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Your Coronavirus Update – Today – Sept. 22, 2020
Photo: Outdoor learning at The Gordon School in East Providence
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC is open.
An additional 65,000 businesses in the US have closed temporarily, according to Yelp.
Cases top 200,000 in US
More than 32,000 restaurants reported themselves to Yelp as closed, with nearly19,600 indicating that the closures were permanent.
The CDC has made some changes, saying that the virus CAN be spread by those who are asymptomatic, not MAY be spread. They have also said that the virus can be spread by particles through the air. At the end of the day on Monday, the CDC website withdrew the recommendation about spreading via the air and 6 feet not being long enough safe distance.
The UK Labour Party wants to prioritize testing for children the same as key workers so test results can come back in 24 hours – protecting their teachers, family, and community.
Boston Red Sox legend David “Big Papi” Ortiz says he is recovering from COVID-19
A Maine paper mill has an outbreak of 18.
Europe is having a steady increase in virus cases – prompting Israel to go into a modified shut down and England is struggling with control efforts. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland raised the nation’s COVID-19 alert Monday from three to four, the second-highest level. More than 4,300 new infections were reported on Monday, a level not seen since early May.
Ohio State University cancels spring break.
Oslo banned gatherings of more than 10 people in private homes.
Madrid, Spain, and surrounding towns stopped people going in and out of neighborhoods in partial lock down. An estimated 860,000 residents can travel between neighborhoods only for work, study or medical reasons or face fines. Parks are closed and shops and restaurants are limited to 50% occupancy.
All virus restrictions are lifted across much of New Zealand with the exception of Auckland. Health authorities reported no new infections.
Munich, Germany will allow only up to five people or members of two households to meet, and will restrict private indoor gatherings such as birthday parties, weddings or funerals to no more than 25 people.
PM Boris Johnson is expected to announce new restrictions for Britain today, as cases are doubling every seven days.
The S&P was down 1.2% in reaction to reports of new outbreaks in Europe and the US
New York commercial tenants are protected from evictions and foreclosures through Oct. 20 under an executive order
India recorded nearly 87,000 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours. The nation of 1.3 billion people now has over 5.4 million reported cases, and within weeks is expected to surpass the U.S., which has 6.8 million reported cases.
Major cruise lines say they will test all passengers and crew for COVID-19 prior to boarding as part of their plan for resuming sailing in the Americas.
The University of Connecticut on Saturday placed a second dormitory under quarantine after several students tested positive
$14 Billion is coming for domestic farmers. The USDA will make direct payments for crops that meet a specified threshold of price decline. They include corn, soybeans, wheat and some cotton, as well as chicken, eggs, milk, beef cattle, pigs, lambs, tobacco, wool, alfalfa, oats, peanuts, rice and hemp.Farmers can begin signing up for the money on Monday at: https://www.farmers.gov/cfap
Some hospitals in England to be kept Covid-free in second wave because NHS England wants to ensure continuation of treatment of cancer and other conditions
Hall of Fame baseball pitcher Tom Seaver recently died at the age of 75 because of complications of Lewy body dementia (LBD) and COVID-19.
8th death announced from wedding in Maine – and 300 cases.
Connecticut Congresswoman Jahana Hayes has tested positive for COVID-19
Many cities are looking to shut down hotels that are being used to house the homeless.
Computers, printers and other technology are in short supply as students from kindergarten to college are in need.
Celebrities Giuliana Rancic and Vivica A. Fox Test Positive for COVID just prior to the Emmys and are pulled out of the red carpet hosting ceremonies
Motorcycle rally at Lake of the Ozarks – over 100,000 bikers with not a lot of masks and distancing
With Medicaid enrollment snowballing and tax revenue falling off a cliff, states are cutting provider rates to reduce their Medicaid spending and balance their budgets.
After a 10-year decline in life insurance applications following the 2008 recession, demand is increasing industry-wide, especially with younger applicants looking to establish policies.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Hanover, MA school system tested all students, staff and faculty – twice – prior to start of school. Cost was $50-60,000, to be paid for by federal funds.
20 free flu shots for children with an appt in Rehoboth – children will need flu shots to go to school
1,100-1,200 North Providence students opted not to return to in-person, leaving 2/3 of children in-school – Mayor says things seem to be going well.
Salvation Army closes 3 stores – predicts serious cutbacks as stores/retail locations hesitate to have the holiday red bucket collections outside their stores
Restore RI is offering grants for small businesses, now including sole proprietors – apply at CommerceRI: https://commerceri.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Restore-Round-III-Eligibility-2.pdf
The amount of positive cases has increased to over 176 at Providence College. The college is now retesting the almost 5,000 student body.
Citizens Bank says it is not going to have full return to work until 2021
Two sororities and a fraternity at URI are quanrantining after 5 positive cases in the sororities and 1 in the fraternity. URI has tested 1m624 with 62 positive cases and a 4% positivity rate.
RI Data – Sept. 21, 2020
New cases 52; New deaths 3; Deaths since Friday; 9
Twin River will resume 24 hour play
RI Blood Center is calling for more blood donations as supplies run low – must make an appt.- donating individuals receive a Newport Creamery Awful Awful certificate.
The RI ACLU released a report today giving security for computer ZOOM users for school students the “F” grade. Access the full report, here: http://riaclu.org/images/uploads/ACLU_of_RI_2020_1-1_Report_FINAL.pdf