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Your Coronavirus Update – Today, June 20, 2020
Photo: Social Distancing campaign rally
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
10% of the people with COVID19 do 80% of the spreading, according to a Welcome Open research publication – thought to be caused by close, indoor, prolonged exposure
McDonald’s hiring ½ million workers – also will not be selling salads any longer.
About 1.5 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week.
Target is raising its minimum wage to $15/hr and giving out a bonus to workers for working through the pandemic.
Dr. Fauci admits that, back in March, he knew masks would protect Americans but did not recommend their use out of concern for having enough supplies for medical workers. He now recommends mask wearing as a major protection against the coronavirus.
A recent resurgence of the virus in China’s capital has forced top officials to warn that a worse situation is yet to come.
Pennsylvania is one of two states attempting to track the share of LGBTQ residents with Covid. (Rhode Island is the other, according to the National LGBT Cancer Network). Yet, people are hesitant to answer questions about their gender identity and sexual orientation. So far about one in five people have volunteered to answer the questions after six weeks into the study.
“To truly help protect people from transmitting COVID-19, we need to fix the air we breathe. Indoor humidity should be kept between 40% to 60%. Distancing. Filtering. Humidity. None of these individual solutions can prevent the spread of COVID-19. But used in combination, we can make our indoor air safer—to make it through this pandemic, sure, but also cold and flu season, and whatever pandemic awaits us in the future.” – This is the summary of a new research study looking at outdoor air vs. indoor air – https://bit.ly/2BmFndS
The President of Paul Quinn College said that colleges reopening are making a big mistake, “rushing to reopen our society and our schools is a mistake that will ultimately result in hundreds of thousands of citizens falling sick and worse. We should not let our own financial and reputational worries cloud our judgment about matters of life and death”. https://bit.ly/2CoRFmu
Florida added another 3,207 coronavirus cases, shattering the previous daily record of 2,783 cases. ‘We’re not shutting down; we are going to go forward’ says Governor. Numbers tested are higher as well.
Virgin Voyages Cruises to begin in October with the most detailed health regulations and a 48-hour cancellation notice to assure travelers of safety.
University of Texas has 13 football players positive for the coronavirus; 10 more players are in self-quarantine after contact tracing, and 4 have tested positive for the COVID-19 antibody.
Montgomery, Alabama mayor has issued an executive order to mandate masks.
The Governor of Arizona has said that the mayors are free to make wearing face masks mandatory in Arizona.
Connecticut reopened indoor dining, gyms, spas, movie theaters, hotels and other businesses, under strict social distancing and health protocols, in Phase 2 of the economic restart, which was expected to reopen 95% of the economy.
The Belmont Stakes will run today, being televised, but with no in-person audience.
“Unless players are essentially in a bubble — insulated from the community and they are tested nearly every day — it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall,” said Dr. Fauci.
Hong Kong’s Disneyland has reopened
New study from New England Journal of Medicine is drawing relationship between genetics and blood type and severity of COVID19 infection – Type A blood have a higher risk of catching coronavirus and of developing severe symptoms, while people with Type O blood have a lower risk. https://bit.ly/2NfLW4q
Most major cruise lines are suspending trips from USports until Sept. 15
The Philadelphia Phillies are indefinitely closing their Florida spring training facility after five players and three staff members tested positive for the coronavirus
Machu Picchu in Peru is opening up again for tourism, in stages.
AMC Theaters issued a statement early yesterday saying they will reopen with restrictions on capacity and food – masks will not be required. By the afternoon they issued a new statement, flip-flopping on face masks: now saying they will require face masks for moviegoers.
Indianapolis Zoo has reopened.
Most summer camps in New Hampshire have closed for the season, leaving 6 planning to open.
Vermont reported its first death since May, bringing its total to 56.
In California, masks are now required, where social distancing of 6 feet can’t be assured.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Rhode Island beaches this weekend are expected to reach capacity early – long delays and being shut out is anticipated. Fees will be in place until 6pm.
Massachusetts numbers: Positive test rates remain at 2.2%; average number of hospitalized over 3 days is 987, dropping 72% since April; 24 are hospitalized, down from 28 the day before.
Touro Synagogue in Newport reopens.
The city of Newport announced weekend capacity limits at Bailey’s Beach East. Starting Friday, 200 people will be allowed on the beach at any time.
The USS Constitution will host a series of presentations on July 4, using Facebook Live to celebrate Independence Day. The full series of live events will run approximately three hours and will include a 21-gun salute, tours of the ship, climbing demonstrations, boarding pike drills, 19th-century gun drills, and a public trivia contest, giving viewers a chance to win one of 21 saluting battery rounds fired from the ship.
Jet Blue will resume service from Providence on July 2nd.
Frontier Airlines will expand in Providence’s airport
17th Annual International Sand Sculpting Contest on Revere Beach has been canceled
In Massachusetts, over 60,000 have received antibody test, but few details are being provided.
In Oxford, MA, the town has cut off power and water to a gym that defied government orders and reopened amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Gamm Theatre is planning on reopening in Sept. 2020.
In Massachusetts, the state department of health said that “the rates of positive cases among Black and brown residents is more than three times that of white residents”.
RISD will open with combination of in person and virtual learning
RI added 13,000 jobs in May; unemployment rate now 16.3%
Basketball rims are back up in several Providence public basketball courts.
The Providence to Newport Ferry – Seastreak – will start up on June 26, with capacity reduced from 149 to 90, masks required. Reservations required.
Newport Bermuda Race: The 52nd running of the “Thrash to the Onion Patch” has been postponed until 2022, with some racing taking place this year.
The RI Raise the Bar on Residential Care advocacy campaign is promoting legislation to require minimum staffing for nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Sen. Goodwin has this as her major piece of legislation – while the nursing home association opposes it. Learn more, here: https://bit.ly/3dkO2dU
Cranston will not offer its parks and recs programs this summer – including the Budlong Pool.
Massachusetts can resume indoor dining Monday.
RI Data
Deaths: 9 – Ages: 1 in 60s, 1 in 70s, 3 in 80s, 4 in 90s.
Approximately 60 new deaths in nursing homes/congregate care facilities.
RI Governor’s address:
Preview of Phase III: Picking Up Speed. Gov. provided a review of what that will look like – we are still in Phase II.
We will increase our inspection of businesses and helping those who are struggling to comply. Indoor gathering 50-75 people. Outdoor 75-150 people. This is for social gatherings – weddings, party, etc. Preview of Phase 4 – August – weddings – 100 inside, 250 outside.
Retail stores – increase 1 person per 100 sq. ft. provided you follow all the other rules.
Restaurants, churches, etc. – increase to 2/3 capacity.
All indoor venues now closed can reopen (theatres, museums, bowling alleys, performance venues) – up to 66% capacities or 100 sq. ft. per person, if you can maintain 6 ft. distance from each other.
Any large venue wants to have more than 250 people, you have to submit plan to CommerceRI and RIDOH.
Go to reopeningRI.com for details.
Summer camps – reopen 6/29 – guidance stays the same. Municipalities should submit plans if they have not.
Child Care – Phase 3 – going from stable groups of 10 to stable groups of 20.
Youth & Adult Sports Guidance – for Phase 3 – just summer – next week.
Visitation for nursing homes, assisted living – coming in phase 3.
Schools/Education:
Goal – schools opening 8/31 – in person
Go to reopeningRI.com for guidance for administrators
We will prioritize equity based on how the virus has impacted cities/towns
Elementary & Middle Schools – stable groups of 30 or less – mass probably won’t happen
High Schools – stable groups whenever possible
Reduce need for buses
Option B – partial in-person learning plans need to be in place
Summer online coursework signup – more than 2,000 students have signed up – incredible response. We are continuing to add to the list – keep checking RIDE website for more options.
Those who were struggling before COVID are struggling even more. Undocumented immigrants particularly hard hit. They are a group usually not able to access federal funds. We Are One Rhode Island Fund – state money to be paid directly to this group. Goal is $3 million philanthropic dollars. Start it with $600,000. Used to provide thousands of families in need with $400 debit cards. Partnered with Dorcas & Goodwill – Text “WeR1” to 27126 to give. The RI Foundation has also established a fund for larger donors. More info on their website – good for other foundations, companies, etc.
Bars & Events
Sect. Prior – says bars are already allowed to be open.
Larger indoor venues should submit plans.
Nursing Homes – RIDOH working with facilities on making an individualized plan for visitation. Phased in. In alliance with CMS guidance. Visitations may be in place in July.
Protesters – What is rate of infection? Less than 1%. Overwhelming majority wore masks, and that works. Governor is relieved; still waiting, but it looks good.
Surges in other states – Arizona hospitals are full – RI watching this very carefully. 45% of new cases in Texas are from prison population. No. Carolina, certain counties with communal living such as nursing homes, or meat packing plants, or prisons. Ohio, data is similar to RI – careful reopening with no new surges.
Entertainment venues – trampoline parks, etc. – allowed to open but must submit a plan.
Next address by Governor Raimondo: Monday, 1pm.