Today I am identifying houses of worship churches, synagogue, and mosques as essential places that provide essential services, Mr. Trump said at a hastily scheduled briefing at the White House on Friday according to the New York Times. , . Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential but have left out churches and other houses of worship. Its not right.Trump went further, threatening to override the governors if they did not follow his order. I call upon governors to allow our churches and places of worship to open right now, he said. If theres any question, theyre going to have to call me, but theyre not going to be successful in that call.However, it was timed just so because the CDC issued a number of long-delayed guidelines with suggestions for steps that houses of worship can take to curb the spread of the virus.Religious institutions should provide soap and hand sanitizer, encourage the use of cloth masks and clean their facilities daily if they want to open while coronavirus is still spreading, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in newly released guidance Friday.

US President Donald Trump, flanked by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar (R), US Vice President Mike Pence (L) and CDC Principal Deputy Director Anne Schuchat, holds a news conference on the COVID-19 outbreak

Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, AFP

Dr. Robert Redfield speaks on the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2020.

The White House

A health worker wearing protective gear sits on an ambulance next to the body of a COVID-19 victim before burial at a graveyard in New Delhi

SAJJAD HUSSAIN, AFP

This opinion article was written by an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily intended to reflect those of DigitalJournal.com

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article image Op-Ed: CDC bows to Trump and issues watered-down guidance on reopening - Digital Journal

The South Fork beaches will be open this summer, butyou may need a Hamptons address to visit them. The Hampton Jitney will run, but initially only for essential travel. And the star-studded East Hampton Artists & Writers Charity Softball Game is still on the calendar, but may be played without spectators for the first time in its 72-year history.

The COVID-19 pandemic cant stop summer from coming to the Hamptons, but it might put a stop to jam-packed restaurants and bars, Main Streets crowded with boutique shoppersand elegant soirees.

City dwellers havefilled up rental and second homes since the lockdown began in March, irritating locals who suddenly found bare grocery store shelves and feared theirhealth system could become overwhelmed.

As Memorial Day approaches, it remains to be seen how the populations shopping, dining and entertaining habits will be affected by the social distancing guidelines, face mask requirements and other measures meant to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Business owners who rely on the season between MemorialDay and Labor Day to carry them through the rest of the year are adjusting offering more takeout instead of sit-down service, canceling major fundraisers, closing spas and poolsto offer the high-society social experience of a summer out east.

You are not going to see formal events where you will have the long, beautiful Hamptons farm tables with the twinkling lights. Thats not happening, said event planner Victoria Dubin, who typically plans six to eight summer Hamptons parties ayear. But there are a lot of creative concepts. We are exploring all options to entertain people safely.

For Dubins clients, that could mean smaller parties with fewer guests and serving meals in branded boxes when restrictions ease.

From restaurants to charities to party planners, businesses and organizations on the South Fork will have to adapt to make it through the season.

Heres a look at the start to summer 2020.

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BEACHES

Many of the South Forks beaches will be open this year, butwont welcome the masses.

Southampton Town plans to staff just three of its beaches initially Long Beach in Sag Harbor, Sagg Main in Bridgehampton and Ponquogue in Hampton Bays. Day passes for nonresidentswill not be sold, at least not initially.

Beachgoers will be required to wear a face mask while on pavilions or walkways, but not if they are sun bathing and can maintain a 6-foot distance from others, said Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman. Bathrooms will be sanitized every two hours and picnic tables will be removed from public areas.

Its a major asset to the South Fork, its something we live for, Schneidermansaid of the beaches. To not allow that when it certainly can be enjoyed safely, I think the public would be very upset.

Southampton Village, which operates perennially top-rated Coopers Beach, will also initially only open its beaches to residents.

Mayor Jesse Warren said the bathrooms at Coopers will be cleaned every 30 to 60 minutes, the village is pricing out touchless sinks and showers, and outdoor seating has been removed.

Warren noted daily and out-of-town season beach passes bring in about $1 million in annual revenue, which the village will lose this season.

East Hampton Town is also not selling passes to nonresidents, and plans to initially staff lifeguards atIndian Wells and Atlantic Avenue in Amagansett, and South Edison and Ditch Plains in Montauk on weekends.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said the popular Cupsogue Beach in West Hampton Dunes will be open only to Suffolk residents.

RESTAURANTS

LosingMemorial Day weekend diners will sting for restaurants in the Hamptons, where dining out can be as much about being seen as the locally sourced fresh dishes.

On-premise restaurant dining is included in Phase 3 of New Yorks reopening plan. The state hasnt offered a concrete timeline for when that will be, but restaurateurs are planning for an early July restart.

Babettes in East Hampton, known for its colorfully plated health-conscious food, snug seating inside and the occasional celebrity sighting, has offered takeout only for the first time in its 25-year history. To-go sales helpbutaren't enough, said owner Barbara Layton. The restaurant has taken to GoFundMe to ask for help meeting its operating expenses.

Is it [takeout] a sustainable model right now? Absolutely not, Layton said. Not for me. Not for anyone.

Still, restaurant owners expect it to remain a large part of their business this summer after dining-in resumes as people feel comfortable dining out. Adaptation will be key, Layton said, as business owners try to preserve the South Fork experience.

I dont think [The] 1770 House is the first place you think of for takeout food so weve adapted our menu for it, said Carol Covell, general manager of the East Hampton restaurant.

Restaurant owners said businesses will have to look to increase outdoor seating this summer if the state mandates reduced restaurant capacity.Those who already have ample space for al fresco dining will be at an advantage this summer.

We are definitely where people go for the experience, but were really, really lucky we have outdoor space, Covell said.

CHARITY GALAS

Summer cocktail fundraisers on lush lawns have long been a big source of revenue for East End charities. Without them this summer, nonprofits are leaning toward direct fundraising and virtual fundraisers to meetoperating expenses.

The Childrens Museum of the East End in Bridgehampton has already canceled its family night carnival, which draws about 700 people and is the museums largest annual fundraiser, said presidentSteve Long. The organization has instead relied on its network to fundraise directly.

The pandemic could alter how money is raised out east.

Everybody knows event-based fundraising is the most inefficient way to raise support for nonprofit organizations, but its the way fundraising has always been done [out east], Long said.

The childrens museum has remained closed during the coronavirus outbreak, as museums are in Phase 4 of New Yorks reopening plan. It hasbecome a food pantry serving about 100 families dealing with food insecurity amid the pandemic.

We discovered there was incredible unemployment, there was tremendous food insecurity and we decided we needed to do something about that, Long said.

The Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center in East Quogue is still hoping it can hold its Get Wild event in August, often attended by celebritiessuch as Beth Stern and Nicky Hilton. The event brings in about one-third of its annual budget, said office manager Amanda Daley.

East End Hospice has canceled its summer fundraising events, including its June gala at a private estate in Quogue. The party brought in about $500,000 last year and the organization relies on philanthropy to raise about 20% of its $9 million annual budget, said CEO Mary Crosby.

Instead the organization will provide virtual content thanking its donors and mail its annual event journal.

Everybody loves a good party, but many donors give to us because they believe in our work, and I dont think that will change this year, Crosby said.

GETTING THERE

The Hampton Jitney is running on a limited schedule for essential travel only, for the time being.

This is expected to change as NYC and Long Islands pause status changes, a company spokeswoman said in an email.

The Jitney is still accepting reservations online and does not ask passengers to specify their reason for travel. Buses will be cleaned and disinfected between trips, and the company is offering free travel to hospital workers.

Blade, which offers pay-by-the-seat helicopter flights between Manhattan and the Hamptons, will offer weekly delivery service for those staying out east to transport critical items and other goods.

While we are prioritizing medications and other health-related items, you may request other deliveries for your extended stay, such as clothing, electronics, food for specialized diets, school materials, etc., the company stateson its website.

Pilots and passengers will undergo touchless temperature checks and will be required to wear masks.The interior of the aircrafts will be electrostatically decontaminated.

Seaplane passengers will each have their own window seat, according to Blades website.

The Long Island Rail Road is still running on a reduced schedule and is not encouraging tourism travel.LIRR president Phillip Eng at a news conference Thursday reiterated that trains are for essential travel,not vacationers.

STAYING ...

Hotels and motels are considered essential businessesand plan to open, but with some modifications.

The Montauk Beach House hoteldelayed its opening from May 1 until Memorial Day weekend and is instituting increased cleaningprotocols, said CEO Larry Siedlick.

Hand sanitizer will be available in every room and in common areas, the housekeeping staff has been retrained in enhanced cleaning protocols and will wear personal protective equipment, and all frequently touched surfaces will be sanitized multiple times per day, according to the hotels website.

While the Montauk Beach House is typically about 50%to 75% booked for the season by Memorial Day, the number now stands at about 20% to 30%, Siedlick said, adding that he and his peers are optimistic people will come as state restrictions ease.

Bookings usually start to pick up after January 15. Thats been virtually nonexistent until recently, Siedlick said. You can see when the weather is good people are going to come.

Among the steps being taken by nearby Gurneys are complimentary masks and sanitizing wipesprovided in guest rooms, in-room activities forchildren and sanitizing stations throughout the property, according to its website.

The spa, pools and fitness center are also closed.

... AND PLAYING

Cuomo has said no attractive nuisances will be allowed when the state begins reopening, which is unfortunate news for those looking to enjoy Hamptons landmarks and marquee events.

The long-awaited reopening of the Sag Harbor Cinema, heavily damaged in a December 2016 fire, was expected for Easter weekend but has since been delayed. And the Montauk Lighthouse is closed until further notice, although droves of people have been descending on its grounds for months.

The Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center, former home of abstract artist Jackson Pollock and his wife, Lee Krasner, is offering free virtual tours of the property by appointment online. If and when in-person tours do resume, they will likely be limited to six people at a time, said Pollock-Krasner House director Helen Harrison.

Organizers of the Hampton Classic Horse Show held every year in late August said they are proceeding as planned for now.

Naturally, we are closely monitoring the situation, said event spokesman Marty Bauman. Should a decision be made to cancel the event, we will announce it with a press release and on social media.

In Riverhead, the gateway to the North and South forks, the popular Riverhead Aquarium will be closed, said Bryan Deluca, the aquariums executive director.

Aquariumofficials are still awaiting word from Suffolk County officials on when they can reopen, Deluca said. Delucanoted that the nearby Treasure Cove Resort Marina on East Main Street will be open, and the aquariums outdoor bar and grill remains open for takeout orders.

The East Hampton Artists &Writers Charity Softball Game, whose participants have included actor and Long Island native Alec Baldwin and former President Bill Clinton, is also still on the schedule, althoughspectators may notbe allowed.

We dont know if we will have fans, said event president Benito Vila. Usually people are shoulder to shoulder. We are awaiting to hear from the village on what their guidelines will be.

With Jean-Paul Salamanca

Vera Chinese joined Newsday in 2017 and covers the towns of Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island. A Long Island native, she has reported on East End issues for 10 years.

Read more:
Coronavirus interrupts summer-as-usual in the Hamptons - Newsday

PUBS could start to reopen as soon as July - but with boozing only in beer gardens and pints brought by table service.

Ministers are in talks with pub bosses to work out how they can get our locals back in business.

5

The key is finding ways to allow drinkers to socially distance from each other and staff.

July 4 has been mooted as a possible start date.

Pubs with outside spaces are set to open first provided they can offer table service. Contactless payment is thought to be a must and some may use new apps to order and pay.

It is easier to space drinkers out in a beer garden and scientists say the virus spreads less outside, compared to within enclosed spaces.

That means it will be a while before small, cosy pubs re-open their doors to customers.

But big pubs where there is enough room inside to keep people apart could be next to get the nod again with table service to avoid a build-up at bars.

Perspex screens, like those seen in supermarkets, could be used to shield diners from other tables and walkways.

Eventually, when ordering at a bar is allowed perhaps in the autumn screens might also be put up on the counters.

Environment Secretary George Eustice told the Commons: "We are already working with the hospitality and pub sector to identify what social distancing measures they might be able to put in place.

As the Prime Minister has outlined, we intend that the hospitality sector, including pubs, would be able to tentatively start gradually opening, hopefully during July subject to the epidemiology supporting such a move.

He was referring to phase three of the lockdown easing plan, which includes pubs. The talks come as welcome news for lockdown Brits keen to catch up with friends and family over a pint away from home.

Mr Eustice added: "Of course we also recognise that until things return to something closer to normal and they can open normally, hopefully later this summer, then it will not give them all of the trade they previously had."

There were fears that pubs might not reopen until Christmas because of the difficulties with social distancing.

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Pub bosses on Monday called for the two-metre (6ft) rule to be halved.They said most pubs are too small for it to be imposed.

In some cases it would allow so few customers it might not be economical to open.

Simon Emeny, the chief executive of brewer Fullers, said the World Health Organisation advises one metre (3.2ft) which would allow four times as many customers. He said: I think its really important that rules are relaxed by the time pubs reopen.

Jonathan Neame, chief executive of Shepherd Neame, said it would be profoundly challenging to keep people two metres apart and that could force most pubs to stay shut.

The British Beer and Pub Associations chief executive Emma McClarkin warned that a long-term shutdown would have a devastating impact on an industry already in decline.But she said: Re-opening in July will be great for those pubs who can meet the social-distancing measures required by then.

We stand ready to work with the Government to help pubs re-open in a safe and financially viable way as soon as possible.

Actioning advice from the WHO for example to use one metre for social distancing from July would enable many more pubs to viably re-open and serve their communities again.

Brewers and pubs have already had to dispose of the equivalent of 70million pints of beer that had gone stale.

Opening pub gardens gives them some hope and would allow the two-metre rule to stay for now.

Another option is limiting pub-goers to a set number of drinks. This would help to stagger visitors and stop pubs getting jammed making it easier to apply social distancing.The idea was suggested by an expert who is part of a team advising the Government on lockdown.Eyal Winter, an economist at Lancaster University, said beer could be rationed to two or three pints per customer.That method is likely to be preferred to giving drinkers a set amount of time, say an hour or two. There are fears a time limit could encourage binge boozing.Pub bosses reckon both suggestions would be hard to enforce.

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ON TRACKPM plans to ease lockdown in 10 days using track & trace to reopen schools & shops

In mid-May Boris Johnsonlaid out the "first careful steps" of easing the coronavirus lockdown as part of a three-phase plan to get back to normal life.

In an address to the nation he revealeda detailed roadmapof how to get Britain back on its feet, but still keep thedeadly virus under control.

5

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CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW

Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.

To receive The Sun's Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.To follow us on Facebook, simply 'Like' our Coronavirus page.Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day - find out more.

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Pubs could open from July but with boozing only allowed in beer gardens and pints brought by table service - The Sun

Follow the latest coronavirus news in Ireland and across the world on the Independent.ie live blog.

22:30 18/05/2020

Caitlin Doherty, PA

A vaccine could train the immune system to fight coronavirus, according to US scientists.

Neutralising antibodies have been found in the first eight people who took part in safety trials for the experimental mRNA-1273 vaccine.

The drug, being tested by firm Moderna, injects a small sample of Covid-19s genetic code into patients.

The amount is enough to encourage a response from the immune system and the trials are expected to be rolled out more widely in the summer.

Tal Zaks, chief medical officer at Moderna, said: These interim Phase 1 data, while early, demonstrate that vaccination with mRNA-1273 elicits an immune response of the magnitude caused by natural infection starting with a dose as low as 25 micrograms.

He added: These data substantiate our belief that mRNA-1273 has the potential to prevent Covid-19 disease and advance our ability to select a dose for pivotal trials.

21:20 18/05/2020

David Young, PA

Irelands chief medical officer has insisted he would not be going to the Oireachtas committee on Covid-19 if he did not think it would be safe.

Dr Tony Holohan also confirmed that a scheduled meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team has been cancelled due to Tuesdays committee hearing.

His comments came amid concerns over the format of the lengthy hearings.

Dr Holohan, Department of Health secretary general Jim Breslin and HSE chief executive Paul Reid will face questions over two two-hour sessions, separated by a 15-minute break.

Tony Holohan said it was important that public health guidance was complied with during the hearings.

Former HSE director general Tony OBrien is among those who have voiced concern.

Under public health guidance people attending indoor meetings for more than two hours are considered close contacts.

20:40 18/05/2020

ITS early on the first morning Hermitage Golf Club has been open for almost eight weeks and signs are everywhere that things are a little different now.

For a start, signs are literally everywhere.

At the entrance. The car park. The pro shop. The first tee. The clubhouse. The practice area. The toilets.

Some draw attention to walkways that guide you from car to tee-box, all newly erected under physical distancing guidelines. Others offer reminders of expanded, coronavirus-related, on-course etiquette.

17:42 18/05/20

The Department of Health has been notified of four further deaths linked to Covid-19 and 88 additional confirmed cases.

There is now a total of 24,200 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

Chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan said two of of the deaths reported today occurred over the course of the weekend, while the other two are in relation to deaths that occurred during the month of April.

Mr Holohan said: said; On the first day of Ireland moving into Phase One of reopening we have experienced the lowest number of deaths since March 27th.

"We have suppressed the virus and limited its impact on public health. We need to sustain this in the weeks and phases ahead.

Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said; Every death is one too many, but the collective effort to date has saved many lives. We must save more by practising physical distancing, especially in queues and public spaces, respiratory etiquette and hand washing.

16:00 18/05/2020

Four thousand fewer people are in receipt of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment this week compared to the same time last week.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said 201.8 million euro worth of payments were issued to 585,000 people on Monday, down from 589,000 last week.

Last week, the numbers receiving the payment fell for the first time since the payment was launched on March 16.

The sectors so far with the most workers in receipt of the emergency payment are accommodation and food service (124,500), wholesale and retail (87,600) and construction (76,600).

15:00 18/05/2020

Cormac McQuinn

Brexit talks will be in "real difficulty" until the British government changes its approach, Tnaiste Simon Coveney has warned.

Mr Coveney said the latest round of Brexit negotiations have not gone well and there's still a risk of the transition period expiring at the end of the year without a trade deal.

He said this scenario is "the last thing we need on top of the economic pressures on the back of Covid-19".

The Foreign Affairs Minister was speaking as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government insists the Brexit transition period will end on December 31 with or without a trade deal.

14:50 18/05/2020

Amid fears of the seasonal flu add to problems with ICU and hospital capacities along with Covid-19 this winter, the flu vaccine will offered for free to those most at risk.

Minister for Health Simon Harris announced today his intention to extend the influenza vaccine to children without charge.

Mr Harris confirmed all of those in the HSE-defined at-risk groups, aged from 6 months to 69 years inclusive will also be available to access the vaccine without charge. People over the age of 70 already have free access to the vaccine.

The vaccination will also be available to all children between the ages of two and 12 inclusive.

Mr Harris said that work is underway to plan and give effect to this policy as soon as possible, amid fears that the flu could present a "significant challenge" to the healthcare system

14:30 18/05/2020

China's levels of some air pollutants have risen back to above last year's levels after dropping when the government imposed strict lockdown measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic, according to a study published on Monday.

The rebound was likely due to industrial activity, the researchers said, adding there were concerns that after months of unusually low pollution levels, a drive to kickstart economic activity was causing emissions to spike.

"There are early warning signs that China's recovery from the COVID-19 crisis is reversing air quality gains," the Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), which produced the study, said.

Average levels of some air pollutants in China dropped in February to significantly below levels for the same period in 2019, as lockdown measures shuttered factories, curbed electricity demand and slashed transport use as swathes of the population stayed home.

But average levels of some pollutants have since rebounded, and were higher in the 30 days ended 8 May compared with the same period in 2019, CREA said in its analysis of data from 1,500 air quality monitoring stations in China.

14:00 18/05/2020

Close

Vital tool: Scanners are seen as essential to let people back to work. Photo: REUTERS/Vincent West

REUTERS

Ralph Riegel

Common drugs used for pain relief could scupper the temperature checks businesses are hoping will help combat the coronavirus.

Tens of thousands of employees are expected to return to work in the coming days, mainly in the retail sector.

Some firms are implementing temperature checks for staff while others are considering doing so when they reopen. But it is feared paracetamol and ibuprofen hides a high temperature, one of major red flags for the virus.

There has been concern at a number of the Covid-19 clusters at factories despite temperature screening from an early stage.

13:40 18/05/2020

The English Premier League could show more matches on free-to-air TV platforms once it resumes, including during the normally protected 3pm slot on a Saturday, minister Oliver Dowden said on Monday.

Dowden, head of the department for digital, culture, media and sport, said making the games available on free platforms could help to prevent fans from turning up outside the stadium for games that are being shown behind closed doors.

"It is likely to (resume) mid June at the earliest," he told BBC TV. "It would be a good thing to do if we can and I'm also looking as we do it at increasing the number of matches that could be free to air so people wouldn't be tempted to leave their homes to watch it.

"There is a rule at the moment that at 3 pm you can't show matches on TV because people were watching it in the football stadiums, clearly that is not going to be the case anymore, so some of those slots may be available for free-to-air."

13:20 18/05/2020

Bairbre Power

Recommended but not compulsory, face masks take on a new importance in our lives from today.

The inevitable next step will be the integration of protective masks into our day-to-day dressing attire, and this weekend saw the launch of a new look 'twin set' featuring a protective mask and matching dress with embroidered embellishment on the sides.

Couturier Niall Tyrrell came up with the 'twin set' name after responding to client requests for masks matching dresses he had already made for them.

Traditionally a 'twin set' is a short cardigan worn over a matching jumper and the chic, classic look was made popular by Coco Chanel.

13:00 18/05/2020

Ellie Donnelly

Ryanair expects to record a loss of 200m for the first three months covering April, May and June due to the impact of the coronavirus.

A smaller loss is expected for the months of July, August, and September, the airline said in its annual results statement.

The company said it cannot provide a guidance on its profit before tax for this year due to the uncertainty surrounding the economic affect of the global pandemic, "coupled with no visibility on what customer behaviour and demand will be following a return to service."

Ryanair currently expects to carry less than 80 million passengers in its financial year 2021, which runs from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

This is almost 50pc below its original target of 154 million people.

12:40 18/05/2020

Coronavirus testing is to be offered to all care home residents and staff in Northern Ireland, Stormonts health minister has announced.

There had been mounting calls for Robin Swann to provide universal testing in homes amid concerns about the number of deaths of residents.

Almost half (45pc) of Covid-19 related deaths in the region have occurred in care homes, latest figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) have shown.

Around 25pc of all care home residents in Northern Ireland have already been tested, with resources having been focused in homes where outbreaks have happened.

12:20 18/05/2020

David Chance

Businesses will need more support from Government to reopen safely as the economy takes tentative steps towards easing the lockdowns that have shuttered most companies since March.

The call from DublinTown, the lobby group which represents 2,500 businesses, came as garden centres and other venues are due to reopen today in the first stage of a phased plan that will take us to the autumn and as data showed small businesses have shunned a State-backed scheme.

"Supports in terms of grants, reduction to interest only loans, and liquidity measures would be required within the business chain, so that additional pressure is not placed on our social welfare," said Richard Guiney, who heads the business grouping.

12:00 18/05/2020

Michel Scannil

Optometrists reopening from today have urged people to attend, to help alleviate long waiting lists.

As part of phase one of the Government's roadmap for reopening society and business, opticians and optometrists are allowed to reopen today, along with outlets providing hearing test services or selling hearing aids.

The Association of Optometrists Ireland (AOI) has urged people with eye-care needs to attend as soon as they can, to help take pressure away from other areas of the healthcare system.

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, eye-care already had one of the longest waiting lists.

The AOI is meeting with the Health Minister Simon Harris today to discuss the measures being taken and also what optometrists can do to help alleviate the further increased eye-care waiting lists and demand.

11:40 18/05/2020

A Catholic priest in a US city is using a water pistol in a bid to maintain social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Photos posted on social media by St Ambrose Church in Detroit show Father Tim Pelc shooting holy water into a car window as it stopped by the steps of the church on Easter.

Read the original post:
Coronavirus Ireland Live Updates: Four further deaths confirmed as lowest daily figure recorded since March - Independent.ie

But remember, we also have nursing homes, we also have these developmentally disabled homes and so many other areas that also need testing. So again, it takes a lot more testing than we have today, he said during his televised press conference Monday, in response to a question from The Southern.

IDOC spokeswoman Lindsey Hess said the agency is conducting targeted and deliberate testing based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the most recent evidence available.

Hess said the goal with testing is properly and adequately responding to results and providing the best care possible within a correctional health care environment.

If an offender becomes symptomatic with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing (influenza like illness) they are assumed to be at high risk for COVID-19, Hess said in an emailed response to the newspaper. Pursuant to CDC and IDPH (Illinois Department of Public Health) guidelines, these individuals are isolated and tested. Exposed asymptomatic offenders are quarantined and monitored for symptoms.

The biggest known outbreak in an Illinois prison has been at Stateville in upstate Will County. There, 121 prisoners have tested positive, and more than 1,300 were quarantined, according to a spreadsheet that IDOC provided to lawmakers. The vast majority of those who tested positive have recovered, and 11 have died at Stateville.

Read more:
Illinois has tested fewer than 2% of inmates for COVID-19 - The Southern

On Thursday, officials from NASCAR announced they would return to racing at Darlington Raceway on May 17.

NASCAR will run seven events in three series at Darlington and Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Cup Series will begin on Sunday, May 17, with a 3:30 p.m. start time, and will follow that race with another Cup Series Race on Wednesday, May 20, again at Darlington with the midweek race beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The Cup Series will then move to Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 24, and will run the famous Coca Cola 600 starting at 6 p.m. On Wednesday, May 24, the Cup Series will race at Charlotte again with an 8 p.m. start time.

The Xfinity Series will race at Darlington on Tuesday, May 19, and in Charlotte on Monday, May 25. The Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series will race in Charlotte on Tuesday, May 26.

This is NASCARs start to the schedule, and they are continuing to work to secure races to complete the season as it was scheduled.

On Thursday, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve ODonnell and John Bobo, vice president of racing operations, held a teleconference with media to discuss the specifics of the decisions to begin live racing again.

The race will not have fans in attendance, and there also will be several precautions taken by NASCAR to ensure the health and safety of those that will be in attendance.

Bobo explained those steps in detail. To start, they are asking the teams, and other organizations that are coming to the race to self-monitor people for five days for symptoms before arrival. NASCAR also is asking them to fill out questionnaires before arrival and to have an initial screening of their temperature.

Additional screening will be done for essential personnel. Bobo said NASCAR has been working with the teams to try and limit the events to who can attend, and they are doing that by trying to move any operations off-site that they can.

Any personnel going into the infield will be required to wear cloth masks, and since there will be no spectators allowed they will be able to use the entire infield to spread out and adhere to social distancing. The drivers motor coaches will be in the infield but will be spread out much more than usual. They also are going to have one-way walkways, and Bobo said that anyone who does not comply with their rules for masks and social distancing would be removed from the premises.

They also will be monitoring the traffic coming into the garage area and making sure it is limited to essential personnel as well. The situation on pit road will be similar to the rest of the track, with all over-the-wall competitors required to wear fireproof sock masks or use the face screen.

Spotters will be spaced out with at least 6 to 10 feet between them. Temperatures also will be taken at random throughout the events as needed, and all symptomatic patients will be removed and given medical attention as needed. In that case they will be focusing on contact tracing and asking teams to keep logs of who theyve interacted with throughout the course of the day so they will be able to find out who theyve had direct exposure to in the case of a positive test.

NASCAR has taken tremendous steps to ensure the health and safety of all of those that will be participating in the events, and with them being the first major sports organization to go back to live events, all eyes will be on NASCAR and who they handle the situation.

As for what is next for NASCAR when it comes to where they will be headed is a work in progress. ODonnell said that they wanted to have events that were in driving distance for the employees and that Darlington and Charlotte worked out. Once they can get these races under their belt they are hoping that other states will ease restrictions and allow them to race at tracks at further distances.

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Void of vans, NASCAR season set to start on May 17 with stepped up precautions in place - YourGV.com

Despite all of the potential hazards around a house from electrical issues to fire hazards to carbon monoxide, the National Home Security Alliance says that falls are the leading cause of death due to home accidents.

Falls are responsible for one-third of all home-related fatalities. Although seniors are the group most affected by falls, these types of accidents can affect anyone.

A broken bone may be a minor inconvenience for young people, but fractures are more serious for the elderly. As a result, seniors must take measures to protect themselves against falls. These steps can minimize risk at home.

1. Remove tripping hazards. Examine rooms and hallways for potential hazards, such as slippery throw rugs, floorboards that stick up, loose carpeting, or furniture that blocks walking paths. Remedy these hazards as soon as possible. Address loose floorboards and/or place nonslip materials beneath rugs.

2. Install grab bars or railings. Install grab bars in certain locations for extra stability or where someone may need leverage getting up from a seated position. They are particularly helpful near toilets and bathtubs and in stairways and hallways.

3. Stick to sensible shoes. Sensible shoes fit properly and have sturdy, nonskid soles. Avoid walking around in slippers or even in stocking feet, which are much more slippery.

4. Store items within reach. Store items that are used frequently, such as dishes, in easily accessible cabinets and other locations. This prevents having to climb or reach for them.

5. Install more lighting. Poor visibility can contribute to falls. Lighting in hallways, stairways, bathrooms, and bedrooms - even if it is a small night light can be enough to light the way.

6. Reinforce your home's exterior. Falls do not only occur inside. Inspect the perimeter of a property for uneven turf, holes or cracked or uneven patches of walkways. Make sure lighting is working at entryways, and check that exterior handrails are secure.

Falls can cause serious injury or death, particularly for aging men and women. Simple fixes around the house can make things more secure and reduce the risk for falls.

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Senior Life: 6 ways to prevent falls around the house - Main Line

As long as Southern Californians remain close to home and wear masks outdoors, they can still exercise outdoors at many parks and beaches without violating Gov. Gavin Newsoms stay-at-home order. And as the fight against the pandemic evolves and summer nears, the rules are changing almost every day.

Garcetti cautioned that people shouldnt congregate in groups larger than a single household, and that the usual other pandemic requirements remain in place.

You have to maintain a physical distance. You have to wear a face covering, Garcetti said. This is not some sort of green light to slack off.

Conflicts between cautious state officials and restless local leaders came to a head Thursday, when Newsom overruled local Orange County officials to close beaches in Huntington Beach and Newport Beach after they drew substantial weekend crowds.

L.A. Countys beaches are still closed through May 15 under the countys Safer at Home order, and local, state and federal agencies throughout the region are severely limiting access to hundreds of beaches, parks, trails and forests.

Ventura and San Diego counties have been gradually opening their beaches. In both of those counties, as in Orange County, officials have closed beach-adjacent parking lots, hoping to encourage people to stay within their own walking neighborhoods.

This list is designed to help readers keep track of beach restrictions.

Heres an update on whats happening where. If you do go outside for a walk, remember these tips for keeping safe. Local and state officials stress the need to take greater care in maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from others.

City Recreation and Parks officials say most most park areas remain open for walking and running. But they are enforcing a range of restrictions. Among them: All public hiking trails and trailheads in the city of Los Angeles have been closed since March 27.

Also closed are all public beaches, public beach parking lots, beach bathrooms, piers, beach access points and the Venice Boardwalk and Ocean Front Walk (with limited access to essential businesses).

All recreation centers, aquatic facilities, golf courses, skate parks, tennis courts, playgrounds, baseball fields, soccer fields and basketball courts are also closed, as are other indoor and outdoor sport amenities.

In Griffith Park, authorities have close facilities including the Observatory, Travel Town, train rides, the pony rides, the merry-go-round and some roads.

Elsewhere, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro remains closed, as is the Sherman Oaks Castle, the Expo Center in Exposition Park; and the Silver Lake Meadow. Since April 11, walkers and joggers have been required to travel counterclockwise on the 2.2-mile loop trail around the Silver Lake and Ivanhoe reservoirs.

Visitors practice social distancing at the beach in Ventura on Saturday.

(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

About 24 farmers markets remain open in the city, including the Sunday Hollywood Farmers Market, after the city tightened safety and social-distancing requirements in early April.

Henry Brown, 42, exercises in MacArthur Park in the Westlake District of L.A. on March 31.

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Since March 27, L.A. County officials have enforced the closure of beaches and other public lands. (This list details closures.) All of the countys park play and sports amenities, including golf courses, are also closed.

Los Angeles Countys beaches, piers, beach bike paths, beach access points, public trails, trailheads and tennis courts are also closed, under an order that covers beaches in every coastal city and unincorporated area of the county.

Parks officials noted on their website that you can still enjoy time outdoors at your local park for passive use, such as walking, jogging, or leisure time outdoors for individuals or families. Social distancing is still required, and group gatherings are prohibited by the health order.

In Santa Monica, city beaches, the beach bike path and Ocean Front Walk closed March 27 as part of the countywide order to shut down beaches. The citys Palisades Park, which overlooks the beach and pier, is also closed.

In Hermosa Beach, the pier, Strand and beach itself are closed as part of the countywide beach closure.

In Redondo Beach the pier, Strand and beach also are closed. City officials closed the Esplanade area; Veterans Park and nearby parking areas; all public walkways, stairways, ramps and paths to the beach; and a coastal bluff trail between Knob Hill Avenue and George Freeth Way.

On Catalina Island, the Catalina Chamber of Commerce is urging non-residents to stay away. The Catalina Express, which usually runs boats to the islands Avalon and Two Harbors landings from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point, has cut back its service to two round trips a day between Long Beach and Avalon. At the Catalina Flyer, which normally offers one departure daily from Newport Beach to Avalon, a phone recording warned that the boat has suspended service until further notice. The Catalina Island Conservancy has closed its visitor facilities, services and trails.

On March 18, state parks officials closed all state campgrounds. On March 29, they tightened restrictions further, closing vehicle access to the entire state park system 280 parks, including off-road vehicle areas.

Since then, the state has fully closed dozens of parks, banning pedestrians as well as vehicles. Among them: The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve; more than a dozen state parks and beaches in L.A. County; San Clemente State Beach in Orange County; seven state beaches in San Diego County; and four state beaches and parks in Ventura County.

But more recently, some parks have quietly reopened, while still keeping their roadways and parking lots closed to discourage visitors from outside the immediate area. On Monday morning, Carlsbad, South Carlsbad and Torrey Pines state beaches reopened that way, with visitors limited to active recreation and no group gatherings.

At Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area in the Baldwin Hills area of L.A., officials said in a statement that the park is closed to vehicular access but remains open for locals who wish to walk, hike and bike (in parks with bike trails) in the park, provided they practice social/physical distancing of 6 feet or more. This is not the time for a road trip to a destination park or beach.

In the first week of April, Pasadena city officials closed the Rose Bowl Loop, a popular 3.1-mile- walking path around the famed stadium.

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino is closed through at least May 15.

Descanso Gardens in La Caada Flintridge is closed until further notice. The L.A. Arboretum in Arcadia is open; reservations are required to prevent crowding.

The National Park Service has imposed weekend closures on all Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area trails, trailheads, restrooms, overlooks and pullouts in Ventura County. Authorities said those areas will remain open on weekdays, when crowds are thinner.

Those weekend closures begin at 2 p.m. Fridays and reopen at 6 a.m. Mondays until further notice, an NPS release said.

That policy covers Rancho Sierra Vista (including the Wendy Trailhead); Cheeseboro Canyon Trailhead; the Deer Creek area; and all trails within Circle X, which includes Sandstone Creek, Mishe Mokwa, the Grotto Trail, the trails and overlooks along Yerba Buena Road and the Backbone Trail along the spine of the Santa Monicas.

As part of the earlier L.A. County-wide closure of hiking trails, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area had already shut down all of its trails and restrooms in L.A. County.

Also, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority on March 23 closed all of its parklands, trail and facilities close to 75,000 acres of parkland, including all parks owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

The authoritys busiest parks, now closed, include Wilacre Park in Studio City; Temescal Gateway Park in Pacific Palisades; Franklin Canyon Park off Mulholland Drive, Beverly Hills; Ed Davis Park in Towsley Canyon, the Santa Clarita Valley; all the overlooks on Mulholland Drive; Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve at the west end of Victory Boulevard; and Escondido Canyon Park in Malibu.

Ventura County has allowed the opening of county-managed beaches, golf courses and bike shops among various modifications to its Stay Well at Home order. That order, which continues to close campgrounds, gyms, swimming pools and many other facilities, is effective through May 15.

The city of Ventura on April 20 reopened its beaches, pier, promenade and parks, subject to requirements that people keep their distance and dont linger.

The city of Port Hueneme, experimenting with a soft reopening, has reopened its beach (and a parking lot) to walking, running, biking and solo surfing and paddleboarding, but said it would discourage sunbathing or any stationary presence on the sand. Its pier, restrooms, playground and street parking remain closed.

On April 25 and 26, many of the countys shores, especially in Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, were so crowded that photographs alarmed many people. The governor was one of them, and he briefly shut all of Orange Countys beaches.

Since then, state officials have negotiated terms for reopening beaches in all of the countys coastal cities.

On Wednesday, after more than a week of tussling over beach access, state officials sent Newport Beachs City Council a letter approving the citys plan for reopening beaches with restrictions. The city laid out its new rules, which allow activities on beaches from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, on its website.

On Tuesday, Laguna Beach beaches opened after weeks of closure, but they will be open only from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. weekdays, for active use only, under a deal reached between local and state officials. They will remain closed on weekends.

In San Clemente too beaches reopened after an agreement between state and local leaders. In that case, the citys beaches will be open daily for active use only (no fishing or sunbathing). The citys pier reopened Tuesday with social distancing requirements. Beach restrooms and parking remain closed.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, state officials released letters authorizing Dana Point, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach and Newport Beach officials to open their beaches.

This list covers the beaches city by city.

Parking lots at all county beaches, regional and wilderness parks remain closed as well. So are parking spaces at all trailheads; parking lots at Irvine Lake; parking along Black Star Canyon Road; pedestrian access points at Thousand Steps, Table Rock, West, Camel Point and Treasure Island beaches; restrooms; playgrounds; exercise equipment; shelters and trailheads. Pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians were permitted.

Orange County also banned vehicular traffic to Carbon Canyon, Clark, Craig, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Mason, Mile Square, Tri-City and Yorba regional parks. Pedestrians, bicyclists and equestrians were permitted.

Orange Countys Supervisors have also cleared the way for public and private golf courses to open.

The Safer at Home order from Los Angeles County Public Health officials, issued March 21 and updated April 10, prohibits all public and private group events and gatherings through May 15. It also says that individuals and families are not prohibited from hiking, walking, biking or shopping at [e]ssential [b]usinesses, as long as they keep their distance from others.

The order also notes that if local entities (such as municipal governments) choose to impose stricter limits, the county order does not supersede them.

Los Angeles County has closed all indoor and outdoor playgrounds, along with indoor shopping centers and all swap meets and flea markets.

San Bernardino County on April 25 reopened county parks, lakes, rivers and recreation areas. Private and city-owned parks, trails, lakes and golf courses also opened on a limited basis, the L.A. Times Luke Money reports. Big Morongo Canyon Preserve and Mojave River Forks Regional Park are still closed.

Riverside County leaders on April 20 allowed golf courses to reopen, with restrictions. Hiking, bikes and horseback-riding on trails and in parks are also permitted under the countys health order.

San Diego County Board of Supervisors reopened county-run beaches there April 27 to swimming, surfing, kayaking and paddle-boarding but not group activities, sunbathing or boating.

City-by-city details are covered in this list.

Most of San Diego Countys parks and preserves have remained open for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians, but their parking lots and many facilities and amenities are closed.

The U.S. Forest Service has closed campgrounds, picnic areas, bathrooms and other developed recreation sites in its California forests through May 15, leaving Southern Californias four forests Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres and San Bernardino to make their own decisions on trail access and parking.

In the Angeles National Forest, authorities on April 3 closed 23 well-used San Gabriel mountain trails, four popular trailheads and 19 roads.

This map shows the affected areas. The closures include the Millard Canyon above Altadena, San Antonio Falls, Icehouse Canyon and North Devils Backbone trailheads.

The forest order shuts routes to Echo Mountain and Mt. Lowe, such as the Sam Merrill Trail, above Altadena, as well as others leading to Mt. Wilson, San Gabriel Peak, the Rim Trail and other routes in the San Gabriel Mountains.

In the San Bernardino National Forest, whose 680,000 acres include four mountain ranges in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, a spokesman said trails, trailheads, staging areas that function as trailheads and parking areas at trailheads remain open. Hikers should practice social distancing, sticking to wide fire roads instead of single-track trails that are too narrow, the spokesman said.

In Los Padres National Forest, which includes about 1.95 million acres reaching north from Ventura County into Central California, spokesman Andrew Madsen said trailhead parking and trails remain open, as do dispersed camp sites in the backcountry.

In Cleveland National Forest, which reaches into San Diego, Riverside and Orange counties, the list of sites closed includes all trails and picnic areas where an Adventure Pass is usually required.

In the forests Trabuco ranger district, closures include: El Cariso north/south picnic area; Hot Springs trailhead; San Juan loop trailhead; Tenaja trailhead; Trabuco creek picnic area; Wildomar staging area; Maple Springs day-use area.

In the forests Descanso Ranger District, closures include Agua Dulce; Bear Valley OHV (off-highway vehicle) area; and Corral Canyon.

In the forests Palomar Ranger District, closures include Crestline; Henshaw scenic vista; Inaja Memorial; Kica Mik Overlook; Palomar Mountain Interpretive Station; San Luis Rey Picnic Area; Fry Creek Trailhead; Observatory Trailhead; and Barker Valley Trailhead. The popular Cedar Creek Falls and Three Sisters Falls trails have been closed since March 21.

The National Park Service closed Yosemite National Park on March 20; Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks on March 25; Joshua Tree National Park on March 31; and Death Valley National Park (except for California 190 and Daylight Pass) on April 4.

Charlton H. Bonham, Californias Department of Fish and Wildlife director, has postponed the start of trout season in Alpine, Inyo and Mono counties. Once set for April 25, the season is now set to open May 31.

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As of May 7: What's open and closed this weekend: Beaches, parks and trails in Southern California - Los Angeles Times

Britains economy can only restart when bosses ensure their workers are safe.If they fail, they face another lockdown and risk their staff never coming back.

John Allan, chairman of Barratt Developments and president of the CBI, listed steps his business is taking to reopen, in an online presentation to the business groups members.

Step one: social distancing.If workers can be kept apart, they are less likely to spreadcoronavirus.

Barratts, which hopes to restart on some sites next week, will begin with just half the usual number of workers. It will stagger their shift patterns to avoid a surge at rush hour. And the shape of the sites will change.

We are going to widen walkways on our sites the safe walkways people can use to get from one part of the site to another, says Allan.

They are normally quite narrow, probably about a metre wide. We are going to widen those, and when that is not possible were going to put refuges, passing places, so that people can pass safely.

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WW2-style gas masks and surprise inspections: how to re-open Britain's building sites - Telegraph.co.uk

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GAVA/MADRID, Spain (Reuters) Spaniards revelled in a second day of freedom on Sunday, heading outside in time-slots for age groups on the first weekend adults were allowed out since one of the worlds strictest coronavirus lockdowns was imposed in mid-March.

Though Spains appalling COVID-19 outbreak has shrouded the nation in mourning for more than 25,000 dead, there was much-needed relief on a sunny spring day as people at last headed back to the streets, hills and sea.

Surfer Sigrid Cervera, 44, yelled for joy as she jumped into the waves with her board in Gava, a town on the Mediterranean coast outside Barcelona. I have not been able to go surfing for ages so I am very excited, she said.

Joggers ruled the streets early on, before it was the elderly and then childrens turn all under orders to stay two metres apart under continued social distancing guidelines.

We can breathe, exulted one elderly resident of Madrid, Maria Jesus, enjoying a walk in the city centre.

At home, all you can do is open a window, and you open them every day, but it is not the same as being outdoors.

One of the worst-hit nations, Spains death toll climbed by 164 in the previous 24 hours to 25,264, while cases reached 217,466, according to latest health ministry data on Sunday.

But the declining pace of deaths and infections has led Spain to start unwinding its stay-at-home order, with children allowed out under supervision from last weekend, and adults given permission to exercise outdoors from Saturday.

WIFE HIDDEN IN CAR BOOT

Walks and sports are allowed from 6-10 a.m. and 8-11 p.m., while children have the afternoons, and the elderly are given late morning and early evening windows.

This is a great relief to me to get out and run again, said musician Jordi Jornet, 45, who went jogging along the shore in Gava on Sunday after a run in the mountains the previous evening.

Not all were following the rules though: in Logroo, northwestern Spain, police stopped a car driven by a man whose wife was hiding under a blanket in the boot, according to the Interior Ministry. He had said he was taking tools to an allotment.

To prevent overcrowding, Barcelonas city council barred entry to its urban beaches, so thousands converged instead on the beachfront boardwalk.

In the capital Madrid, where parks and other large public spaces remain closed, runners and walkers shared narrow pavements and walkways.

Government spokeswoman Maria Jesus Montero described the populations behaviour as exemplary.

But newspaper ABC said Madrid police broke up 29 groups of teenagers drinking on Saturday night, and Cadena Ser radio cited police sources as saying a record number of arrests were made for breaking confinement rules on Sunday.

Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The relaxation of exercise restrictions is one of the first steps in a four-phase plan to reopen Spain by the end of June.

From Monday, businesses that operate by appointment, such as hairdressers and beauty salons, will resume limited services.

In the next stage, outdoor areas of bars and restaurants can open at 50% occupancy, while groups of up to 10 people will be allowed in public places and in homes.

(Reporting by Graham Keeley in Gava; Nathan Allen, Julien Hennequin and Michael Gore in Madrid; Writing by Nathan Allen; Editing by David Goodman, Elaine Hardcastle and Andrew Cawthorne)

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Surfing and strolling, Spaniards reclaim the outdoors - Metro US