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The Greenport Village Board has agreed to do a trial run of a proposal to temporarily eliminate some parking on Front and Main streets in order to increase the size of the sidewalks and possibly have food, beverages and retail available on those sidewalks.

The increased sidewalk size will also make it easier for pedestrians to comply with spacing restrictions imposed by the state as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sidewalk proposal is a recommendation of the Greenport Business Improvement District, whose president made a presentation at the village boards work session Thursday night.

The impact of COVID-19 on our business community and the livelihoods of our residents and community as a whole has been devastating, BID president Rich Vandenburgh said at the work session, which was held at the Third Street Firehouse.

The meeting was closed to the public, but was shown live on the village website and the public was allowed to send in questions. Trustee Julia Robins participated by phone while the other four board members were present but spaced six feet apart.

Greenport Village is a highly sought after destination location and typically enjoys large crowds of visitors, tourists, and patrons who enjoy all that our village has to offer, Mr. Vandenburgh said.

But he added that the health impacts of COVID-19 have also been significant and will remain for the foreseeable future.

The BID put together an advisory panel of property owners and residents to get opinions and ideas on how to respond to the new normal, he said.The advisory panel, called BIDAP, is now preparing for the increase of visitors to the village as Memorial Day approaches, he said.

The simple fact is that we have a spatial issue in the immediate downtown village, Mr. Vandenburgh said. In other words, there is not enough space to fully accommodate a perfect return to business life as was enjoyed last year and last season.

Moreover, time is running short to prepare as the phases of un-pausing occur The key to creating an improved spatial environment will be to rapidly execute steps within the Village Administrations control.

Mr. Vandenburgh said the mayors ability to exercise executive order powers under the state of emergency can expedite the success of any plan or preparation as outlined in state law, by not having to comply with requirements for public hearings.

A prolonged process of public hearings, comment periods and inaction only delay the ability to implement a plan for success that respects the economic security of its business community as well as the health and safety of those visitors who arrive in our village, Mr. Vandenburgh said. So timing is precious in this situation.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday expressed optimism toward Long Island soon beginning Phase 1 of the reopening, which would include some curbside retail. Restaurants, which can currently offer takeout and delivery, would fall under Phase 3.

The BIDAP is suggesting that the village suspend on-street parking through Oct. 15 for several areas along Front and Main streets other than handicapped parking spots and curbside pickup locations.

The areas suggested for removal of parking spaces are as follows:

The east side of Third Street from the ferry to Front Street

Front Street all the way to Main Street

The west side of Main Street, from Claudios to Front Street

Both sides of Main Street from Front Street to Park Street

The plan also calls for closing First Street south of Front Street an area known as Texaco Alley to both vehicular traffic and parking.

See the Greenport Parklet Study:

A total of 57 parking spaces on Front and Main streets would be temporarily eliminated under the proposal.

The closed parking spots would then be improved as pedestrian walkways and would provide additional limited areas for outdoor retail spaces, according to the plan.

Bill and Corey Sharples of SHoP Architects who were involved in the design of Mitchell Park have agreed to design the proposed area at no charge, Mr. Vandenburgh said.

They have submitted a plan for Greenport Parklets in some of the areas where the parking would be removed.

The parklets would involve putting tables and chairs in spaces where parking was removed, and barriers to separate the areas from cars. The BID also is recommending reducing the speed limit in these areas to 15 mph. The sidewalk in some areas would be increased from 12 feet to almost 20 feet, Mr. Vandenburgh said.

Its all but certain that New York State is going to diminish the interior occupancy of businesses, when the lockdown ends, Mr. Vandenburgh said. People are not going to want to be inside. They are going to want to be outside whenever possible, so we need a plan to create greater outdoor space.

Mr. Vandenburgh said if they have support from the village and the state Department of Transportation to move forward they can complete the project is about four weeks.

Mayor George Hubbard Jr. asked if the BID has cost estimates for the proposal. Mr. Vandenburgh said the BID hopes to have that by Thursday, May 29.

I like this better that the other proposals Ive heard, Mr. Hubbard said, referring to a petition calling for eliminating cars from Front and Main streets.

We dont want a Maritime Festival every weekend, he said.

With Thursdays meeting approaching four hours, Trustee Peter Clarke pressed the rest of the board to discuss the proposal and decide if they want the BID to continue to examine the idea. He said the state probably wont allow restaurants to reopen for indoor dining for four to six weeks, so there is time.

To do nothing would be a mistake, he said. Time is of the essence.

Trustee Mary Bess Phillips asked why the tables arent closer to the stores and further from traffic. Ms. Clarke, a former BID president, said the concern is to have the customers close to the stores.Trustee Julia Robins said she feels the BID should have an alternate plan as well.

Village attorney Joe Prokop said the village could either by an executive order of the mayor or a zoning change allow businesses to have outdoor seating.

Is everyone in favor of doing away with some of the parking on Front and Main street? Mr. Hubbard asked. Thats the first step. Everyone responded yes.

Weve got to decide something if were going ahead with this, he said.

He said he didnt want to have a whole discussion and then learn that board members opposed eliminating parking.He said he will work with village administrator Paul Pallas to set up a trial run to close the roads to traffic on an upcoming weekend, from Friday to Sunday.

The public would be notified in advance that the trial was being done, he said. The village would use orange barrels to close off the parking spaces.

Lets just see what it looks like, and if it helps anybody, he said. We need to know if its going to work before we talk about them building something and making it permanent.

Read the original here:
Greenport will do a trial run eliminating some parking on Front and Main - Suffolk Times

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

Read the rest here:
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.

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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.

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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.

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

Cleaning air ducts can improve air quality, experts say

Keeping coronavirus out of your home might be as easy as cleaning the air in your house and servicing air ducts. However, experts warn there is still a risk the virus can be present.

OCALA, Fla. - Experts are weighingin on whether air duct cleaning can prevent coronavirus.

Its unfortunate that it takes a pandemic for everybody to get to the awareness level, the consumer level up to where it shouldve been anyway, Steve Mores, with Dynamic Air Quality Solutions, said.

Mores works in the clean air business. So does Jerry Cook, who owns Cooks Air Conditioning and Heating Specialists in Ocala.

Weve had people concerned about air quality, duct cleaning, and asking about the UVC and air cleaners like that, Cook said.

Cook shared photographs with FOX 35 News showing what a dirty system looks like.

A clean air conditioning unit, meaning the equipmentand clean ductwork, help you breathe cleaner air in your home, Cook said.

He said cleaning your air ducts and using preventative products, such as UV lights, does not guarantee coronavirus won't get into your home, but it will make the air inside cleaner.

Air quality products work very well on keeping those things from coming back in and then also the UVC can kill the germs, flu virus, and bacteria, along with SARS, Cook said.

He saidall customers should do their research before calling a company to do work.

By having air quality products installed in the home, the UVC, the UVV, the duct cleaning, we can help curb some of these viruses, and we can also help improve some of that air quality in the home, Cook said.

Link:
Experts weigh in on the benefits of air duct cleaning - FOX 35 Orlando

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Regions Covered in the Global Air Duct Cleaning Chemicals Market: The Middle East and Africa (GCC Countries and Egypt) North America (the United States, Mexico, and Canada) South America (Brazil etc.) Europe (Turkey, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.) Asia-Pacific (Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia)

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Global Air Duct Cleaning Chemicals Market with Covid-19 Effect Analysis | likewise Industry is Booming Globaly with Key Players Water Treatment...

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This is the third in a series of five articles that help you find ways to reduce your carbon footprint by looking at the main carbon culprits in the average Americans lifestyle.

If owning a big house in the suburbs is part of the American dream, a lot of people are living the dream. The average American single-family home built in 2018 was 2,551 square feet. Second, only to Australia, the U.S. has the largest houses in the world you could fit 11.2 Chinese homes in the average American house. Thats got to be a good thing, right?

But it comes with a high environmental price tag, increasing transportation emissions through long commutes and encouraging the accumulation of lots of stuff. And it takes a lot of energy to heat and cool big homes. Home heating and cooling comprises 17 percent of Americans carbon footprint.

Because carbon dioxide emissions are a leading cause of climate change, measuring the amount of carbon dioxide released by a particular activity is a useful shorthand for environmental impact. This measurement is called a carbon footprint.

There are many ways to calculate your familys carbon footprint. On average, each American generates 18.55 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. This is 3.5 times the global average of 5.3 tons. And for most Americans, home heating and cooling is the third-largest source of those emissions.

Your familys heating and cooling footprint could be much different from the average. A household in Idaho may not even have air conditioning. But they might run the heater up to 10 months of the year. Two such houses may have very different emissions depending on their heat source. A home in Arizona may spend hundreds of dollars per month on air conditioning most of the year.

Unless your only form of climate control is opening or shutting the windows, you can improve your heating and cooling footprint.

A good place to start is by looking at your habits. Do you set your air conditioner to a lower temperature in summer than you set your heater in winter? Do you turn on the heater on the first chilly day or wait until it is actually too cold? Try dressing for the season and setting your thermostat as close to the outside temperature as is comfortable. Setting the thermostat back 7-10 degrees Fahrenheitwhile you are at work can reduce your heating or cooling load by up to 10 percent. Installing a smart thermostat can help you save energy, too.

Tap into energy-efficiency programs through your local utility. Keeping on top of home maintenance tasks like duct cleaning, servicing your furnace and air conditioner, and sealing windows will improve home efficiency. Even your choice of window treatments can make a difference in both cold weather and to combat the heat island effect.

Sealing air leaks will make your home perform better, saving 15 to 25 percent of the heat furnaces generate in winter and blocking the same amount of unwanted heat gain in summer. For most homes, insulating floors, walls, and ceilings can cut this leakage by about a third. Doors and windows are popular upgrades and at a combined one-fifth of leakage are not irrelevant. But ducts and fireplaces are still bigger culprits.

When upgrading your older furnace, choose a highly efficient model and consider the source of your electricity when you decide between gas or electric. If you live in a warm climate, fans use a fraction of the energy of an air conditioner. They also do not require chemical coolants, which are greenhouse gases. If you really need air conditioning, consider whether you can get by with a window unit, which uses a third as much energy as central air conditioning. Whatever air conditioner you end up buying, choose the most efficient model.

To really slash your home emissions, cut your square footage: Convert your house to a duplex or move into an efficient multifamily building or tiny home.

Whatever your square footage, if youre building a home, use passive design and other green building strategies like earth-sheltered construction to achieve net-zero energy use. And if you choose to move to a milder climate to avoid the need for heating and air conditioning entirely, just make sure you plan a low-waste move and recycle those moving boxes.

Original post:
Good, Better, Best: Cutting Carbon From Home Heating and Cooling - Earth911.com

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS EXTENDEDTHE* FLOOD ADVISORY FOR...EAST CENTRAL MCDOWELL COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...WEST CENTRAL BURKE COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...* UNTIL 1215 PM EDT SUNDAY.* AT 1159 AM EDT, LAKE JAMES REMAINED ABOVE FULL POOL AT 101.25FEET. THE WATER LEVEL WILL CONTINUE TO SLOWLY FALL, BUT REMAINABOVE FULL POOL THROUGH THE NEXT 24 HOURS. THEREFORE, A FLOODADVISORY HAS BEEN EXTENDED FOR NUISANCE FLOODING AND WILL REMAININ EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING OR UNTIL THE FLOODWAVE HASPASSED.* ACTION/ADVISORY STAGE: 101.00 FEETMINOR FLOOD STAGE: 102.00 FEETFORECAST: DUKE ENERGY PROJECTS THE POOL TO CONTINUE TO FALL SLOWLYTHROUGH TONIGHT. EXPECT LAKE JAMES TO REMAIN ABOVE FULL POOLTHROUGH AT LEAST TONIGHT.IMPACTS: BETWEEN 101 AND 102 FEET...NUISANCE FLOODING OF LOW-LYINGAREAS ADJACENT TO THE SHORELINE INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL YARDS,CAMPGROUNDS, DOCKS, AND BOAT-LAUNCH AREAS IS ONGOING. LAKEWATERSMAY BE FLOODING MOOSE LODGE CAMPGROUND, MOOSE LODGE CAMPGROUND RD,AND HOUSEBOAT LANE.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...BOATERS, FISHERMEN, KAYAKERS, AND OTHER LAKE USERS ARE ENCOURAGED TOEXERCISE CAUTION DURING ELEVATED LAKE LEVELS AND DOWNSTREAMRELEASES. AVOID AREAS ALONG THE STREAM BELOW DAMS RELEASING WATER.CAMPERS AND OTHER RESIDENTS ALONG THE LAKESHORE MUST BE PREPARED TORETREAT TO HIGHER GROUND IF LAKE LEVELS CONTINUE TO RISE.STAY WEATHER AWARE AND MONITOR LAKE LEVELS CLOSELY.&&

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Watch Now: Keeping safe from COVID-19 at the pool this summer, and more virus stories - McDowell News

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS EXTENDEDTHE* FLOOD ADVISORY FOR...SOUTH CENTRAL CALDWELL COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...EAST CENTRAL BURKE COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...* UNTIL NOON EDT SUNDAY.* AT 1152 AM EDT, LAKE RHODHISS REMAINED ABOVE FULL POOL AT 101.2FEET. THE WATER LEVEL WILL CONTINUE TO SLOWLY FALL, BUT REMAINABOVE FULL POOL THROUGH THE NEXT 24 HOURS. THEREFORE, A FLOODADVISORY HAS BEEN EXTENDED FOR NUISANCE FLOODING AND WILL REMAININ EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING OR UNTIL THE FLOODWAVE HAS PASSED.* ACTION/ADVISORY STAGE: 102.00 FEET.MINOR FLOOD STAGE: 104.00 FEET.FORECAST: DUKE ENERGY PROJECTS THE POOL TO GRADUALLY DECLINETHROUGH TONIGHT.IMPACTS: AT 103.0 FEET...ACTION/ADVISORY STAGE. NUISANCE FLOODINGOF LOW-LYING AREAS INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL YARDS, DOCKS, AND BOAT-LAUNCH AREAS IS ONGOING. WATER MAY APPROACH STRUCTURES OFF OFCATAWBA AVE BELOW THE DAM AND OTHER AREAS UPSTREAM OF THE DAM.* FOR MORE INFORMATION ON LAKE LEVELS, PROJECTIONS, OR DAM RELEASES,PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGED TO VISIT http://LAKES.DUKE-ENERGY.COM ORCALL 1-800-829-5253.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...BOATERS, FISHERMEN, KAYAKERS, AND OTHER LAKE USERS ARE ENCOURAGED TOEXERCISE CAUTION DURING ELEVATED LAKE LEVELS AND DOWNSTREAMRELEASES. AVOID AREAS ALONG THE STREAM BELOW DAMS RELEASING WATER.CAMPERS AND OTHER RESIDENTS ALONG THE LAKESHORE MUST BE PREPARED TORETREAT TO HIGHER GROUND IF LAKE LEVELS CONTINUE TO RISE.STAY WEATHER AWARE, MONITOR LAKE LEVELS CLOSELY, AND HEED GUIDANCEFROM LOCAL OFFICIALS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.&&

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A colorful corner of the city - Morganton News Herald