9 Major Coronavirus Developments—March 16, 2020

Numbers:

20 Cases in Rhode Island - no new cases announced Sunday

164 Cases in Massachusetts

167,000 Cases globally

6,440 Deaths globally

3.8% Mortality rate globally 

7.3% Mortality rate in Italy

1.8% Mortality rate in the U.S.

Stock Futures Point Down

Despite the unprecedented cut by the Federal Reserve on Sunday night, stock futures are pointing down.

"U.S. equity futures and global stocks tumbled after the Fed slashed its benchmark interest rate to near zero, a sign that investors remain worried that the coronavirus will fuel a recession even with borrowing costs dropping," reports the Wall Street Journal on Monday. 

European Stocks Tumble

The Financial Times reports, "European stocks tumbled on Monday, as sweeping central bank intervention failed to staunch the wave of volatility that has shaken global markets.

The FTSE 100 fell 4.7 percent at the open, taking losses so far this year for the London blue-chip index to more than 30 percent. The sell-off was widespread across Europe: Germany’s Dax and France’s Cac 40 were 4.6 percent lower."

Newport Visitors Center Closed Beginning Monday

You know it is serious when the tourism office closes in Newport.

Due to the state of emergency declared by Governor Gina Raimondo and the City of Newport, as well as the guidelines issued by the RIDOH and CDC, the Newport Visitors Information Center will be closed for two weeks beginning Monday, March 16. Please note: the public restrooms in the attached bus depot will remain open and accessible.

"Discover Newport is committed to the safety of the travelers we serve and our staff, and we are grateful for the healthcare workers and leaders who are working to contain the coronavirus. We will re-evaluate any necessary extended closures as the situation dictates," said the organization.

Restaurants Move to Takeout Only

Numerous restaurants have announced they are closing for two weeks and others are moving to takeout only.

Plant City in Providence expanded delivery and curbside pickup and shuttered in-house dining. 

"10 MILES! By popular demand, we’re increasing delivery to a 10 mile radius! our app is available for download through the links below! We’d be so appreciative if you could help us spread the word + tag some friends

Thank you for supporting us and our amazing team of employees, while enjoying our delicious food at home.  if there’s an item you’d like that’s not on our app (brunch, PVDonuts, Marketplace beyond the 100+ on our app etc.) call us and we’d be happy to place your order over the phone, if the items are available.

We also have CURBSIDE GLOVED PICK-UP! Simply order on our app for pick-up, and when you get to the curb next to PLANT CITY on S. Water St, call us at 401.429.2029 and we’ll bring it out to you with gloved service."

Chelo’s Restaurant Group has announced the decision to close their dining rooms and provide take out only from all eight of their Rhode Island locations until further notice in light of ongoing COVID-19 concerns.

“We’ve never been faced with making a decision like this in our company’s 65-year history,” Jarod Chelo of Chelo’s Restaurant Group states, “But the health and safety of our employees, guests and the community is of the utmost importance so we feel it is the necessary action to take.” The restaurant group is offering curbside pickup as well as a ten percent discount as a way to help ease the financial burden on the community."

 

CDC: No Gatherings of 50 or More

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now urging a stop to gatherings of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks.

The guidance states: 

Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.

Therefore, CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.

Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing.  When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual.

Rhode Island Needs More Hospital Resources

Former Rhode Island Director of Health Michael Fine said these next two weeks are critical for Rhode Island.

Fine said the state needs to develop more spaces for isolation of those with coronavirus, and that the healthcare system needs to develop more depth in the number of ICU units.

He warns that this is the "calm" before the significant cases hit. 

Day Care Centers Closed

Governor Gina Raimondo on Sunday announced a change in policy, after last week announcing that schools will be closed this week but childcare centers could stay open -- now, Raimondo is urging them to be closed. 

"Childcare centers — I’m calling on childcare centers to close for the week," said Raimondo. "We are directing all child care centers, YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs — please shut down staring tomorrow. At this time our direction is to avoid large groups. We’re working overtime to make provision for the children of first responders and health care workers — I don’t have an announcement [on that yet]."

"Rhode Islanders are doing a great job. What we’re putting in place is the right direction and working — it’s going to save lives, plain and simple," she added. 

More Restrictions Are Coming

Governor Gina Raimondo is holding a press conference at 10 AM

Vice President Mike Pence is conducting a briefing at 10:30 AM

Both are expected to announce further restrictions and policy updates.

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