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Your Coronavirus Update – Today, June 4, 2021
Photo: Gov. McKee’s Twitter feed – at Dunkin’ vaccination promotion Iced Coffee Day
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
82 people were vaccinated at the Dunkin’ promotion at the select stores in RI
RI House of Representatives is back in session, inside the State House.
The RI Senate is still off-site.
New Bedford City Hall will open June 13th
There are efforts to keep the alcohol-to-go in place for curbside pickup.
RI agrees with national recommendations of no masks outside for vaccinated and non-vaccinated. Non-vaccinated are encouraged in large groups to wear masks. Outdoor summer camps, not necessary. Indoors for unvaccinated, necessary.
The Harvest Kitchen in Pawtucket has reopened.
RISD reopens June 13th with new exhibits – https://risdmuseum.org/hours-admission
Market Basket’s 5 MA stores will have vaccination clinics – no word yet on RI stores.
In an effort to reach anyone who has not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine, the State, the Town of Smithfield and Fidelity Investments are hosting Rhode Island’s first-ever public drive-through pilot vaccination clinic on Saturday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Fidelity Investments parking garage located at 100 Salem Street in Smithfield. This is a great opportunity for those who have been concerned about having to walk or stand at a vaccination event. This is the first time we have such an event open to the public. People can register on www.vaccinateri.org – Fidelity Investment Drive Thru POD. While registration is preferred, drive ups can also be accommodated.
The Senate approved a bill that would require insurance companies to cover COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccines with no copay.
Massachusetts is joining a growing list of states offering incentives to vaccine holdouts and will offer people a $25 Market Basket gift card
Pell Bridge, Newport, traffic is only 11% less than May of 2019 and is 64% higher than May of 2020
Rhode Island has had the fourth-most deaths per capita among the 50 states since the beginning of the pandemic.
RISCA will be opening Phase 3 of the Artist Relief Fund for applications on June 1, 2021. For this third, and likely final, phase of the Artist Relief Fund, we expect to award approximately 250 grants of $800 to arts and culture workers in the state of Rhode Island. All applications will be screened for eligibility, and then all eligible applications will be selected for funding via a lottery system. We anticipate significantly more applications than we have funds available. The application deadline for the Third Phase of the Artist Relief Fund is Monday, June 14 at 8pm.
90% of veterans have been fully vaccinated in RI says Kasin Yarn, Director of RI Dept. of Veteran Affairs
East Providence: The city has planted a living memorial to the almost 200 residents who have died after contracting the coronavirus. A tree and accompanying plaque were dedicated Monday outside city hall,
Connecticut announced plans for a “back-to-work” incentive program offering $1,000 for the first 10,000 residents to sign up.
Venus de Milo has decided to delay the planned Memorial Day weekend reopening of the venue’s restaurant. Citing unfruitful attempts to recruit staff, the owner says they’re focusing on expanded take-out options in the coming weeks, and plans are still in place to revive the banquet business.
The Vermont Education Agency will strongly recommend that schools continue to follow the agency’s COVID-19 prevention measures for the rest of the school year.
The Boston Bruins played in front of a crowd capacity of 17,000.
The first female mayor of Boston has called back to in-office work the staff of city hall, sending families into panic over daycare. In MA, the 1,066 at home day cares have been reduced to 934; and the day care centers have decreased from 687 to 550. For new mothers (during the pandemic), child care arrangements are not in place. Predictions are for several women to leave their employment.
Stop & Shop is looking to hire nearly 1K employees to work in its stores this summer on the Cape and Islands, with housing included.
Lady Gaga’s August concert in Boston has been rescheduled by her to 2022.
Rhode Island’s June Pride parade has been postponed, for the second year.
Governor’s Press Conference
Press conferences on COVID every other week at RI State House.
93% of 65+ Rhode Islanders vaccinated – most other age groups are over 50%.
Working on vaccinating people where they are and closing down mass vaccination sites.
Middletown & Dunk close on 6/26. Sockanosset will remain open through fall and be maintained as field hospital.
Working on 12+ vaccinations. Goal is all students in classrooms in fall. Going to remove barriers to learning – no longer required to offer virtual learning.
82 people vaccinated at the Dunk on Coffee Day. RI is available to vaccinate groups of people – get in touch with state.
1st Drive-thru being held this Saturday at Fidelity in Smithfield – sign up or just drive-up – no walk-ups.
New masking guidance – vaccinated/non-vaccinated not required to wear masks outdoors. Not required outdoors at camps this summer. Unvaccinated, indoors, masks required. Camp organizations can be more restrictive if they want. Masks advisable in high density outdoor events.
Testing – symptoms? Please get tested at accessible sites.
2030 Plan – Discussion on health – 6pm on Facebook Live.
Stay positive – test negative – vaccinate the Ocean State.
Dr. Scott:
Speaking to those not vaccinated – or have friends who are not. Now is the time – move forward time is now. Variants are present and out there.
0.8% positivity now – let’s keep our numbers low. New hospital admissions have been in single digits every day.
RI’s transmission level now is “moderate”. We need to continue to be aware of newer versions. Spread more easily.
College students returning in the fall – you should get your first dose by July 4th.
Masks are required in schools, childcare, public transportation, healthcare, homeless shelters, prisons, etc.
Tom McCarthy:
Vaccinations: Hope St. Farmer’s Market – Scarborough Beach, other events and locations.
Expanding vaccination program at home for those 50+.
Primary care providers can now offer vaccinations. Onboarded 25 pediatricians and doctors.
RI is one of 12 states that have at least 1 dose in 70% of the population.
Q&A:
Q: Days of 90 degree heat – coming up – any update for that in schools for masking policy?
A: We’re current with the current science. Indoors is highest risk areas – not planning on making any changes for the rest of the school year.
Q: Are you prepared for children to deal with 90 day heat in schools without a/c?
A: We’ve proven we are resilient. 100% focused on full recovery, but we are not there yet.
Q: Specific clinics for 12+ kids?
A: Not requirement for going back to schools at this time. Clinics at schools have been successful – and area for children at mass vaccination sites.
Q: When vaccine is approved for under 12, how will that be handled?
A: We are preparing for that, considering how to administer. Cranston would be easiest to ramp up.
Q: Convention Center back in center when? Dunk?
A: Convention Center in August – Dunk in the fall.
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
U.S. first-time jobless claims fall below 400,000 for first time in pandemic era
The US is vaccinatingvforeign workers aboard ships that have been circling the Earth’s seas, keeping products supplied to countries.
Facebook has announced that it will no longer remove posts that suggest the COVID-19 virus came from a Chinese lab.
Amazon’s Prime Day has moved up to June 21 & 22 to help people restock on important items
CDC is working on new Covid guidance for summer camps now that teens can get vaccine, director says
Russian regions begin vaccinating animals against COVID-19 – RIA
Azores, as they are experiencing a severe shortage.
Full vaccinated people can donate blood plasma at blood drives
The new White House science adviser hopes that for the next pandemic, a vaccine will be ready in 100 days
Apple says they will ask their staff to return to their office 3 days a week – they may also work from home 2 weeks of the year.
39% of workers would rather quit than return to offices in the fall, Bloomberg survey
In New Jersey, mask mandates may be waived at high schools sooner than elementary and middle schools in the fall because teens have a head start over younger kids on getting vaccinated,
The Smithsonian will reopen 10 of its museums on a staggered schedule throughout the summer
A majority of Major League Baseball’s 30 teams have been able to relax coronavirus protocols after two additional clubs qualified and raised the total to 16 franchises reaching 85% vaccinations for players and other onfield personnel. Relaxed protocols include dropping the requirements for facemasks in dugouts and bullpens, and loosening restrictions on mobility during road trips.
The NY Knicks said they will only sell tickets to vaccinated people.
Florida concert promoter – $18/vaccinated people – $1000/non-vaccinated people.
California will have sweepstakes for fully vaccinated people – up to $15 in giveaways – $50 gift card for most.
Uruguay is working on the world’s first large-scale memorial to the global toll of COVID-19 with a $1.5 million project on the shores of Montevideo.
The Indianapolis 500 welcomed a sold-out crowd of 135,000 spectators on Sunday
A sharp rise in coronavirus cases from new variants in parts of Southeast Asia has prompted new restrictions, factory closures and attempts to rapidly scale up vaccination programmes across the region
COVID-19 cases in Malaysia has soared past India’s on a per capita basis. Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and East Timor have all doubled their cases in the past month. Vietnam will suspend incoming international flights to its capital Hanoi
Singapore should be able to relax recently imposed restrictions on social gatherings after two weeks if the local COVID-19 situation continues to improve
Hong Kong will offer civil servants who get vaccinated against COVID-19 a day off for each dose
Moderna Inc (MRNA.O) said on Tuesday it has started an application for full U.S. approval of its COVID-19 vaccine, which is currently only authorized for emergency use in the country.
The World Health Organization has announced a new naming system based on the Greek alphabet for key COVID-19 variants. While these new names will not replace existing scientific names, the new system is aimed to make the names easier to say and remember, as well as prevent stigma associated with calling variants by a location name. For instance: Alpha – first identified in UK Beta – first identified in South Africa Gamma – first identified in Brazil Delta – first identified in India
West Virginia to give away guns as Covid-19 vaccine incentive
The EU is making vaccination passports available to ease travel – they are Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Croatia, and Poland.
Australia is keeping its anti-travel ban in place.
Anheuser-Busch announced that it would “buy Americans 21+ a round of beer” once Pres. Biden’s 70% vaccination goal is met.
Several studies have shown an association between low vitamin D levels and increased risk for COVID-19, though not a direct link. MORE, HERE: https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2021/vitamin-d-covid.html?cmp=EMC-DSO-NLC-HLTH—MCTRL-060221-F1-5523943&ET_CID=5523943&ET_RID=2857375&encparam=YZKieQf99ROa%20VCZQNlOkw==
The US will share 80 million vaccine doses with other countries by the end of June.