This exhaustive FAQ on COVID-19 was written by Howard B. Owens, Publisher of The Batavian, a local, independent online news publisher covering Batavia and Genesee County, New York. The Batavian is a fellow member of LION Publishers, a national organization dedicated to local independent online news publishers, of which What’s Up Newp also belongs. What […]
Coronavirus Disease
Posted inCity & Government
SBA to resume accepting PPP applications at 10:30 am on Monday
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) today announced that it will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications on Monday, April 27 at 10:30 AM from approved lenders on behalf of any eligible borrower. PPP is a federal business loan that is forgiven for owners if they keep employees on the payroll for at least eight weeks. […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 26: Totals up to 7,439 positive cases, 226 associated fatalities
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Doctor McDonald from the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), provided updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response today at 1 pm. Video of Press Briefing Updates from Press Briefing Gov: Says one day of drop in data does not make a trend but it’s a […]
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Health care workers silently stand in protest against rally to “reopen Rhode Island”
While Governor Raimondo and Director of Health Dr. Alexander-Scott were hosting their daily briefing inside the State House on Saturday afternoon, a rally to reopen Rhode Island was being held on the State House Lawn. The “Knock It Off Rally” to reopen Rhode Island, which was hosted by “Rhode Islanders Against Excessive Quarantine”, brought approximately […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Governor announces #RIArts initiative, launches Shepard Fairey “R.I. Angel of Hope and Strength”
Governor Gina M. Raimondo today announced an initiative for Rhode Islanders to connect through art during this time of social distancing and staying home. The Governor is encouraging Rhode Islanders to create and share family-friendly art – drawings, poetry, songs, essays, photographs, videos, or any preferred medium – inspired by this unique and challenging period. […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 25: 7,129 positive cases, 215 associated deaths
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), provided updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response today at 1 pm. Video: Press Briefing Updates From Press Briefing Gov: We’re still in a plateau, looking forward to decline. Gov: In the […]
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COVID-19 Daily Update – April 24: Positive cases reaches 6,699, deaths now 202; Governor makes several announcements
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), provided updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response today at 2:30 pm. What’s Up Newp will carry it life for you then below. The Latest Data April 24: 6,699 positive COVID-19 cases, […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City of Newport asking visitors to Cliff Walk to wear face masks
In accordance with guidance from state health officials, the City of Newport today announced that it is advising that face masks should be worn at all times while traversing the Cliff Walk until further notice. Earlier this month, parking restrictions were put in place by the City to limit crowding along the trail, however in […]
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Experts will host a free webinar on caring for children with developmental disabilities during COVID-19
By Matt Boxler, Salve Regina University Families facing the challenge of caring for children with developmental disabilities while sheltering at home during the COVID-19 crisis are the inspiration behind a free informational webinar being hosted next week by expert faculty in the psychology and applied behavior analysis programs at Salve Regina University. The webinar, “Caring […]
Posted inCity & Government
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 23: 6,256 positive cases, 189 COVID-19 assoicated deaths
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), provided updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response today at 1 pm. Video of Press Briefing Updates from the Press Briefing Gov: Cases still rising. “We are not out of the woods”. […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
RIDOH receives $5.4 million in CARES Act funds to expand COVID-19 testing and contact tracing
U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, along with Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline, today announced that $5.4 million in funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has been distributed to the Rhode Island Department of Health to boost the state’s COVID-19 testing and contract tracing infrastructure. “This latest installment […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
What’s Up Podcast: A conversation with Colleen Burns Jermain, Superintendent of Newport Public Schools
Newport Superintendent of Schools Colleen Burns Jermain joins WUN’s Frank Prosnitz this morning for our latest edition of What’s Up Podcast. In today’s episode she discusses the status and success of the school system’s distance learning program, talks about a grading system that might be used this year, budget issues, and the status of the […]
Posted inCity & Government, Columns
Gerry Goldstein: Watching the daily twin bill
Though baseball is currently kaput, television provides us with daily doubleheaders in which the pitchers exhibit wildly contrasting styles. In the afternoon games we have Governor Raimondo, whose delivery provides no mystery: She serves up straightforward fastballs – you know what’s coming and you know it will be succinct, fact-based, credible, and even comforting in […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Why there isn’t a one-size-fits-all plan for states to reopen their economies
Hilary Godwin, University of Washington Editor’s Note: How and when states reopen their economies will look different from one state to the next state depending, in part, on where that state is in the trajectory of its coronavirus illnesses. In this Q&A, Hilary Godwin, dean of the University of Washington School of Public Health, explains […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Boston Globe: Rhode Island schools will continue distance learning for the rest of the school year
Rhode Island “State officials plan to announce Thursday that they are extending closures through the end of the school year,” according to the Boston Globe. Read the full story – When it comes to online learning, two New England neighbors take wildly divergent paths NEW: Rhode Island will continue distance learning for the rest of […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 22: 270 currently hospitalized, 181 have died
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), will provide updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response today at 2:30 pm. Press Briefing Updates From The Press Briefing Gov: In regards to data, at the moment, we’re “hovering at a […]
Posted inBusiness
Rhode Island restaurant owners join Boston Celtics’ Marcus Smart to help frontline workers
Through his YounGameChanger Foundation, Boston Celtics’ Marcus Smart teamed up with regional businesses to donate over 425 meals this week to front line hospital workers at Boston Children’s Hospital, Tufts Floating Children’s Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence. For the donation to Hasbro Children’s Hospital, three Rhode Island restaurants – Tallulah’s Taqueria (owner Jake Rojas), Scratch Kitchen (owner […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Cracks in COVID-19 treatment reveal need to bolster primary care
Tuba Agartan, Providence College Every day the COVID-19 crisis reveals just how unprepared the U.S. health care system was. But it’s not only the shortage of masks, tests and ventilators, nor our chaotic and contradictory public health response, evident across every level of government. COVID-19 has also brought into sharp relief how fragmented and disorganized […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Recap: Newport City Council receives weekly COVID-19 update from City Manager
Newport City Council held a workshop on Tuesday afternoon in order to receive their weekly COVID-19 update form Newport City Manager Joe Nicholson. Present for the meeting; City Manager Joe Nicholson,Newport Fire Chief Brian Dugan, Communications Officer Tom Shevlin, City Solicitor Chris Behan, Jamie Bova, Lynn Ceglie, Kathryn Leonard, Jeanne-Marie Napolitano, Susan Taylor, Justin McLaughlin, […]
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Governor provides guidance, advice for how businesses can be prepared for the ‘new normal’
Following Governor Raimondo’s press briefing today, What’s Up Newp asked, “What can restaurants, stores, and other non-essential customer facing businesses do right now (while closed) in order to be best prepared for the new normal/for when you do give them some kind of green light?” If you’d prefer to watch the Governor respond to the […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 21: Total positive cases grows to 5,500, fatalities up to 171
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), provided updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response today at 1 pm. The latest data Press briefing Updates from the press conference Updates from the press conference Governor says misinformation on social […]
Posted inCity & Government
Represenative Carson provides info on changes to upcoming primary
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended virtually every aspect of life, including the upcoming presidential preference primary. Rep. Lauren H. Carson is reminding voters that the primary date has changed, and that there are also changes to the mail ballot system as a result of the crisis. The state has moved the date of the primary […]
Posted inColumns
Brian C. Jones: When we’re dispirited by coronavirus, can surfers show us how to adapt?
The latest message posted by Suzi and Dave Van Ness on their homegrown coronavirus “billboard” speaks both to the challenges of Newport’s rugged coastline and a mindset that can overcome daunting forces like a pandemic. It’s both optimistic and realistic: YOU CAN’T STOP THE WAVES, BUT YOU CAN LEARN TO SURF OPTIMISM – The third […]
Posted inNews
Global tourism industry may shrink by more than 50% due to the pandemic
Faizan Ali, University of South Florida and Cihan Cobanoglu, University of South Florida CC BY-SA Due to the coronavirus, people around the world have canceled their travel plans. Governments and health officials have warned the public to avoid boarding cruise ships and long flights. Major events like conferences, trade shows and the Olympics have been […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Friends of Newport Hospital launch “Our Health Care Heroes” campaign to raise funds for Newport Hospital’s response to COVID-19
Friends of Newport Hospital, a group comprised of community leaders dedicated to the support of Aquidneck Island’s only hospital, today announced that it has launched the “Our Health Care Heroes” campaign to raise funds for Newport Hospital’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 epidemic. The effort is organized through a new website, FriendsOfNewportHospital.org, and invites all in […]