by a decision Wednesday by the Narragansett Town Council to limit student rentals to three unrelated adults per house.
TF Green Airport will open 2 new restaurants.
All YMCA branches are open in Rhode Island.
Evictions/Rental Assistance: Close to 800 people are in various stages of eviction in RI through end of June – with over 4,000 applying for rental assistance. Less than 200 of those applicants have had applications processed and paid at this time as the Governor said “we have to do better” at processing. A program of mediation is expected to be developed to help both renter and landlord.
Bobby Tasca, NHRA Driver, from RI, has tested positive for covid-19 and will miss his race this weekend
Portsmouth Library is open again
UMass Dartmouth offering single occupancy dorm living – semester will end at Thanksgiving
Battleship Cove Museum opens at 40% capacity
Warwick Mayor Solomon has instituted a grace period for city tax payments and the city will also hold off on issuing motor vehicle tax bills until the state budget is adopted.
Johns Hopkins Data — see where RI – and all states fall when measured on death rates per 100,000 – RI is 5th from the top:
