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Your Coronavirus Update – Tues., Nov. 24, 2020
Photo: Massachusetts Governor Baker launches a new public awareness campaign – #GetBackMass (see video, below)
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Today, Regeneron will begin to be used as a therapeutic in the US.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak is both imploring residents to stay home, and encouraging out-of-state visitors to come to Vegas to spend money.
California Gov. Newscome is in quarantine after a possible exposure.
Massachusetts testing effort called “far short” of what is needed.
The MBTA is offering masks to all riders.
Survivors of loss from gun violence, mental health crises, racial injustice and the pandemic are all part of a coalition to call for the creation of a White House office of bereavement care. Adding service to the millions lost to coronavirus, on the civilian side, would be beneficial. Kenneth Feinberg, a victims’ rights attorney who is advocating for a new White House office to help Americans grieving loss from COVID-19 and other tragedies.
Gov. Cuomo announced he would be spending Thanksgiving with his 2 daughters and 89 year old mother – within an hour and social media backlash, Cuomo rescinded those plans.
New research shows that Ibuprofen does not show any correlation with the worsening severity of COVID-19 infection.
USA Today says Dec. 13 is the first possible day the vaccine could be administered – although the week after is more likely.
The CDC today said, “all people avoid travel on cruise ships.”
Colleges ask DeVos to extend the break from making student loan repayments for another year
New York has opened an emergency COVID testing facility as cases tripled on Staten Island
19 members of the House of Representatives have tested positive
England is also working to approve Pfizer vaccine and said it will do so “as fast as possible’
3 Million people are expected to pass through US airports
The Ravens football team has a few members testing positive
Pennsylvania has ordered bars closed at 5pm on the night before Thanksgiving
Los Angeles has entered a 2 week curfew, 10pm to 5am
The Governor of Oregon said reporting on your neighbor for having too large a gathering is encouraged.
Dr. Fauci assures Americans that Santa is immune to coronavirus
Connecticut is reopening health care centers dedicated solely to treating COVID-19 patients amid a resurgence of the coronavirus, including in nursing homes and assisted living facilities,
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled to take place March 20-April 11 with a new format that organizers say is meant to honor the tradition of the festival while prioritizing health and safety during the pandemic
Quantas Airlines is saying you must have a vaccine for international travel
Italy is expressing panic over their ability to distribute any vaccine with officials saying they don’t even have a good system to distribute a regular flu shot.
Hong Kong is paying its residents $650 as an incentive to get tested. They get paid if they test positive.
Guitar Center, the largest retailer of musical instruments in the U.S., has filed for bankruptcy.
Vaccine costs: AstraZeneca’s vaccine is estimated to cost about $2.50 a dose. Pfizer’s vaccine costs about $20, while Moderna’s is $15 to $25, based on agreements the companies have struck to supply their vaccines to the U.S. government.
On Dec. 2 England will lift their 4-week stay-at-home order and shops, gyms, personal care businesses and leisure facilities will be allowed to reopen, and collective worship, weddings and outdoor sports can resume. Fans will also be allowed back into sports stadiums for the first time since March.
Football Conference on the East Coast is trying to make life easier for referees by using the same virus testing procedures, including delivering tests to referees homes, etc.
“Pregnant women are now squarely in the higher risk population, which makes thinking about a vaccine for them. Pfizer spokesperson Jerica Pitts said thecompany is working on a “potential pathway” to a pregnancy-related indication for the vaccine program, which would mean getting the vaccine approved for use during pregnancy. It is also currently doing early research – not yet conducting trials in humans – to see how the vaccine works in pregnancy, Pitts said. Experts are still debating when vaccines should in general be tested on those who are pregnant.
The Ad Council announced plans Monday for what it described as “one of the largest public education campaigns in history” to convince Americans to get inoculated when coronavirus vaccines become available. The nonprofit council has set an initial goal of raising $50 million from the private sector.
40% of US schoolchildren are attending only virtual classes
An IRS deduction for donations made during COVID19 is now a line item, for tax returns – you won’t need to itemize to take a $300 deduction.
Clorox says it is selling out of antiseptic wipes as fast as they can be made.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
NEW: Massive testing will be underway in Pawtucket and Central Falls – paid for hotel/college rooms will be available for those who test positive – run by RI Dept. of Health. Also will be doing an asymptomatic program in schools for Pawt, Lincoln, Central Falls, and Providence. (announced by Angelica Infante-Green, RIDE)
All test sites in RI are closed on Thanksgiving.
The ACI is now reporting 169 prisoners/staff with coronavirus.
The Governor’s Workforce Board is putting a workforce training program on hold until there is a “clearer” budget picture, according to the Department of Labor and Training. The Incumbent Worker Training Grant — which was created to provide funding for continuing education, training, and upskilling of incumbent employees at existing Rhode Island employers with grants of up to $30,000 — is currently on “hiatus.”
Lifespan is imploring retired doctors and nurses, medical residents and students and others to join the cause. They are also recruiting from Huffmaster, a placement agency as they are experiencing a staffing shortage – and near to gear up to open the field hospital.
COVID testing — of hospital patients, of doctors and nurses, and of other people who come and go from nursing homes is being called for by The Rhode Island Health Care Association. RI had changed its rules to require only one negative test to be placed in a nursing home – the association wants two negative tests.
At least 100 people protested New Hampshire Republican Gov. Chris Sununu’s new mask mandate, chanting, “Breathe free or die,” and “We will not comply,” outside his Newfields home Sunday.
The University of Maine System is in the midst of an effort called “safe departure testing” to avoid sending students home for Thanksgiving with the coronavirus.
The federal prison system will be among the first government agencies to receive the coronavirus vaccine, though initial allotments of the vaccine will be given to staff and not to inmates, even though sickened prisoners vastly outnumber sickened staff, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.
Massachusetts has awarded $650,000 in grants to community and faith-based groups designed to help spread and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in communities of color in cities and towns hardest hit by the disease.
In Massachusetts, new rapid COVID-19 testing technology can be used for screening visitors at long-term care facilities
Starting 11/23, Warwick City Hall is closed – there are drop boxes for payment drop-offs – or contact individual departments for more info.
A first-ever Calamari Festival for Federal Hill for August of 2021, to attract 15,000 and promote calamari and the fishing industry, is on hold.
Mary Zanor, a spokeswoman for Planet Fitness, questioned Raimondo’s decision to shut down an entire segment of R.I.’s business community ‘despite zero data-driven evidence of significant COVID-19 spread at fitness facilities.’
RI Food Bank says 1 in 4 Rhode Islanders are food insecurity for Thanksgiving.
All employees at Tiverton Town Hall and those within the Department of Public Works will be tested for the coronavirus today after a worker tested positive a week ago.
West Warwick K-12 will go to Distance Learning 11/30 – 12/22.
Spirito’s Restaurant closed on Nov. 22nd “due to the restrictions” having to do with COVID19.
Governor Raimondo’s Message:
“As we head into the holiday season, please remember that we’ve made an important, immediate change to the state’s COVID-19 prevention guidance:
The social gathering limit has been lowered to a single household. This means you should not be spending time socially with anyone you don’t live with, including on Thanksgiving. It also means that you should not be traveling at all this Thanksgiving, whether it’s five blocks, the next town over, or crossing state lines. We’re asking you to stay home and celebrate only with the people you live with.
I know that this isn’t easy — I’m going to be missing seeing my extended family in-person this year too. But the amount of community transmission is too high right now to take a chance, no matter how safe you may feel. Choosing to gather across multiple households puts yourself, the people you are with, and anyone you interact with for the next two weeks in danger of getting the virus. So while this may not be easy, it’s necessary, and I hope that you’ll find a way to celebrate with friends and family remotely. If we all do it, we can turn things around and save lives. We’re all in this together.”
Testing will be available starting this weekend at TF Green Airport
CVS is preparing to quickly begin vaccinations. CEO Larry Merlo interviewed on national CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/cvs-health-ceo-says-company-prepared-to-quickly-begin-vaccinations/#x
Massachusetts is planning a statewide COVID-19 public awareness campaign that will run on television and digital platforms. The #GetBackMass campaign highlights the three steps everyone should take — wearing a mask, keeping a safe distance, and getting tested –- to protect themselves and their loved ones from the coronavirus.
Massachusetts Public Service Campaign Begins: