7 Major Coronavirus Developments — Crushing Job Numbers in U.S. and RI — April 2, 2020
GoLocalProv News Team
7 Major Coronavirus Developments — Crushing Job Numbers in U.S. and RI — April 2, 2020
The total number of Rhode Islanders at full employment is approximately 550,000.
WATCH: Former RI Director of Health Dr. Michael Fine on GoLocal LIVE at 12 PM on Thursday
Now, federal numbers were released on Thursday morning. The U.S. jobless claims hit 6.65 million.
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In the week ending March 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 6,648,000, an increase of 3,341,000 from the previous week's revised level. This marks the highest level of seasonally adjusted initial claims in the history of the seasonally adjusted series. The previous week's level was revised up by 24,000 from 3,283,000 to 3,307,000. The 4-week moving average was 2,612,000, an increase of 1,607,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 6,000 from 998,250 to 1,004,250. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.1 percent for the week ending March 21, an increase of 0.9 percentage point from the previous week's unrevised rate.
The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending March 21 was 3,029,000, an increase of 1,245,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the highest level for insured unemployment since July 6, 2013 when it was 3,079,000. The previous week's level was revised down by 19,000 from 1,803,000 to 1,784,000. The 4-week moving average was 2,053,500, an increase of 327,250 from the previous week's revised average. This is the highest level for this average since January 14, 2017 when it was 2,062,000. The previous week's average was revised down by 4,750 from 1,731,000 to 1,726,250.
7 Major Coronavirus Developments — April 2, 2020
Surge Has Not Hit, But America's Stockpile Is Depleted
The New York Times first reported:
"The federal government has nearly emptied its emergency stockpile of protective medical supplies like masks, gowns and gloves as state governors continue to plea for protective gear for desperate hospital workers, according to a senior administration official.
The official said the Federal Emergency Management Agency has delivered more than 11.6 million N95 masks, 5.2 million face shields, 22 million gloves and 7,140 ventilators, exhausting the emergency stockpile."
Undercounting in Italy
A Wall Street Journal investigative report finds that Italian officials are dramatically undercounting the number of deaths:
In the areas worst hit by the pandemic, Italy is undercounting thousands of deaths caused by the virus, a Wall Street Journal analysis shows, indicating that the pandemic’s human toll may end up being much greater, and infections far more widespread, than official data indicate.
“There are many more dead than are officially declared. But this is not a j’accuse. People died and they were never tested because time and resources are limited,” Eugenio Fossati, deputy mayor of Coccaglio, says of deaths caused by the virus.
Properly tallying the number of deaths from the pathogen can help public-health officials map out a response to the pandemic, such as making sure hospitals are adequately equipped for the emergency. It can also influence how quickly and strictly governments should impose social-distancing measures, and for how long.
RI State Temporary Workers Allowed to Work Remotely
After GoLocal was contacted by state temporary workers concerned about being forced to report to work, GoLocal contacted state officials and received the following response.
"With permission from his or her state manager, a temporary employee may telework as long as they are able to adhere to strict security and privacy laws, regulations and standards," said Brenna McCabe for the Raimondo Administration.
"This will be allowed temporarily and until further notice. We expect to provide more information to agencies about this in the coming days."
Numbers
566 Cases in Rhode Island
7,738 Cases in Massachusetts
10 Deaths in RI
122 Deaths in Massachusetts
215,608 Cases in the United States
5,110 Deaths in the United States
950,301 Global Cases
47,312 Global Deaths
194,647 Global Recoveries
Security Increased for Dr. Anthony Fauci
America's leading expert on infectious disease has received numerous credible threats according to law enforcement.
The Washington Post is reporting, " [Fauci] is facing growing threats to his personal safety, prompting the government to step up his security, according to people familiar with the matter.
The concerns include threats as well as unwelcome communications from fervent admirers, according to people with knowledge of deliberations inside the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice."
Critical Food Delivery in Rhode Island
RI officials announced on Wednesday, that the state has launched RI Delivers -- Rhode Island’s connection to help for those living in quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19.
"This service will ensure that Rhode Islanders in quarantine will have what they need to safely remain home and monitor their symptoms," said the administration.
Connections to groceries, home supplies, restaurants, and mutual aid groups are featured at www.RIDelivers.com. For additional information, residents can call 2-1-1.
RI Small Business Fund
"Very soon the federal government stimulus will kick in, [but] that $1.2 billion is weeks away. I need you to call the [Small Business Administration] and get that application in process," Raimondo told businesses on Wednesday.
"If you can’t wait, we in the state are launching a short term bridge loan program for [businesses with] 10 or fewer employees designed to get you immediate cash for the bridge to the SBA, for the bridge to the federal government [assistance]," she said.
"It's a $2 million fund -- a million from [Rhode Island] Commerce and million from Bank Newport. Other banks can pitch in another million bucks. These businesses can’t wait," said Raimondo.
"I’m talking thousands of dollars [for businesses], not tens of thousands," said Raimondo, who said it could be "quickly available" first applying through the SBA, and urged Rhode Island businesses to call 521-HELP.
"I have a feeling we’re going to run through that $2 million very quickly," she said.
